Factory Reset Wipes Your Device and Restores It to Original Settings

A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung device—photos, messages, apps, passwords, accounts—and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is useful when you're selling or giving away the device, troubleshooting serious software problems, or removing malware. The reset itself takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is stored.

Before you start, back up anything you want to keep. Samsung devices can back up to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive automatically, but you should verify the backup completed before you begin the reset. Once the reset starts, there is no way to stop it or recover data afterward.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your photos, messages, and other data to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive before starting, because a factory reset deletes everything on the device.
  • You can factory reset through Settings on the device itself, or through Find My Mobile if you've forgotten your password.
  • The device will restart several times during the reset and may take 10 to 30 minutes to complete.
  • After the reset finishes, you'll see the initial setup screen as if the device is brand new, and you can sign in with your Samsung or Google account to restore apps and data.

Factory Reset Through Settings (Easiest Method)

Open Settings on your Samsung device. Scroll down and tap General management (on some older models, this may be labeled System or About device). Then tap Reset or Reset options.

Select Factory data reset or Erase all data. The device will show you a summary of what will be deleted. Read it carefully—this includes all apps you installed, all photos and videos stored on the device, all messages, and all account information. Tap Reset or Delete all to confirm. You may be asked to enter your PIN, pattern, or password to proceed.

The device will restart and begin the reset process. You'll see a progress bar on the screen. Do not turn off the device or remove the battery during this time. When the reset is complete, you'll see the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned on the device.

Factory Reset Using Find My Mobile (If You're Locked Out)

If you've forgotten your password or PIN and cannot access Settings, you can reset the device remotely through Samsung's Find My Mobile service. Go to findmymobile.samsung.com on a computer or another device and sign in with the Samsung account that is registered to your phone.

Click Find My Mobile in the menu. Select your device from the list. On the left side, look for Unlock or Factory reset and click it. The service will send a command to your device. Your phone will restart and begin the reset process. This method requires that your device is turned on and connected to the internet.

If you don't have a Samsung account set up on the device, or if the device is offline, you cannot use Find My Mobile. In that case, you'll need to contact Samsung Support or visit a Samsung service center.

What Happens After the Reset Completes

Once the reset finishes, your device will display the initial setup screen. You'll be asked to select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. If you sign in with the same account that was on the device before, your apps, contacts, and backed-up data will begin to restore automatically.

The restoration process can take several minutes to an hour, depending on how much data you have and how fast your internet connection is. Do not turn off the device during this time. You can use the device while apps are restoring in the background, but some apps may not be fully functional until the restoration is complete.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not turn off the device or remove the battery while the reset is running. The reset process writes new data to the storage, and interrupting it can leave the device in an unusable state. If the device does shut down unexpectedly, turn it back on and let it complete the reset process.

Do not assume your backup is complete just because you started it. Open your backup app (Samsung Cloud or Google Drive) and verify that your most recent photos and messages are actually stored there. Backups sometimes fail silently if the device runs out of storage space or loses internet connection partway through.

Do not forget to remove your Google account or Samsung account from the device before handing it to someone else, unless you want them to have access to your backed-up data. If you do a factory reset but don't remove your account first, the device will ask for your account password when it boots up, and the new owner won't be able to use it without that password.

Troubleshooting a Reset That Won't Start

If you tap the reset button and nothing happens, the device may be low on storage space. Factory resets require a small amount of free space to work. Try deleting large files or apps, then try the reset again. You can also try restarting the device first—sometimes a restart clears temporary files and frees up space.

If the device is frozen or unresponsive, you can force a restart by holding down the Power button and Volume Down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Samsung logo. Release the buttons and let the device restart. Then try the factory reset again through Settings.

If the reset still won't start, or if the device gets stuck during the reset process, contact Samsung Support. You can reach them through the Samsung Members app on the device, or visit samsung.com/us/support (or your country's Samsung support site) to find your local service center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account?

The reset erases the account from the device, but Google still has your account. When you set up the device after the reset, you can sign back in with the same email and password. Your contacts, calendar, and backed-up photos will restore automatically.

Can I factory reset a Samsung tablet the same way as a phone?

Yes. Open Settings, go to General management or System, tap Reset, and select Factory data reset. The steps are identical. Tablets take slightly longer because they usually have more storage, but the process is the same.

What if I don't remember my Samsung account password?

Go to account.samsung.com and click "Forgot password?" Enter your email address and follow the recovery steps. Samsung will send a reset link to your email. If you can't access that email, you may need to contact Samsung Support to verify your identity.

Does factory reset remove viruses or malware?

A factory reset removes most malware because it deletes all installed apps and files. However, if malware is stored in the device's firmware (the core software), a factory reset may not remove it. If you suspect serious malware, contact Samsung Support or a service center.

How long does it take to restore my data after the reset?

Restoration depends on how much data you have and your internet speed. Small backups (contacts and settings) restore in a few minutes. Large backups with thousands of photos can take 30 minutes to an hour. Keep the device plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi during restoration.