The Meizu U20 is a modern mid-tier smartphone launched by the Chinese manufacturer Meizu back in 2016. It is designed to be cheap yet loaded with adequate power. It has started to receive positive feedback especially in the areas where Meizu’s offers are known for their quality and cost. Nevertheless, like every smartphone, there comes a time when one has to perform a hard reset – be it due to software corruption, lost passwords, or plainly wanting to begin anew. A hard reset to most people simply means restoring all factory settings, which means that all data, apps and configurations are clean deleted and the phone after is as fresh as new.
In this review, we will outline each and every step of the hard reset process of the Meizu U20, its advantages and possible drawbacks, as well as provide a comprehensive instruction. Also, we will answer the most popular questions connected with the procedure and how it concerns the device in question as well.
1. Hard Reset Overview
So before we get into the details of how to hard reset Meizu U20, we should clarify a hard reset meaning first. Hard reset is an action when device’s settings are returned back to the original manufacturer’s installation. All the personal information, configurations, and external software products will be deleted from the unit. It is often implemented to fix operating system bugs, getting rid of viruses, or checking the screen lock without intending to keep the phone any more.
Here are some common grounds for a hard reset.
Operating system hanging: The smartphone will occasionally stop responding, slow motion, or have some form of lag informationally that cannot be put right by switching off or cleaning the ram.
Underperformance: After a certain period, the device’s performance can begin to wane due to the buildup of information and running processes, thus a hard reset is applicable so as to rejuvenate the gadget.
Preparing the device for resale: A hard reset is often the last step prior to selling or passing on the phone. It performs the vital function of deleting all the traces of its owner’s identity.
But still, one must be cautious with this option as it is the only option left in extreme cases that one is willing to sacrifice every file and data, which also means that there will be no copy of that information accessible.
2. The Meizu U20 in Focus: Building Knowledge on the Device Prototypes
Before we explore the steps involved in resetting a device, let us take a second to reemphasize some of the essential aspects of the Meizu U20. It is typical for phone users to want to know how other devices compare with the one that they have in terms of performance and hardware components.
Display: 5.5 inches of IPS LCD screen boasting a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
Processor: MediaTek MT6755 Helio P10, with an Octa-core CPU.
RAM: 2GB & 3GB variants
Storage: 16GB & 32GB built in memory, with an option of micro SD card for more storage space.
Camera: 13 MP for the rear and 5 MP for the front camera.
Battery: 3260 mAh, Lithium battery which cannot be removed.
Operating system: Flyme OS (Android 6.0 Marshmallow)
The U20 is a mid-range mobile device that can moderately execute daily functions like web browsing, social media and even simple gaming. But due to old software and hardware, performance problems may arise the users have to force reset the device.
3. In what cases hard reset of the Meizu U20 should be done.
Nonetheless, for all its merits, the Meizu U20 is one of those devices that can be affected by certain situations where hard resetting the device is the only option left. Below are a few exceptional situations when hard reset could be advantageous:
Stubborn Software Issues: If the device hangs or freezes often or certain functions will not work even after a phone restart, such as certain applications, consider performing a hard reset.
Phone Functions Really Very Slow: With the passage of time, several factors like cache files or residual files and app data contribute to a decrease in performance. To reduce this impact, a hard reset is performed to eliminate such files and enable better ease of use of the device.
Locked out ‘cause can’t remember password/lock pattern: If you’re thinking of performing a hard reset because the password or lock pattern has been forgotten, don’t. The device will be unlocked after carrying out the hard reset (though all data would be lost).
When a Device has Been Infected by Virus or Malware: In this case, the phone is still functional, or rather does not respond. The cause of the damage is beyond the reach of any anti-virus software. At this point, a hard reset will solve the problem.
Changing Ownership of the Device: A hard factory reset is performed to erase all personal files such as personal images, contacts or message threads before handing over the ownership of the device to another person.
4. A Complete Guide on How to Hard Factory Reset Meizu U20
Restoring factory settings of Meizu U20 is not a complex process. However, it should be emphasized, that all user data will be destroyed. Therefore, it is obligatory to make all important files, lists of contacts, and audio or video materials saved to memory before starting the procedure.
Method 1: Hard Reset Procedure Using Settings
If the device is still working or has not been locked for an extended period, the settings menu allows you to perform a factory reset on the Meizu U20, which is the simplest method.
Do a Backup of Your Data: Please note that any critical information should be preserved before initiating the reset. This can be done by utilizing online storage applications or copying the data into a PC or portable hard drive.
Access the Settings section: From the main screen, select ‘Settings’ from the submenu of the phone.
Search the Backup & Reset section: Go down the menu and tap “Backup & Reset” or “Factory Data Reset”, if you are using a different version of Flyme OS.
Setting the Device to Factory Defaults: From the menu that appears, tap on “Factory Data Reset” and make sure to respond to the next prompt. You will also get a message from the phone warning you that everything from the phone will be lost.
Avoid Interruption during the Process: After you have confirmed your instructions, the phone will automatically go to reset up and processing may take a couple of minutes. When it is done, the phone will go back to the normal operation state only for you to be faced with the primary setup screen.
