How to Reset Your G1 and Start From Scratch
| by Rob Jackson on October 25th, 2008 |
|
It came time to part with my review unit of the G1 (Thanks T-Mobile!) and send the phone back to its rightful owner. But what about all the personal info on the phone? The apps, texts, e-mails, AIMs and all that jazz? A quick search of AndroidForums.com turned up an easy way of restoring your G1 to factory settings:
if you power off your phone and hold the home (shaped like a house) and the end (red hangup button) for about 20 seconds you get a triangle with an exclamation point and a picture of the G1.
Now all you have to do is pop open that pretty QWERTY keyboard and there are several keyboard shortcuts you can use to accomplish what you want to do:
Home+Back reboot system now – (Soft Reboot)
Alt+L – Toggle log text display – (Toggles between the exclamation and menu options)
Alt+S – apply sdcard:update.zip – (Not brave enough yet)
Alt+W – Wipe data/factory reset – (What I chose, had to re-register, out of the box settings)
I used the last option (Alt + W) and restored my borrowed G1 to factory settings. I’m sure the soft reboot could be helpful too, should you run into problems a troubled application may have caused. We didn’t try the other 2 options so use at your own risk.
By the way, I couldn’t live without a G1 so I made the leap and purcahsed a G1 with a T-Mobile service plan. I’m still a loyal Verizon customer and will simply have to keep both plans… but I NEEDED the G1. So basically, you can expect the application reviews and insight you’ve gotten at phandroid.com to cotinue since we’ve got our very own device now!
[Via Android Forums]
1. Daniel Howard wrote on October 28, 2008
Or, just go to Settings > SD card & phone storage > Factory data reset
Bonus points for Anderoid having made this so easy that a blog post on the topic is just plain silly. ;)
-danny
2. Garrie Hamilton wrote on October 30, 2008
There is a option in the settings that will allow to do a full factory reset without all that hassle. Simply go to
Go to SD card\Phone Storage and at the bottom of that you should see Factory Reset.
3. Bryan Scott wrote on November 12, 2008
Will Factory Reset erase the information off of the SIM card?
Here is the situation:
Initial setup of G1 used my.name@gmail.com
Want to change that so it uses an address from my Google Apps address, for example: http://www.google.com/a/Scott.com and the Bryan@Scott.com account).
Any information or ideas? TIA
– Scott
4. joker wrote on December 11, 2008
i did that and know the fone wont turn on. can some one help?
5. James wrote on December 17, 2008
Bryan, I did today what you are wanting to do and it went fine. Sym card wasn’t touched and I’m doing the same thing you want to do with my google apps address.
6. Stephanie wrote on December 18, 2008
I actually had the phone freeze up on me so the only option for me was to turn the phone off and reset it the way shown. So the “settings” option may not always be useful.
7. olivia wrote on January 10, 2009
this does not help at all it goes to the stupid bloody turn off? do i want to turn it off? no i want bloody unlock & whatever. good lord im going to burn it
8. atta mohammed wrote on January 10, 2009
i do know how to remove my google account because alraedy i forget my google account
9. AK wrote on January 14, 2009
What a piece of junk! I just received this phone from a colleague and have got tired trying to figure out how to setup my gmail account. Either I am too dumb (which I don’t think) or the phone is pure crap (more like it).
So I thought I’ll bring it back to factory settings looking at the steps above. And now the phone doesn’t event boot – it’s just stuck at this random warning sign at boot up. Doesn’t do anything, doesn’t react to any buttons. Pure piece of crap!
10. Jarrod wrote on February 1, 2009
AK when it gets to the warning sign u must press Alt+W that means press Alt and W at same time
11. scott wrote on February 11, 2009
i did that and it says no sim card then no sim card in phone how do i fix this
12. TUFFY wrote on February 16, 2009
HOW DO YOU GET PASS THE UNLOCK SIGN IN?
13. jeff wrote on February 22, 2009
is there a way to bypas the Gmail set up. i dont have signal where i am but i would like set up the rest of the phone
14. joe wrote on February 23, 2009
how do you reset your phone to get pass the gmail username and password sign in when you forget that junk without erasing all your contacts and apps and stuff?
15. boby wrote on February 24, 2009
well i tried but its showing me ..there is problem to conect with google server,i dont know what i have to do .if anyone know than PLease rpley as soon as possible .
thanx
16. Sparks wrote on February 25, 2009
thanks alot guys this really worked for me 5 star recommendation
17. mita wrote on February 26, 2009
well i tried the same but its showing me ..there is problem to conect with google server,though I’m using a 3G activated sim, i dont know what i have to do .if anyone know than PLease rpley as soon as possible .
Thanks
Mita
18. A.O.B wrote on March 10, 2009
Since re-booting phone I lost music. Tried reloading just getting message:’insert SD card’,while SD card is in it. Been unable to download since then. Anybody with a solution? I am contemplating factory reset but, do not know what outcome will be. Phone doing my head in since I got it.
