How to Format or Reset Nokia Symbian Phones

Are you observing problems with your Symbian phone?

If yes, then there is a higher possibility that your phone could be infected with the virus. Symbian phones are usually more prone to viruses, and you may see unusual behavior on your phone.

Viruses are not the only reason you want to format your Nokia Symbian phone. There might be circumstances where your settings have completely been modified, or you want to reset them due to performance issues on your phone.

Note: Before Formatting, Backup your SMS, Setting, Contact, and Any important files. Check our guide on How to backup and restore using PC SUITE.

To Reset Symbian Phones, there are two methods that you can choose from:-

1. Soft Reset
2. Hard Reset

 1. Soft Reset/Format:

Soft Reset will restore back the settings to the original state, i.e. Factory setting.
If you are formatting due to the virus issue, then reset your phone using the hard reset option. There is a minimal effect of Soft format on virus/malware.

Type *#7370#

– It will asks for security code, enter your security code, Default Code is 12345.

There are two types of Soft format/Reset options:

• Soft Reset (*#7780#): This is a normal reset. It will load the original settings of the phone. However, it will retain the user’s own data. Like images, music, installed applications, etc.
• Hard Reset (*#7370#): This method completely reformats the C: drive (Phone Memory). All the user information will be deleted. Like images, music files, installed applications, etc. Hence, the phone is set to the default factory settings.

Data stored on E: drive (MMC) will not be affected by these sequences.

Note: The battery should be fully charged so that it may not run out of power

2. Hard Reset/Format:

Hard Reset will format your files and data from your phone memory. It restores the OS firmware from ROM and installs a fresh copy of OS on your Phone.

Hard Reset is the best possible solution if issues are related to viruses, slow performance, or you forgot a security password.

It will delete everything on your phone and reset to factory settings and return it to the same state as it was the first time you turned it on.

Before doing the hard reset/format, it is suggested that you remove the MMC card from the phone.

To Reset Symbian Phone using Hard Reset, follow the below steps:

1. Switch OFF the Phone.

2. Now, Press and hold Green Key + “*” + “3” Key buttons.

3. Now, press the power button and switch on the phone while holding these three buttons. Keep Holding all the keys until you see a Formatting screen appear on the screen.

When the screen appears, you can leave the keys and let the format complete until it reaches 100%. (no progress bar or completion procedure shown on later versions of S60V2)

Few S60 phones use Red Call End Button

Note: Please make sure that your device is fully charged before you proceed with formatting the device. If the battery goes down during this procedure, It may result in an inconsistent state of your device.

Update:

All Latest Symbian phones with touch screen like Nokia 5800, Nokia 97, etc. require to use different hard reset buttons to perform Hard Reset/Format.

Hard Reset Nokia 5800:

• Press simultaneously 4 buttons Green button + Red button + Camera button + Power On/Off button.

Hard Reset Nokia N97:

• Press simultaneously 4 buttons Power On/Off button + Space Key + Delete key + Caps/shift key

Hard Reset Nokia N8:

• Press simultaneously 4 buttons Volume Down + Camera Key + Menu Key + Power On/Off button.