How to do a TOTAL reset of Android phone?
Oct 13, 2016 | 10:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 520
How to do a TOTAL reset of Android phone?
My father renewed his cell phone contract earlier this year at a shop in Chinatown. He didn't use the new phone because his old one was still working.
This weekend we tried to setup the free phone from the store (Galaxy 5) when I booted it up it was in Chinese.
I found the option to set the language to English but when I went to update the Android version I got a message saying that the build is incorrect.
I did a factory reset and it again booted up in Chinese.
I believe the store must have put in an edited version of Android so thats why I cannot update it and so on.
Is there any way to get it restored with the real Android?
Thank you
This weekend we tried to setup the free phone from the store (Galaxy 5) when I booted it up it was in Chinese.
I found the option to set the language to English but when I went to update the Android version I got a message saying that the build is incorrect.
I did a factory reset and it again booted up in Chinese.
I believe the store must have put in an edited version of Android so thats why I cannot update it and so on.
Is there any way to get it restored with the real Android?
Thank you
Oct 13, 2016 | 10:42 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
It already has the real Android. It's just a Chinese version.
If the phone isn't "boot locked", a knowledgeable person can replace the phone's operating system with a different version of Android. What are the make, model, and carrier? Someone here can probably tell you if this will be possible.
If the phone isn't "boot locked", a knowledgeable person can replace the phone's operating system with a different version of Android. What are the make, model, and carrier? Someone here can probably tell you if this will be possible.
Oct 13, 2016 | 10:44 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 6,095
Possibilities:
- Seller may have modified the phone to install malware disguised as typical bloatware
- Likely to be a gray market phone direct from China
- May already be rooted
Wonder if this would work for you (flash a new ROM):
http://www.howtogeek.com/162516/how-...ith-a-new-rom/
Note: I'm a "casual" smartphone user, so any talk of rooting and flashing new ROMs and foreign to me. I understand what those mean, but haven't the foggiest clue of how to go about doing it. Took me long enough to just figure out how to use Helium
- Seller may have modified the phone to install malware disguised as typical bloatware
- Likely to be a gray market phone direct from China
- May already be rooted
Wonder if this would work for you (flash a new ROM):
http://www.howtogeek.com/162516/how-...ith-a-new-rom/
Note: I'm a "casual" smartphone user, so any talk of rooting and flashing new ROMs and foreign to me. I understand what those mean, but haven't the foggiest clue of how to go about doing it. Took me long enough to just figure out how to use Helium
Oct 13, 2016 | 1:43 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,140
Possibilities:
- Seller may have modified the phone to install malware disguised as typical bloatware
- Likely to be a gray market phone direct from China
- May already be rooted
Wonder if this would work for you (flash a new ROM):
http://www.howtogeek.com/162516/how-...ith-a-new-rom/
Note: I'm a "casual" smartphone user, so any talk of rooting and flashing new ROMs and foreign to me. I understand what those mean, but haven't the foggiest clue of how to go about doing it. Took me long enough to just figure out how to use Helium
- Seller may have modified the phone to install malware disguised as typical bloatware
- Likely to be a gray market phone direct from China
- May already be rooted
Wonder if this would work for you (flash a new ROM):
http://www.howtogeek.com/162516/how-...ith-a-new-rom/
Note: I'm a "casual" smartphone user, so any talk of rooting and flashing new ROMs and foreign to me. I understand what those mean, but haven't the foggiest clue of how to go about doing it. Took me long enough to just figure out how to use Helium