If your Infinix Note 40 has become slow, keeps freezing, is stuck on the logo, or you are about to sell it, an Infinix Note 40 hard reset is the cleanest way to start over. A reset wipes all apps, accounts, photos and settings and returns the phone to the same state it was in out of the box. This guide covers two reliable methods – one from inside Android (XOS 14), and one from Recovery using the hardware buttons – plus how to avoid getting locked out by Google’s anti-theft protection afterward.
When you need a hard reset
A factory reset is the right fix for software problems that a simple restart cannot solve. Consider one when:
- The phone is sluggish, crashes often, or apps force-close repeatedly.
- You forgot your screen lock (PIN, pattern or password) and need to wipe the device.
- The Note 40 is stuck in a boot loop or hangs on the Infinix logo.
- You are selling, gifting or returning the phone and want all personal data gone.
- A malware infection or bad update has left the system unstable.
If your problem is a single misbehaving app, try clearing its data first – a full wipe is a last resort. For other Android models, our general guide to hard resetting any Android mobile walks through the same principles.
Before you start
A hard reset is permanent, so prepare first:
- Charge the battery to at least 50%. If the phone powers off mid-wipe, you risk a corrupted system.
- Back up everything you want to keep. Contacts, photos, messages and app data are erased. Sync to your Google account and Infinix/XShare, or follow our walkthrough on how to back up and restore Android devices so nothing is lost.
- Know your Google account login. After the reset the phone will ask for the Google account that was previously signed in. Without it, you will be locked out (see the FRP note below).
- Remove the SD card and SIM if you only want to wipe internal storage.
Method 1 – factory reset from Settings
If you can still unlock the phone and reach the menus, this is the easiest route. On the Note 40 running XOS 14:
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap System.
- Tap Reset options (on some XOS builds this is shown as Backup & reset).
- Choose Erase all data (factory reset).
- Review the list of accounts and data that will be removed, then tap Erase all data.
- Enter your PIN, pattern or password if prompted, and confirm.
The phone will reboot, wipe itself, and restart on the welcome screen. This can take several minutes – do not interrupt it.
Method 2 – hard reset from Recovery
Use this when the Note 40 will not boot normally or you are locked out of the screen. It performs the wipe from Android’s stock Recovery menu.
- Power the phone off completely. Hold the Power button, tap Power off, and wait until the screen is fully dark.
- Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Up button together.
- When the Infinix logo appears, release both buttons. The phone should boot into Recovery mode.
- The touchscreen does not work here – use Volume Up and Volume Down to move the highlight, and the Power button to select.
- Highlight Wipe data/factory reset and press Power.
- Select Factory data reset (or Yes) to confirm.
- When it finishes, highlight Reboot system now and press Power.
If you land in Recovery by accident or want to learn the other tools there, see our guide on how to use Recovery mode to fix your Android phone.
A note on the Google FRP lock
Both methods trigger Factory Reset Protection (FRP), Google’s anti-theft feature. After the wipe, the Note 40 will ask you to sign in with the Google account that was last used on the device. If you do not know those credentials, you will be locked out of setup – this is intentional and protects against stolen phones. To avoid it, remove your Google account in Settings before resetting, or be ready to enter the same account during setup. If you are recovering a lost device instead, Google’s Find My Device reset can erase it remotely while keeping FRP tied to your account.
Frequently asked questions
Will an Infinix Note 40 hard reset delete everything?
Yes. A factory reset erases all apps, accounts, photos, messages and settings from internal storage and returns the phone to its out-of-box state. Data on a removable SD card is usually left untouched, but back up anything important beforehand to be safe.
What button combo opens Recovery on the Note 40?
From a fully powered-off phone, hold Power + Volume Up until the Infinix logo appears, then release. Navigate with the volume keys and confirm with Power. If it boots normally instead, the phone was not fully off – try again.
My phone won’t connect to a PC after the reset – what now?
If you plan to transfer files or flash firmware over USB and the computer does not detect the Note 40, you likely need the correct drivers. See our guide to download Android USB drivers so your PC recognizes the device.
