Android Factory Reset wont wipe data completely.

                Android has a major share in mobile market and millions of devices are running Android operating system. What the user will do if he / she wants to sell the phone or exchange it ? the only option is to run a Factory reset. What happens if the reset fails to completely wipe your data?.

                Researchers at the University of Cambridge conducted a study and concluded that Android's #Factory Reset doesnot wipe the data completely and the data can be recovered.

                The data that can be recovered are text messages, Login Credentials, E-mails and even pictures. The interesting fact is that it is possible even when the disk full encryption is enabled  by the user.

                Android fails to erase the partition that contains the login credentials completely and it leads to the recovery of some data that can be misused. Around 630 million Internal SD cards doesnot wipe the data that includes video and pictures.

                 This is similar to that of the data recovery in computer. But this goes one step higher because the second hand market for mobiles is on demand. This is due to the improper wiping driver in Android version 4.1 , 4.2 and 4.3. It also fails to format the External SD card also.

                  After running Factory Reset they can obtain text messages, Google account credentials and conversations from third party app like Whatsapp, Facebook and also pictures from Camera roll. 

                  It is possible to retrieve the master token from all mobiles at the success rate of 80% that enables the users to access all Google Products. It is hard because the phone uses Flash memory and it is difficult to erase the data completely.

                  Google suggests some suggestions for this solution 

1. Erase the phone by hitting Factory Reset remotely as if the phone is stolen.
2. Update the phone to Latest version and enable the encryption with passcode.

                   Many users feels that the two solution is not reliable and upgrading in Android is nightmare for many devices. Google is yet to provide a nice solution to this problem.

P.S : The post is to create awareness and not to be misused.