Technique 2: Utilizing Recovery Mode to Reset the Android Phone with the Power Button
For instance, if the screen of your mobile device is frozen, or if you cannot access the settings due to having forgotten your password, a hard reset can still be performed when recovery mode is entered.
Switch Off The Handset: Press and hold the on/off button until the smartphone shuts down entirely.
Occupy Recovery Mode: In order to use the recovery feature, simultaneously press and hold the Volume Up button and Power button for a few seconds without releasing them.
Choose Wipe data/Factory Reset Menu: Recovery mode allows access to a menu that is navigated with the volume buttons and selections made with the power button. Next select “Wipe Data / Factory Reset.” from the list.
Verify the Reset: A prompt for Confirmation will be shown on screen. Hit “Yes” to proceed with the operation.
Power down Then Up The Phone: When the reset is done, you will get an option to “Reboot”. The phone will come back on and will be set back to the factory settings out of box.
5. Even After Hard Resettings, Further System Set Up and Configuration
When you perform the hard reset successfully on the Meizu U20, it boots up like a new device. The first thing that you will have to do is provision the device. This is how it goes:
Select Language: Use whichever language you prefer.
Connect To Wi-Fi: Connect to the hot spot in order to upload the required updates and also restore applications from the saved data.
Sign in with Google Account: In case you possess a Google account, ensure that you sign in, so that you can sync contacts, emails, and app data.
Restore Backup (Optional): Should you choose to update data after deleting it, this means that you will have the facility of updating the apps, settings, and the data that you already have in the phone.
Install Updates: As you finish up the process of setting up with the device, carry out the check of the system for updates, so as to confirm that you are on the latest version of Flyme OS devices.
6. Advantage and Disadvantage of Hard Resetting
Each process has its own advantages and disadvantages, and hard resetting is no exception. It is necessary to know these in order to take the best course of action when faced with any situation.
Advantages
Solve the Problems with the Software: One of the software issues that a hard reset can address is the trouble with a program crashing over and over again, one that can’t seem to be fixed otherwise.
Enhances Performance: Doing a reset on the mobile phone helps in getting rid of the residual old files, cache memory and applications not in use, thus increasing the speed and efficiency at which the mobile phone operates.
Removing Viruses: As with any digital device a factory reset is effective and indeed the only way to ‘clean’ the device if in the unfortunate event it becomes infected with such nasty things as viruses or malware.
Allows for Preparation of the Phone for Selling: A hard reset is the most effective way of preventing any personal information from being accessible, especially when the phone is going to be disposed off as a gift or for sale.
Disadvantages
Loss of Data: The most major approved of all hard reset measures is the destruction of all the data that has been presented in the device. Most especially if you have not saved or backed up your information, those files will be lost for good.
Using a Google Account: Should you possess a Google account, feel free to log into the given account in order to enable syncing of your contacts, emails and data within the app.
Restore Backup (Optional) A state of affairs which allows you to return to the same state as before a hard reset provided there was an earlier backup of the system data in place with a protection of provided settings without anything getting deleted ;
Install Updates: After completing the setup process, look for system updates to make sure that your device is up to date with the latest Flyme OS version available.
6. The merits and demerits of Hard Reset
As every other process, the act of hard resetting has its own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding this information is important so as to determine whether it is a worthy cause to embark on a hard reset to solve the issue at hand.
Advantages
Other Solutions do not Work: Some ingrained software problems, crashes, defections, and other issues can be dealt with a hard reset that other methods cannot address in any way.
Improves Performance: It involves deleting all existing data, previously stored cache files, and unwanted applications. This helps in improving the speed and efficiency of the phone.
Removes Any Viruses: In the event that your device is corrupted with a virus or any malicious programs, a factory setting without the inclusion of such applications will erase such programs and return the phone to its normal state.
Ease Lend Out The Device: A hard reset is the most efficient means of ensuring that the device does not retain any personal information when one is looking to sell or give it out to someone else.
Disadvantages
Data Deletion: The most considerable con of committing a hard reset is the fact that the user loses all information present in the device. If all files are not saved to a backup, they will be erased forever.
Useless Reconfiguration: Once you reset the device, you will have to do the setup all over again including filling in the passwords, downloading the applications again and adjusting the settings.
Risk of Device Failure: In some instances, a hard reset can render the device unusable or “brick” it if the procedure isn’t completed properly or if there are serious internal issues with the phone.
7. Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns
Also, just like any other procedure, there are some questions and issues that a user may have with a hard reset of one’s phone. Below are several typical questions pertaining to Meizu U20 hard resetting:
Is it true that my Google account will be gone after a hard reset? Yes, a hard reset erases all accounts associated with the device including the Google account. You will be prompted to log in again at the time of setting the phone up.
Is there a way to restore data lost after a hard reset? Hard reset entails total loss of all files and data. Unless you had backed your data on either a cloud or external hard disk, the data will be lost forever.
Will a hard reset undo system updates? A hard reset will not undo any installed updates. The user will still be at the level of the operating system that was current before the reset; and if any system updates were performed using an earlier version of the operating system prior to the reset. In the event that the Meizu U20 users had undergone an update to a Flyme OS of Android operating system which was of a higher version than what is currently placed, the system after resetting will still maintain that higher version of operation.
