How To Hard Reset Itel A14: Step-by-Step Factory Reset Guide (2026 Update)

If your Itel A14 is freezing, slowing down, stuck on the logo, or locked and you cannot get past the screen, How To Hard Reset Itel A14 is usually the most effective “last step” to bring it back to a clean, working state. A hard reset (also called a factory reset) wipes your apps and personal data and returns the phone to its original setup, which can fix stubborn software glitches and remove problematic settings. How To Hard Reset Itel A14 is also the right move if you are selling the phone, giving it away, or starting fresh after repeated errors. Google describes a factory reset as a way to remove all data from your phone and restore factory settings.

This 2026 guide walks you through the safest, clearest methods, what to back up first, how to avoid common mistakes, and what to do if you get stuck at Google verification after the reset.

What a hard reset actually does (and what it does not)

Before you follow How To Hard Reset Itel A14, it helps to know exactly what will happen.

A hard reset typically:

• Deletes installed apps and their data
• Removes most phone settings and accounts from the device
• Clears photos, downloads, and personal files stored on internal storage (unless something is stored only on an SD card)
• Returns the device to the initial setup screen

A hard reset usually does not:

• “Upgrade” Android
• Fix hardware damage (bad battery, broken screen, failing storage chip)
• Bypass security in a legitimate way (Google account verification may still appear after reset)

Google notes that a factory reset is intended to remove data and restore factory settings.

When you should use How To Hard Reset Itel A14

Use How To Hard Reset Itel A14 when:

• The phone is locked and you cannot remember the PIN, pattern, or password
• It is stuck in a boot loop or keeps restarting
• Apps crash constantly even after clearing cache and uninstalling problem apps
• You want to erase data before selling or giving the phone away
• The system is so slow that normal troubleshooting is not helping (the A14 is an entry-level device, so heavy apps can overwhelm it)

The Itel A14 commonly ships with Android Go (Android 8.1 Go Edition on many variants), 512 MB RAM, and 8 GB storage, so performance issues can be very real once storage fills up.

Quick checklist before you hard reset

Before you do How To Hard Reset Itel A14, take two minutes for this checklist. It can save you from losing important stuff or getting locked out after the reset.

1) Back up what matters

If you can still access the phone:

• Sync Google contacts and calendar
• Back up photos to Google Photos (or copy to a PC)
• Save WhatsApp chats (WhatsApp has its own backup setting)
• Copy any important files from internal storage to a microSD card or computer

2) Charge the battery

Aim for at least 50% battery. A reset that gets interrupted can create extra headaches.

3) Know your Google account login

This is a big one. If you reset through Recovery Mode while the phone still has a Google account on it, you may be asked to sign in with a previously used account during setup (Factory Reset Protection). Wired specifically calls out removing accounts before selling to avoid FRP problems for the next user.

If you do not remember the Google email and password used on the phone, try to recover it now (through Google’s account recovery) before you reset.

Soft reset vs hard reset (don’t skip this)

People often say “reset” when they really mean “restart.”

• Soft reset: a normal restart (power off, then on). It does not erase data.
• Hard reset: a factory reset that wipes data and returns to default settings.

If your phone is just acting slightly weird, restart first. If you are locked out or the system is stuck, How To Hard Reset Itel A14 is the stronger option. Google also uses “hard reset” as another name for factory reset.

Method 1 (recommended if you can unlock the phone): How To Hard Reset Itel A14 from Settings

If you can access the home screen, this is the cleanest method because it’s designed for normal use and is less likely to trigger extra lock checks compared to doing it from Recovery on some phones. (FRP can still apply depending on how the phone is set up, but Settings reset is generally the “standard” path.)

Steps:

1. Open Settings
2. Go to System (or Additional settings, depending on menu layout)
3. Tap Reset options (or Backup & reset)
4. Choose Erase all data (factory reset) or Factory data reset
5. Confirm the reset and enter your screen lock if asked
6. Wait while the phone wipes data and restarts

After reboot, you will land on the initial setup screen.

Tip that matters on Itel A14: because storage is small, the reset can take a little longer than you expect. Don’t panic if it sits on a logo screen for several minutes.

Method 2 (most used for locked phones): How To Hard Reset Itel A14 using Recovery Mode

If you are locked out, the Settings menu is not an option, so How To Hard Reset Itel A14 using Recovery Mode is the go-to approach.

Most guides for Itel A14 follow this pattern: power off, hold hardware keys, enter Recovery Mode, then choose “wipe data/factory reset,” confirm, and reboot.

Step-by-step: Recovery Mode reset

1. Power off the Itel A14 completely
   If it is frozen, hold the Power button until it shuts down.
2. Enter Recovery Mode
   Common key combo for Itel A14 is:
   • Hold Volume Up + Power together for several seconds
     Release when you see the logo or Recovery screen.
3. Navigate the Recovery menu
   Use the Volume keys to move up and down, and Power to confirm. This is the standard behavior in Android recovery menus.
4. Select Wipe data/factory reset
5. Confirm Yes (or “Factory data reset”)
6. When complete, select Reboot system now

That’s it. You have completed How To Hard Reset Itel A14 via Recovery Mode.

What if you see “No command”?

