The HTC U Play, which came out in early 2017, is a mid-range smartphone that comes with the features such as a very good design, nice performance, and very friendly UI. However, like any other smartphone, the HTC U Play can, at times, face problems that have to be solved with a hard reset. The hard resetting of the HTC U Play can come in very handy if you are having software problems, the device is running slow or if you are just getting ready to sell it. You will get all in this guide in an orderly and easy-to-follow manner, namely, the initial considerations, the actual reset steps, and the post-reset setup.
Understanding Hard Reset
Initially, it’s significant to comprehend what a hard reset means. Hard reset, or factory reset, is the process that takes the device back to the state it was in when it first came out of the factory that is the original factory settings. During this process, all data which is made up of the apps, settings, and personal files, is wiped off, going back to the time when the phone was first in the market. This is not only a way to get rid of constant problems but also a good way to get the device ready for a new user.
Preliminary Considerations
Backup Your Data
Your HTC U Play will be wiped off completely so it becomes really important to secure your data beforehand, thus backing up of important information is a must step in the process. The following are ways in which this can be done:
Google Backup:
Go to Settings and tap on Backup and reset.
Make sure that Back up my data is checked.
Connect your mobile to Wi-Fi and the backup of your data to your Google account should be done.
Manual Backup:
Contacts and Calendar: Sync with your Google account.
Photos and Videos: Use Google Photos, Dropbox, or manually transfer to a computer.
Files and Documents: Use cloud services like Google Drive or physically transfer to a computer.
App Data:
Certain applications give the option of backing up the data either on the cloud or on the local file. To find out exact settings for the individual app, you will need to check.
Charge Your Phone
The hard reset process should not be started unless the HTC U Play is charged to at least 50%. This way you avoid the phone dying during the reset, which may result in even more problems.
Remove SD Card
In case there is an SD card on your HTC U Play, it’s best to take it out to stop any accidental data loss.
Steps to Hard Reset HTC U Play
Hard resetting the HTC U Play can be done in two main ways: via the settings menu (if the phone is working) or through hardware buttons (if the phone is not responding).
Method 1: Using the Settings Menu
If your HTC U Play is in a good condition and you have access to the settings menu, this is the best way to go.
Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your HTC U Play.
Select Backup & Reset: Look for the Backup & reset option and tap it.
Factory Data Reset: Click on Factory data reset.
Confirm Reset: The phone will display a list of all the data that will be removed. Click Reset Phone.
Erase Everything: Confirm by clicking on Erase Everything. The phone will then start the resetting process which can take a few minutes.
The phone will restart after the resetting is done and you will have to go through the initial setup process like you are using the phone for the first time.
Method 2: Using Hardware Buttons
In the event that your HTC U Play is frozen or has a total malfunction, you may hard reset it by means of the hardware buttons.
Switch Off the Device: Turn off your HTC U Play; if it is non-responsive, keep pressing the power button until the phone goes off.
Enter Recovery Mode:
Simultaneously press and hold the Volume Down button.
Then, while keeping the Volume Down button pressed, press and hold the Power button until the device logo shows up, and then let go of both buttons.
Go to Factory Reset:
The Volume Down button should be used to move down to Recovery Mode.
Then press the Power button to choose it.
When you see the HTC logo on the phone, keep the Power button down and at the same-time press the Volume Up button once.
Choose Wipe Data/Factory Reset:
Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset.
Then press the Power button to choose it.
Resetting Confirmation:
Use the volume buttons to move to Yes – delete all user data.
Then press the Power button to confirm.
The device will start the process of resetting. After the process is done, you will be able to choose Reboot system now. Your HTC U Play will then be turned on once more, and the initial setup will be your next step.
Post-Reset Setup
After the hard reset has been done, there are some major steps that will be considered as initial setup before the HTC U Play is returned to a usable condition.
The first step is Setting Initial Device Configuration
Language and Region: Indicate the language and the area of your choice.
Wi-Fi Network: Connect to a Wi-Fi network in order to continue the setup and get your data back.
Google Account: Log in with your Google account to get the data that was backed-up and to use Google services.
Date and Time: Check the date and time settings.
Device Protection: Create a screen lock and, if you want, register your fingerprint for extra security.
Restore Data: If you have an old backup, you can choose to install the apps and settings from it.
Reinstalling Applications
The apps that were installed before the factory reset will have to be reinstalled again. The first step is to open Google Play Store, then select My apps & games, and finally, choose the Library section to reinstall your apps.
Reconfigure Settings
You should set your phone according to your preference, such as:
Display: Set the brightness, wallpaper, and the timeout for the display to your liking.
Sound: Set your own ringtones, notification sounds and adjust the volume for each.
Accounts: Add all the accounts (e.g., email, social media) you had configured before one by one.
Restoring Personal Data
Contacts: In the event you had synced contacts with your Google account, they should return automatically.
Photos and Videos: Either download from the cloud service you use or move from your computer.
Files and Documents: Get them back from your cloud backups or transfer them back to the device.
Troubleshooting and Tips
The process of hard resetting your HTC U Play is usually trouble-free, but occasionally you might have problems or you would need some extra tips for the smooth running of the procedure.
Troubleshooting Typical Issues
Stuck on Boot Screen:
If your device remains on the screen that shows the Android logo after a reset, try to force it to restart by holding the power button down.
If the problem doesn’t go away, do the hard reset again with the hardware buttons.
Recovery Mode Not Accessible:
Make sure you’re simultaneously pressing the correct button combination.
If the issue continues, your phone might need to be repaired by a professional.
Backup Failures:
Check if the internet connection is stable.
Make sure there is enough storage space in your Google account or backup service.
More Suggestions
Backup Your Data Regularly: With the help of the systematic and automatic backup process, the backup copies of your files will be created regularly to avoid data loss in the future.
Upgrade App: By regularly updating your HTC U Play with the latest software, you can lessen the number of bugs and improve the performance of your device.
Storage Control: Your device should be checked for storage periodically and unnecessary files should be cleared to keep its speed.
App Control: Deleting apps that you do not use will allow you to have more resources and faster device performance.
Final Words
One of the most useful ways to get rid of software issues that won’t go away is to hard reset your HTC U Play. If you, as a user, will follow the steps in this manual, you can very much reset your device correctly and confidently knowing that you have taken the precautions needed for backing up the data that is important to you and knowing the process very well. One thing is for sure; always think about the consequences of a hard reset and act carefully by making sure the data you consider essential is fully backed up. This knowledge will allow you either to keep your HTC U Play in excellent working conditions or to change to a new user gradually without any problems.