19. A.O.B wrote on March 10, 2009
Since re-booting phone I lost music. Tried reloading just getting message:’insert SD card’,while SD card is in it. Been unable to download since then. Anybody with a solution? I am contemplating factory reset but, do not know what outcome will be. Phone doing my head in since I got it. A.O.B.
20. Haze wrote on March 12, 2009
there has to be a way to bypass the dam google stuff.
21. Hefrom423 wrote on March 13, 2009
Worked just fine for me. Exellent if you are selling your G1.
22. Shanna wrote on April 8, 2009
This worked out perfect for me. I wiped my phone out. I couldn’t delete my text message threads; kept getting forceclose. So i wiped my phone out and it kept all of my contacts, songs (It didn’t keep the ringtones so but since the songs were still in my music I just had to convert them to ringtone), and pictures. I am so happy :)
23. jean wrote on April 10, 2009
i by a g1 from the internet but the sent it to me lock but how can i unlock it pls
24. bob wrote on May 1, 2009
good shitttt
25. Zulema wrote on May 4, 2009
well what about if you forgot your password or user nam eand its locked? i just tried doing this and it didnt work!
26. jojo wrote on May 6, 2009
i ve been using my phone for a week.and never used the phone lock.my younger brother activated the screen locked,so i was adivce by a friend to place it on factry setting which i did.it has restarted and asking set of questions..can some1 be of a good help here
27. ed wrote on May 8, 2009
i accidently pressed “ALT+L”…HOW DO I GET OUT OF THIS SCREEN?
28. javaun wrote on June 4, 2009
how do you get to the gmail user name log in because my phone isent letting me use my wifi or get on the internet
29. Deedy wrote on June 8, 2009
man i did that…it was working until it showed the triangle over and over and over! wtf…help..you not really helping on that
30. terry wrote on June 22, 2009
A.K – You are such a loser! You cant figure it out so the phone is junk… Yet everyone else can… No way it would be your fault would it???
Loser – Go get something idiot proof like the iphone. Its there for morons like you. Although you may even have trouble with that and freak out… Maybe stick with an old flip phone so to stay at your level…
31. IceBurgz7 wrote on June 23, 2009
Worked like a charm thanks alot to Rob Jackson. To all you haters of the G1 who are not used to good things you should stick to the Iphone or those other second class phones.
32. FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ wrote on July 7, 2009
I FORGOT MY G MAIL AND PASSWORD.HOW I PUT A NEWONE
33. sean wrote on July 21, 2009
it worked thank u i thought i had to buy new one
34. chrisbeezzyy wrote on July 24, 2009
Uhhmm..I have a question..there is nothing wrong with my phone but I’m just wondering…if you don’t have internet on your sim card and you reseted your phone can you still activate it because its gonna need an internet connection for your gmail account. Thanks(:
35. richard wrote on July 30, 2009
i have a g1 i unlocked it and am using on att i also forgot my passcode if i do a hard reset will i still be able to use on att. also will it get me passed the the gmail pass code. thanksw
36. Cd2009 wrote on August 6, 2009
I followed instructions to perform a hard reset holding down Alt and L at the same time which gave me the warning sign. I then opened the keyboard then pressed Alt and W at the same time to wipe and factory reset the G1 once finished I press home and back key at the same to restart the handset.
The handset powered up and on the screen appeared
Welcome to T-Mobile G1
Tap the android to begin
When I try to tap on the screen to begin, nothing happens and I cant get passed this screen
PLEASE HELP
When I press menu APN Settings appear
APN
T-Mobile UK
Genera T-mobile uk
Name T-Mobile
APN: general.t-mobile.uk
Proxy:
Port:
User Name: t-mobile
Passwoed: xx
Server: +
MMCS: http://mmsc.t-mobile.co.uk:8002
MMS Proxy: 149.254.201.135
MMS Port: 8080
MNC: 30
APN type:
SOMEONE PLEASE HELP
37. adonis wrote on August 15, 2009
hey , my g1 says that i need a qmail account & i have already typed it in & it says “thia could be temporary problem or your SIM card may not be provisioned for data sevices. Please try again when you are connected. if it continues, call Costomer Care.” like does that really mean?
38. just helping wrote on August 18, 2009
Do you have G1 service???
39. crazy wrote on August 20, 2009
THANK YOU VERY MUCH THAT WORDED 4 ME. I LOCK MY PHONE WITH THE GMAIL ACCOUND IN COULD NOT GET IN 4 NOTHING.
THANKS
40. nikola wrote on August 24, 2009
my g1 is restarted and i can not get access to internet to “log in” to my gmail account please for some help :)
41. zach wrote on August 28, 2009
MY FRIEND MIKE(MAJOR IDIOT) LOCKED ME OUT OF MY PHONE AND I HAD TO RESET IT!!!!!!