Some Android recovery screens show a “No command” graphic first. On many Android devices, you can bring up the menu by pressing Power and tapping Volume Up once, then releasing. (This varies by model and Android version, but it’s a common recovery behavior described in recovery guides.)

Method 3 (when the phone is stuck or laggy): Hard reset after basic cleanup

Sometimes people jump straight to How To Hard Reset Itel A14 when the issue is simply storage overload. On an 8 GB phone, a full storage situation is surprisingly easy to hit.

If you can still unlock the phone, try this before wiping everything:

• Uninstall heavy apps you don’t use
• Clear cache for the largest apps (Settings → Apps → Storage → Clear cache)
• Move photos and videos to SD card
• Delete large downloads

If performance improves, you may not need How To Hard Reset Itel A14 at all. If it still crashes, then proceed with the reset.

After the reset: first setup tips that prevent headaches

Once How To Hard Reset Itel A14 is done and the phone boots:

1. Choose language
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (recommended)
3. Sign in to Google (use the same account previously used if the phone asks)
4. Decide what to restore (contacts, apps, etc.)

Important: Google account verification (FRP)

Factory Reset Protection exists to prevent unauthorized use after a reset. If the phone was reset while a Google account was still on it, Android may require that same account during setup. This is a normal security behavior described in factory reset protection guidance and consumer device support articles.

If you see verification and you are the owner:

• Sign in with the Google account previously used on the phone
• If you forgot the password, use Google account recovery on another device first
• After changing the password, be aware there can be a waiting period before some devices accept the new login (a common anti-theft measure)

Common problems and fixes

Problem 1: Itel A14 keeps rebooting after the reset

Try:

• Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes after the first boot (first boot can be slow)
• If it loops endlessly, repeat How To Hard Reset Itel A14 from Recovery Mode
• If it still fails, the issue may be firmware corruption or hardware (storage chip) trouble

Problem 2: Recovery Mode won’t open

Try:

• Ensure the phone is fully powered off before pressing buttons
• Hold Volume Up + Power a bit longer
• If your device shows a different key combo, follow a model-specific guide (itel variants can differ)

Problem 3: Touch is not responding, so Settings reset is impossible

In that case, How To Hard Reset Itel A14 via Recovery Mode is your best route because it does not require touch input.

Problem 4: You forgot your pattern and now you’re stuck at verification

If the phone is asking for a previously synced Google account, that is FRP. It is meant to stop theft and unauthorized access.
Use your correct owner credentials. Avoid sketchy “bypass” methods because they are often unsafe, unreliable, or illegal depending on context.

A quick reference table (easy to skim on mobile)

Real-world scenarios (so you know you’re doing the right thing)

Scenario A: “My Itel A14 is slow and storage is full”

On a device with limited RAM and storage, a full internal storage can cause app crashes and extreme lag.
If cleanup does not help, How To Hard Reset Itel A14 gives you a fresh start and often restores usable speed. After reset, keep at least 1 GB free to avoid the same slowdown returning quickly.

Scenario B: “I’m selling the phone tomorrow”

Do this sequence:

1. Back up your data
2. Remove your Google account from the device (so the next user does not hit FRP)
3. Run How To Hard Reset Itel A14 from Settings
4. Remove SIM and SD card

This aligns with safe factory-reset advice for preparing a phone for a new owner.

Scenario C: “It’s locked and I cannot get in”

Recovery Mode reset is the practical answer. Complete How To Hard Reset Itel A14 using hardware keys, then sign in with the owner Google account during setup if prompted.

Frequently asked questions

Will How To Hard Reset Itel A14 delete everything?

Yes. A factory reset removes personal data and returns the phone to factory settings, which Google describes as removing all data from your phone.

How long does How To Hard Reset Itel A14 take?

Usually 5 to 15 minutes, sometimes longer on low-end devices. The first reboot after the reset can feel slow. (If it goes beyond 30 minutes on the first boot, you may be dealing with a boot issue.)

Can How To Hard Reset Itel A14 remove a virus?

It can remove most app-based malware because it wipes apps and data, and recovery guides describe factory reset as a strong troubleshooting option when software is misbehaving.
However, if the phone is repeatedly reinfected after reset, the cause is usually the same risky app, a compromised backup restore, or unsafe downloads.

Why is Google asking me to verify an old account after How To Hard Reset Itel A14?

That is Factory Reset Protection. It is designed to prevent unauthorized access after a reset.

Is a hard reset the same as formatting?

Google notes factory resets are also called “formatting” or “hard resets.”

Conclusion

At the end of the day, How To Hard Reset Itel A14 is about getting your phone back to a clean baseline when nothing else works. If you can still access the system, reset through Settings for the smoothest experience. If you are locked out or stuck on the logo, use Recovery Mode and choose “wipe data/factory reset,” then reboot. Recovery Mode navigation with volume keys and confirming with the power button is a standard approach described in Android recovery resources.

Just remember two things before you do How To Hard Reset Itel A14: back up anything you care about, and make sure you know the Google account used on the device so you are not surprised by verification afterward. If you are preparing the phone for someone else, remove accounts before the reset to avoid FRP trouble later, a point emphasized in safe phone reset guidance.
And if you want the simple definition of a factory reset, it’s exactly what you just did: returning a device to its original software state by erasing user data.