Restart vs Reset — What's the Difference?
Know when to restart your device to fix a problem and when a full reset is needed — and how to do both safely.
Start the guide
Start with the first step, try it on your own device, and use the next-step section at the end if you want a clear follow-on guide.
Guide details and who this is for
Guide details
- Published
- March 1, 2025
- Country scope
- Global
Who this is for
Best for beginners learning on their own device for the first time.
Good to know
Try one step at a time on your own device. If something does not look right, stop there and ask for help before guessing.
Before you begin
What this guide helps you do
This guide explains the task in plain English and gives a safe first sequence to try on your own device.
Best time to use it
Use it when you want to build confidence step by step instead of guessing through menus or buttons.
Common mistake to avoid
Do one step at a time so you can tell what changed if something looks different.
Helpful tech words
Open a plain-English term first if you need it
Restart vs Reset — Know the Difference
These two words sound similar but do very different things. Using the wrong one can cause you to lose all your data.
Restart (safe — no data lost)
A restart simply turns your phone off and back on. All your photos, apps, and settings stay exactly as they were.
When to restart:
- The phone is running slowly
- An app is frozen or not responding
- The screen is unresponsive
- Something is behaving oddly and you are not sure why
How to restart an Android phone:
- Press and hold the power button for 3 seconds.
- Tap Restart from the menu that appears.
- The phone turns off and back on — takes about 30 seconds.
How to restart an iPhone:
- Press and hold the side button + volume down button together.
- Slide the “slide to power off” slider.
- Wait 30 seconds, then press the side button to turn it back on.
Tip: Restarting once a week is good practice — it clears temporary memory and keeps the phone running smoothly.
Factory Reset (caution — erases everything)
A factory reset wipes your phone completely, returning it to the state it was in when you first bought it. All your photos, contacts, apps, messages, and settings are permanently deleted.
When you might need a factory reset:
- You are selling or giving away your phone and want to remove all personal data
- The phone has a serious problem that restarting did not fix
- You have been advised to by a technician
Before you factory reset — back everything up:
- Photos: Open Google Photos or iCloud and ensure backup is complete.
- Contacts: On Android, go to Settings → Google → Backup → Back up now. On iPhone, Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Contacts → toggle on.
- WhatsApp messages: In WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat Backup → Back Up Now.
How to factory reset an Android phone:
- Settings → General management (Samsung) or System → Reset options.
- Tap Factory data reset.
- Read the warning carefully — tap Reset then Delete all.
How to factory reset an iPhone:
- Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode and Apple ID password to confirm.
If you are unsure, visit a community centres’s local senior digital support session or call 1800 10 80 800 for free guidance.
Try it yourself — follow along now Click to expand
Follow along and tick each step as you go. You can use a real device right now!
✨ Tip: Ticking these boxes only works on your screen — nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
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