Will my battery problems be resolved after I hard reset my phone? A hard reset can sometimes rectify battery problems depending on the cause which in most cases is using the device’s software. For example, this includes the problem of applications running in the background draining the battery even afterwards and certain unresponsive processes in the system that cause the battery drainage. Certain cases where the device battery is physically worn out for instance would be hardware related and hence a simple reboot won’t fix the battery problems.
Hard reset: will it help in purging viruses? Yes, hard resetting a device is one of the surest ways of eliminating any malware or a virus in the phone because all the information and software including the harmful software is erased. However, one has to be careful when restoring any backups as they may also restore the very same virus that has been removed from existence.
8. Steps to Follow to Backup Information on the Meizu U20 Prior to Initiating a Hard Reset
It is important to back up your data before you perform a hard reset on your device to avoid losing crucial files, contact list, and personalized settings. Underneath are helpful top instructions on how to back up your files on Meizu U20:
Google Backup
All Android devices assist in backing up of information using pre-installed Google applications so as to save the phone’s contacts, applications and, in some cases, photographs (where Google Photos is used).
Open the Settings tab and click on Backup & Reset.
Always make sure that the Back up my data feature is active.
Note Backup account section has to have your Google account.
As long as your information is being uploaded to Google, you do not have to be worried about losing any essential data and can go ahead and complete the hard reset.
Manual Backup
Or, if you do not want to use a pre-determined set of files, you can manually back up materials such as images and videos or any other documentation to a PC or SD card:
Using a USB cable, connect the Meizu U20 to the computer.
When prompted on the phone, choose the File Transfer USB option.
Transfer all files of importance to the PC or other external source.
Backup Solutions Provided by Other Service Vendors
There are tons of utilities on the Play Store that can back up virtually everything from text messages, call history as well as application data with ease. Among the frequently used programs are the ones listed below:
Helium: It enables you to back up your apps and data but you don’t have to root your android phone.
Titanium Backup: Is designed for serious developers (root access required) and backs up and restores almost any kind of data on your mobile phone.
Such applications allow for selective back up and restoration enhancing user experience in looking for specific data.
9. Possible Challenges and Troubleshooting During Hard Reset
As the operation of hard reset on Meizu U20 is straightforward, in certain cases complications may appear such as if there are more serious complications in the device. The following are certain issues that the users may encounter and solutions of such issues.:
The Device is Resume in Recovery
At times, after doing a hard reset from the recovery mode, the device may reboot several times or stuck in the recovery mode of the phone. To fix this, do the following:
Press and hold the power key until the device shuts off entirely.
When the phone is turned off, after a few seconds disregard the power key and try to power the phone on by pressing the power button.
In case of further observations, perhaps you will have to restoring the recovery once again and carry out the whole operation. As an alternative, one can select Wipe Cache Partition in the recovery menu – this option is intended for using in order to eliminate temporary files that may interfere with the handset.
The telephone does not turn on after doing a reset
The phone not turning on after performing a hard reset could be an indicator of a different and serious problem such as corruption of the firmware or failure of the hardware. In this scenario:
Please check the battery: Is the device fully charged? If the answer is no, then plug the device to a charger and let it sit for a few minutes before you try to turn on the device.
Re-flashing the firmware: If it is a problem of the system, then it will be wise to re-flash the firmware using meizu provided tools or call for help from the company representatives.
How to User recovery mode if it is Not Available
You could try to access the recovery mode but the button is broken or the option cannot be selected for some other reason; in this case, you will have to find another way of resetting the phone yourself. Some of the phones have a feature that allows a soft reset by certain software command combinations while connected to the phone, but this differs from one manufacturer to the other.
10. Conclusion: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Hard Resetting the Meizu U20
Hard reset of Meizu U20 is handy when one faces issues including software bugs and retrieving forgotten passwords. Like every other smart phone, users should also consider risks of performing this procedure before deciding to do it.
Summary of advantages
Enhances performance: A hard reset improves the performance of the device by removing extra unnecessary data.
Corrects software issues: Performing a hard reset is often the solution to overcome annoying and stubborn software issues.
Contains trophies: Frequently thanks to a hard reset it is possible to get rid of any infecting virus software.
Sells the phone: Clearing all the details should be the utmost importance before giving out the device to any other user.
Drawbacks Recap
Loss of data: or in other words personal Information is deleted, and if there is no proper data back up, that information becomes impossible to recover.
Setup burden: There are several steps involved such as downloading apps, customizing the device and uploading the files which could take so much time.
Possible risks too: Though not common, complications such as boot loops or system non-responsiveness have occurred on rare occasions after hard resets.
To sum up, hard reset Melizu U20 is not a complicated undertaking. It comes in handy to fix many problems as well as invigorate a sluggish handset. On the flip side, it must be the option of last resort given that data will surely be lost. Luckily there are ways of doing it and this requires one to have proper data backup so as to carry out such a reset without stresses. These considerations allow the users to reset their Meizu U20 without remorse knowing that the device will not have any performance issues as it did the very first day they powered it on.