Reset your Surface Duo 2 to the factory settings if you plan to give your Surface Duo to someone else or need to send it in for service.
Important note
When you do a factory reset, it will erase all the data and apps on your Surface Duo.
Before your reset your Surface Duo
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Back up device data and settings. Back up data and settings from your Surface Duo to your Google Account. To get started, open Settings, then tap System > Backup. Make sure Back up to Google Drive is turned on, then tap Back up now. This lets you restore your info from the backup later if you set up your Surface Duo again or set up a different Android device. For more background info, see Back up or restore your data on your Android device on the Android Help site.
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Back up your photos. Make sure you back up your photos and videos.
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To save photos and videos attached to text messages, open Messages, and then manually save the photos and videos that are attached. Back up your photos and videos to Microsoft OneDrive.
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Tap Photos on your Home screen, then Me > Settings > Camera upload, then turn on Camera upload.
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Make sure you know the PIN to unlock your screen and your Google account information. When you add your Google Account information or set a screen lock, this sets up phone protection. This helps prevent others from erasing your Surface Duo and using it if it’s lost or stolen. On Surface Duo, you’ll need to enter the PIN to unlock your screen (if you set up a screen lock). For more background info about phone protection, see Help prevent others from using your device without permission on the Android Help site.
Factory reset your Surface Duo to erase it
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Open Settings, then tap System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
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Tap Erase all data to confirm you want to erase your Surface Duo.
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Enter your PIN, then tap Erase all data again to confirm you want to do this.
Note: If you can't sign in to your Surface Duo with your PIN or fingerprint, try one of the following to erase your Surface Duo and reset it to the factory settings:
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Erase it remotely. If you know your Google Account name and password, you can go to android.com/find and erase your Surface Duo remotely from there. For more info, see Find, lock, or erase a lost Android device on the Android Help website.
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Factory reset using Recovery mode. Use the Recovery mode menu on your Surface Duo, and then erase it that way.
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On your Surface Duo, press and hold the Power button, then tap Power Off.
Note: If you’re prompted to reboot to safe mode, select Cancel, and repeat this step. -
After your Surface Duo is powered off, press and hold the Volume down button, then press and release the Power button. Continue to hold down the Volume down button.
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After a menu appears, release the Volume down button.
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Press and release the Volume down button to change the menu. The menu you want to appear is Recovery mode.
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Press and release the Power button to select Recovery mode.
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On the screen that shows a small robot lying down, press and hold the Power button, then press and release the Volume up button. Release the Power button.
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On the Android Recovery screen, press and release the Volume up or Volume down button to change the menu.
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Select Wipe data/factory reset, then press and release the Power button.
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Press and release the Volume up or Volume down button to select Factory data reset and confirm this is what you want to do, then press and release the Power button.
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On the Android Recovery screen, press and release the Volume up or Volume down button to change the menu.
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Select Reboot system now, then press and release the Power button.
Related topics
Reset your Surface Duo to the factory settings if you plan to give your Surface Duo to someone else or need to send it in for service.
Important note
When you do a factory reset, it will erase all the data and apps on your Surface Duo.
Before your reset your Surface Duo
-
Back up device data and settings. Back up data and settings from your Surface Duo to your Google Account. To get started, open Settings, then tap System > Backup. Make sure Back up to Google Drive is turned on, then tap Back up now. This lets you restore your info from the backup later if you set up your Surface Duo again or set up a different Android device. For more background info, see Back up or restore your data on your Android device on the Android Help site.
-
Back up your photos. Make sure you back up your photos and videos.
-
To save photos and videos attached to text messages, open Messages, and then manually save the photos and videos that are attached.
-
Back up your photos and videos to Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive:
-
For Microsoft OneDrive: Open OneDrive, tap Me > Settings > Camera upload, then turn on Camera upload.
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For Google Drive: Open Settings, then tap System > Backup. With Back up to Google Drive turned on, tap Google Photos, then turn on Back up & sync.
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Make sure you know the PIN to unlock your screen and your Google account information. When you add your Google Account information or set a screen lock, this sets up phone protection. This helps prevent others from erasing your Surface Duo and using it if it’s lost or stolen. On Surface Duo, you’ll need to enter the PIN to unlock your screen (if you set up a screen lock). For more background info about phone protection, see Help prevent others from using your device without permission on the Android Help site.
Factory reset your Surface Duo to erase it
-
Open Settings, then tap System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
-
Tap Erase all data to confirm you want to erase your Surface Duo.
-
Enter your PIN, then tap Erase all data again to confirm you want to do this.
Note: If you can't sign in to your Surface Duo with your PIN or fingerprint, try one of the following to erase your Surface Duo and reset it to the factory settings:
-
Erase it remotely. If you know your Google Account name and password, you can go to android.com/find and erase your Surface Duo remotely from there. For more info, see Find, lock, or erase a lost Android device on the Android Help website.
-
Factory reset using Recovery mode. Use the Recovery mode menu on your Surface Duo, and then erase it that way.
-
On your Surface Duo, press and hold the Power button, then tap Power Off.
Note: If you’re prompted to reboot to safe mode, select Cancel, and repeat this step. -
After your Surface Duo is powered off, press and hold the Volume down button, then press and release the Power button. Continue to hold down the Volume down button.
-
After a menu appears, release the Volume down button.
-
Press and release the Volume down button to change the menu. The menu you want to appear is Recovery mode.
-
Press and release the Power button to select Recovery mode.
-
On the screen that shows a small robot lying down, press and hold the Power button, then press and release the Volume up button. Release the Power button.
-
On the Android Recovery screen, press and release the Volume up or Volume down button to change the menu.
-
Select Wipe data/factory reset, then press and release the Power button.
-
Press and release the Volume up or Volume down button to select Factory data reset and confirm this is what you want to do, then press and release the Power button.
-
On the Android Recovery screen, press and release the Volume up or Volume down button to change the menu.
-
Select Reboot system now, then press and release the Power button.
