What is Android's Factory Reset Protection (FRP)?

Please refer to our updated FAQ page here for the latest info regarding this topic.

Many Android devices on Android 5.0 or higher have Android’s Device Protection enabled by default. This is also known as Factory Reset Protection (FRP). Unfortunately, this cannot be removed remotely. Not properly removing this before shipping could cause a return due to the buyer being unable to use this device.

The following items need to be completed before doing a factory reset:

Lock Screen Security - If you have a fingerprint, pin, pattern, or password, you need to completely remove it (the following verbiage could differ slightly per device):

• Go to Settings
• Select Security or Lock Screen Security
• Select Screen Lock
• Change the Screen Lock to Swipe or None. Some devices will warn you that device protection will be removed upon making this change, so make sure to affirm that choice.

Google Account Removal - All Google accounts need to be removed from the device. You must have data or Wi-Fi enabled to complete this process. The following verbiage could differ slightly per device:

• Go to Settings
• Select Accounts
• Select Google
• Select the email address for the account you want to remove (if you only have one, this will already be showing)
• Select the three “dots” at the top right of the screen (it might say “more” on Samsung devices instead of the three dots).
• Select Remove Account and affirm the choice if a warning pops up
• If you have multiple Google accounts, repeat steps 4-6 for each one

Samsung Devices - Samsung has their own device protection in addition to Google’s. If it has been enabled on your Samsung device, you must remove Google’s and Samsung’s. You must have data or Wi-Fi enabled to complete this process. The following verbiage could differ slightly per device.

Remove Samsung’s Reactivation Lock:

• Go to Settings
• Find and select Security or Lock Screen and Security
• Depending on your Samsung device:
• If you see Reactivation Lock, uncheck it and affirm any warnings, enter your Samsung password, and you’re good to go.
• If you see Find My Mobile, select it, then repeat step 3a.

Remove Samsung Account - To remove the Samsung account, repeat the steps from “Google Account Removal” above, but select Samsung on the Accounts page, rather than Google.

Other OEM Devices - If your device, like Samsung, has its own activation lock and account in addition to Google’s, please make sure to do the necessary research and remove it before shipping.

You’re Done! - Once all the above steps have been completed, you can factory reset your device and ship it to your buyer. You also can find more information on this via our blog post here.