42. _KIN_ wrote on September 5, 2009
you just press “menu” and set up your local APN (just get gprs settings from your provider/operator) and than proceed with your existing google account or register new one. The icon “E” in the top of screen will show you that internet works
43. sharjeel wrote on October 4, 2009
here’s my problem! i reset my g1 at home! and i do have wi fi.
but after reset the phone it ask me for my gmail and for that ii need internet. My question is… The only way is to active the intenet on the phone or there’s another way because i cant do nothing with my celpphone except by an emerqency call .. HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
44. jon wrote on October 5, 2009
Hi, locked the screen of my phone and now its asking me to register my google account which it does not recognize.
I get the same message as everyone here that say “this could be a temporary problem or your sim has no data service”. Can anybody help, this phone is my life! :(
45. beli wrote on October 31, 2009
Help!!! my g1 had been working fabulously for months as a prepaid, whenever i wanted internet, i just went on wifi….. anywho, in an attempt to reset my pattern, i stupidly entered it wrong…(more than 5 times)…. so i did the factory reset thinking the unlocking(code obtained from tmobile cc)would remain intact…. it didn’t and now i cant even get to the screen that asks for the unocking code, please help…im so distraught!
46. Fatal wrote on November 1, 2009
For reset your fone
Turn your phone off; then press the Home key and turn it on. The screen will you show u a exlamative point.After that, you have just to press Alt W and Alt L. It’s all.
After rebooting. There some step to follow until the phone ask you your account or create New.
Thre is the big problem for many people. About this
you just press “menu”(you will see wirelles settings) and set up your local APN (just get gprs settings from your provider-operator) and than proceed with your existing google account or register new one. The icon “E” in the top of screen will show you that internet works
47. xouse wrote on November 12, 2009
If you do a factory reset – how do you get back the few apps that you have paid for? E.g. power manager and Fuel costs those are the only ones I got.
48. .. wrote on November 21, 2009
The market place remembers all the apps you have downloaded/paid for. Go to the downloads section in marketplace and you should find it there.
49. Kayla wrote on December 3, 2009
My son downloaded some app. Which froze my home screen, I can not get to the settings to delete this and reboost phone, how do I get to settings and get this stupid software out without a home screen?
50. emery wrote on December 11, 2009
dude your so smart i appreciate it you help out alot i thought i was about to go crazy if i would have to purchase another g1 i lock my self out my phone didn’t know my gmail or anything
51. steve wrote on December 12, 2009
just bought the phone use. get set of instruction for the reset. dont see how anyone could have problems with it. just wanted to thank you for the info
52. jasmin wrote on December 19, 2009
I CANT TURN MY PHONE BACK ON AFTER THE HARD RESET… HEEELLLLPPP!!!!
53. Nils wrote on December 28, 2009
What is the minimum I need to do to switch GMail account in my G1 phone (developer edition)? (I have seen several variations on how to do it)
54. Sandy wrote on January 1, 2010
I noticed my phone was getting browser signal, then my phone wasn’t dialing calls, now switched to off and can’t get it back on. When I press the on botton only a black screen with some words come up (to connect USB)… does someone knows how to fix this? (reset) or do I need to go waste my time at the Verizon store again? Thank you for your answers.
55. Dani wrote on January 25, 2010
I have an unlocked G1. My dad set it up for me, but of course he doesn’t remember his google password…so I can’t use all the google apps that come with it.
I am using the phone out of the US. I do have internet connection, but I’m scare that I won’t be able to use it again. I don’t care if I lose my contacts, but I can’t just not have my phone.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I’d like to avoid reseting to factory settings if possible….i’ve read a few bad posting here about that.
Thanks
56. mego wrote on February 7, 2010
hey i reeeealllllly need help! my phone locked me out b/c of too many password attempts, now it doesn’t recognise my gmail or password – and all tmobile says they can do is reset the entire phone by clearing it all off…
problem is in the “notepad” app i have typed information that i simply CANNOT lose!!! if anyone has any advice or solution to this problem, i would be forever greatful!!!!!!!! thank you sooo SO SOSOSOSOSOSOSO much!!! <3
57. kevin wrote on February 24, 2010
I c most ppl hve the prob. wit signin, but no resolution to tha prob. hve been post, plz help me to get pass this obsticle.
58. Jai War wrote on February 28, 2010
For the people that have forgotten their security pass code.
Before going ahead with the factory reset below try this: Here’s the solution to unlock without losing your data:
Type you gmail username and in the password field type “null”. You will then be prompted to enter a new pattern and your phone will be unlocked.
59. TOSINO wrote on March 3, 2010
Am having problem with my g1.want 2 set up my Apn, i press the menu button but nothing is appearing,may be am mistaking it or which of the menus,is it the at the left side of the keyboard or the one on top of the toggle?
60. REDL1NE wrote on March 3, 2010
My phone has been going very slow and I cant get images or video from my phone to my new laptop like I was able to with my PC. Any ideas?
61. justblaze wrote on March 11, 2010
how do you get to the gmail user name log in because my phone isent letting me use my wifi or get on the internet
62. charles wrote on March 13, 2010
HI
My G1 is not showing nothing.The keyboard lights up but dont show nothing .
what should i do?