How to Reset Network Settings on Android in 2026 (Step-by-Step)
Donald Bogle
June 22, 2026 08:50
Your Android phone shows signal bars but nothing loads. You just installed a travel eSIM and data won't connect. Wi-Fi keeps dropping for no obvious reason. In most cases, a network settings reset clears the problem in under two minutes.
This guide covers exactly how to do it across every major Android version and brand, what gets erased, and how to get back online quickly once it's done.
What Does Resetting Network Settings Actually Do? #
It wipes your phone's saved connection data and restores those specific settings to factory defaults. Your photos, apps, contacts, and files stay completely untouched.
Here's what gets cleared:
- All saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords
- Bluetooth device pairings
- Mobile data and cellular settings
- VPN configurations
- Hotspot settings
Your eSIM profiles are generally not deleted by a network reset. That said, behavior can vary slightly depending on your device and Android version, so it's worth checking your eSIM status once the reset is done.
When Should You Reset Network Settings? #
This is the right move when you're dealing with:
- Mobile data that won't connect even with signal showing
- A travel eSIM that installed correctly but isn't activating data
- Wi-Fi that connects but shows "No internet"
- Bluetooth that won't pair or keeps dropping
- Unstable connections after switching SIMs or eSIMs
- Persistent "No service" errors after arriving in a new country
If you've already tried toggling Airplane Mode, restarting your phone, and checking data settings with no luck, a network reset is the logical next step.
How to Reset Network Settings on Android (Step-by-Step) #
The exact path varies by brand and Android version. Here are the steps for the most common setups.
Stock Android (Pixel, Android One) #
- Open Settings
- Scroll down and tap System
- Tap Reset options
- Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth
- Tap Reset settings
- Confirm with your PIN or fingerprint if prompted
Done. Your phone restarts the network stack immediately.
Samsung Galaxy (One UI 6 and later) #
Samsung tucks this option in a slightly different spot.
- Open Settings
- Tap General management
- Tap Reset
- Tap Reset network settings
- Tap Reset settings
- Enter your PIN if asked, then confirm
OnePlus / OxygenOS #
- Open Settings
- Tap System or Additional settings (varies by model)
- Tap Backup and reset
- Tap Reset network settings
- Confirm with Reset settings
Xiaomi / MIUI and HyperOS #
- Open Settings
- Tap About phone
- Tap Backup & reset
- Tap Reset network settings
- Tap Reset settings and confirm
Motorola #
- Open Settings
- Tap System
- Tap Reset
- Tap Reset network settings
- Confirm
Older Android (Android 10 and below) #
- Open Settings
- Tap System (or General management on Samsung)
- Tap Reset
- Tap Reset network settings
- Confirm
Can't find it? Use the search bar inside Settings and type "reset network." Most Android builds surface it right away.
After the Reset: What to Do Next #
Once your phone restarts, work through these steps in order.
1. Reconnect to Wi-Fi #
All saved networks are gone. Open Settings, go to Wi-Fi, and manually reconnect to your home or hotel network. You'll need the password again.
2. Check your mobile data #
Go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network (or Connections > Mobile networks on Samsung) and confirm mobile data is on and the correct SIM is selected.
3. Verify your eSIM is still active #
Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs (or Connections > SIM card manager on Samsung). Make sure your eSIM profile is still listed and enabled. If you're using a travel eSIM for a destination like Japan 🇯🇵 or Europe 🇪🇺, confirm it's set as the active data SIM.
4. Re-pair Bluetooth devices #
Bluetooth pairings are wiped. Open Bluetooth settings and reconnect your headphones, speakers, or car system.
5. Reconfigure VPNs #
Any saved VPN profiles are gone. Reinstall or reconfigure them through your VPN app.
Traveling and Your eSIM Stopped Working? #
If your data drops while you're abroad, a network reset often fixes it. But sometimes the issue is simpler — your plan ran out of data, or it wasn't activated before you landed.
If you still need a travel eSIM for your next trip, Roamify has data plans for 200+ countries and regions starting at $2. Buy once, install digitally, and connect. No physical SIM card, no subscription, no airport hunting. Use code ROAM5 at checkout for 5% off.
Does a Network Reset Delete Your eSIM? #
Usually no — and this is the question most people ask first.
A network settings reset is not the same as a factory reset. On most Android devices running Android 11 and later, installed eSIM profiles survive a network reset. The reset clears connection preferences, not the eSIM itself.
A full factory reset is a different story. That will erase eSIM profiles on most devices. If you're planning one, check whether your eSIM provider allows re-download before you go ahead. Most do, including Roamify.
Network Reset vs. Factory Reset: What's the Difference? #
Network Reset Factory Reset Wi-Fi passwords Deleted Deleted Apps and data Kept Deleted Photos and files Kept Deleted eSIM profiles Usually kept Usually deleted Bluetooth pairings Deleted Deleted Contacts Kept Deleted
Only consider a factory reset if the network reset didn't solve the problem and you've run out of other options.
Quick Troubleshooting After the Reset #
Data still not working?
Toggle Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then off. This forces your phone to re-register on the network.
eSIM showing "No service"?
Go to SIM settings and confirm the eSIM is enabled and selected for data. If you're in a new country, double-check that your plan covers that destination.
Wi-Fi connects but shows no internet?
Forget the network and reconnect manually. A stale DHCP lease can cause this.
Bluetooth won't find devices?
Make sure the other device is in pairing mode. After a reset, your phone treats everything as new.
FAQs #
Will resetting network settings delete my photos or apps?
No. It only clears connection-related data — Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and mobile network settings. Everything else stays put.
Does resetting network settings remove my eSIM?
On most Android devices running Android 11 or later, no. A network reset leaves eSIM profiles intact. A full factory reset is different and may erase them depending on the device.
How long does a network settings reset take?
The reset itself is 10 to 30 seconds. Your phone may restart briefly. Reconnecting to Wi-Fi and re-pairing Bluetooth will take longer than the reset itself.
My travel eSIM data still doesn't work after the reset. What next?
First, confirm the eSIM is enabled in SIM settings and set as the active data SIM. Then toggle Airplane Mode on and off. If the plan is active and the destination is covered, reach out to your eSIM provider's support. Need a new plan? Search your destination at getroamify.com.
Can I reset network settings without a PIN?
On most Android devices, you need to confirm your screen lock PIN, pattern, or fingerprint to complete the reset. It's a built-in Android security requirement.
Does a network reset fix slow mobile data?
It can, especially if corrupted network preferences are the cause. If speed is still slow after the reset, the issue is more likely coverage or plan-related rather than a device setting.
Will I lose my VPN settings?
Yes. System-level VPN configurations are cleared. You'll need to reconfigure them through your VPN app after the reset.
A network settings reset takes less than two minutes and resolves most Android connectivity problems. Follow the steps for your device, reconnect your networks, and confirm your eSIM is still active. If you're heading somewhere new and need a data plan that works from the moment you land, search your destination at getroamify.com and get connected for as little as $2.
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