Google Pixel 3a XL Reset Guide: Different types of Resets

There are various types of resets that you should learn about if you own the New Google Pixel 3a XL because when issues occur, a reset might be the only thing that could help you. Since there are different resets, it means and each procedure is done differently as well and has its own purpose.

In this post, I will explain briefly each type of reset before I show you the steps on how to do them. So, if you want to learn all of the resets you can do on your Pixel 3a XL, continue reading as this guide may be able to help you one way or another.

For those who are looking for a solution to a different problem, drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most common issues with this phone. Browse through the page to find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work for you or if you still need our help, contact us anytime through our Android issues questionnaire.

How to perform the Forced Reboot on Google Pixel 3a XL

A forced reboot or soft reset can be very useful if your Pixel 3a XL is frozen on a certain screen and would no longer respond. Most of the time, this issue is caused by a system crash and while it may seem like a serious hardware problem, in reality, it’s actually just a minor firmware issue and here’s how you do it:

  • Press and hold the Power key for 30 seconds or until the logo shows on the screen.

If this doesn’t fix the problem or make your phone respond, then try doing the same procedure a few more times and if it still doesn’t fix the problem, then try this instead:

  1. Plug the original charger to a working wall outlet.
  2. Connect the phone to its charger using the original USB cable.
  3. Regardless whether your Pixel 3a XL shows the charging symbol or not, leave it connected to the charger for at least 10 minutes.
  4. After a few minutes of charging, press and hold the Power key for 30 seconds or until the logo shows on the screen.

Again, if the problem with your phone is just caused by a firmware crash, then it should already be booting up after doing this procedure.

How to Reset Network Settings on Google Pixel 3a XL

If your phone has some issues connecting to the internet or pairing with your Bluetooth devices and you don’t know where to look or what the issue really is, then the best thing you can do about it is Reset the Network Settings. Doing this will erase the following:

  • Stored WiFi networks
  • Stored tethered connections
  • Paired Bluetooth devices

When it comes to effectiveness, you can trust this procedure to fix the problem with your device. Here’s how it’s done on your Pixel 3a XL…

  1. From the Home screen, swipe up twice to view your apps.
  2. Tap Settings > System > Advanced.
  3. Tap Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth > Reset settings.
  4. If prompted, enter your PIN or Password. Then tap the Next arrow.
  5. Tap Reset settings again to confirm.

How to do the Factory Reset on Google Pixel 3a XL

When it comes to fixing firmware-related issues on your Pixel 3a XL that you don’t understand, you can always trust the factory reset to fix it for you. This is the most common type of reset as most owners use it to bring their phones back to default settings. Your phone should be properly working and that the Settings is responding for you to be able to use it. If possible, create a backup or copy of your important files and that as they will be deleted and this includes the following:

  • Contacts
  • Email accounts
  • System and app data
  • App settings
  • Downloaded apps
  • Media (music, pictures and videos, etc.)

To proceed to the factory reset, follow these steps:

  1. From the Home screen, swipe up twice to view your apps.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Find and then tap System.
  4. Touch Advanced.
  5. Tap Reset options.
  6. Choose Erase all data (factory reset).
  7. Tap Reset phone.
  8. If prompted, enter your PIN, password or pattern and then tap Next.
  9. Tap Erase everything.
  10. The device will reboot and begin resetting to factory settings.

Once the reset is done, you will have to set the phone up like it’s new. You may retrieve your apps and other data by using the same Google account.

How to Master Reset your Google Pixel 3a XL

A master reset basically offers the same benefits as with the factory reset but it’s done differently. While your Pixel 3a XL must be able to boot up properly for you to be able to do the latter, in this procedure, you don’t really need the phone to boot normally because the fact is you just need to run the device in recovery mode to be able to do this. It is as effective but the thing if your phone cannot boot up properly, then you may not be able to create a backup of your important files and data. If that’s the case and you performed the master reset, then you may lose those files. Nevertheless, if the device isn’t working properly then you will have to follow these steps to do the master reset:

  1. Turn off the device.
  2. Press and hold the Volume down and Power button at the same time.
  3. When the Pixel 3a XL logo shows, release the Power button but continue holding the Volume down button until you see the Android Recovery screen.
  4. Use the volume keys to highlight Wipe data/factory reset, then press the Power button.
  5. Use the volume keys to highlight Yes, then press the Power button. Wait while your information is deleted.
  6. Use the volume keys to highlight Reboot system now, then press the Power button.

Once the phone has finished rebooting, you will be asked to set up your phone again. Make sure to use the Google account you used prior to the reset.

I hope that this guide will be able to help you fix the problem with your phone using any of the reset methods here. We would appreciate it if you helped us spread the word so please share this post if you found it helpful. Thank you so much for reading!

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