What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung device — all photos, messages, apps, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. The operating system stays, but your personal data does not. You should do this before selling or giving away a device, if the phone is running slowly and you have tried other fixes, or if you forgot your PIN or password and cannot get back in.

A factory reset is permanent. Once you start, you cannot undo it. Before you begin, back up anything you want to keep — photos, contacts, messages — to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your photos, contacts, and messages to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud before you start, because a factory reset deletes everything on the device.
  • The fastest method is Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset, which takes about five to ten minutes.
  • If you are locked out of your phone, you can force a reset using the power and volume buttons, but this method varies by model.
  • After the reset completes, you will need to sign in with your Google account and set up the phone again from the start.
  • Samsung devices may ask for your Samsung account password after a reset as a security measure, so have that password ready.

Factory reset through Settings (the standard method)

This is the method to use if you can unlock your phone and access the home screen. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap General Management. Tap Reset, then tap Factory Data Reset (some older models call this "Reset to Factory Settings").

The phone will show you a summary of what will be deleted. Read it, then tap Reset or Delete All at the bottom. You may be asked to enter your PIN, pattern, or password to confirm. The reset will begin and usually takes five to ten minutes. Do not turn off the phone during this time.

When the reset finishes, the phone will restart and show the setup screen you saw when it was new. You will be asked to sign in with your Google account, choose your language, and set up your preferences again.

Factory reset using hardware buttons (if you are locked out)

If you cannot unlock your phone or access Settings, you can force a reset using the physical buttons on the device. The exact button combination depends on your model, but the most common method is: turn off the phone completely, then hold the Power button and Volume Up button together until the Samsung logo appears (usually 10 to 15 seconds). Keep holding until the recovery menu appears.

Use the Volume Down button to scroll to Wipe Data / Factory Reset, then press the Power button to select it. The phone will ask you to confirm. Scroll to Yes and press Power to confirm. The reset will begin. This method takes longer than the Settings method — sometimes 15 to 20 minutes — and the screen may go black for extended periods. Do not interrupt it.

Some newer Samsung models use a different combination: Power + Volume Down held together. If the first method does not work, try this one. If neither works, search for your specific model number plus "factory reset buttons" to find the exact combination for your device.

What happens after the reset is complete

Your phone will restart and display the initial setup screen. You will be asked to select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. Use the same Google account you used before the reset if you want to restore your contacts, calendar, and some app data — Google will offer to restore these automatically.

Samsung devices may also ask for your Samsung account password as a security measure. This is normal and is designed to prevent theft. If you do not remember your Samsung account password, you will need to reset it on Samsung's website before you can proceed. Have your email address and a recovery phone number ready.

After you sign in, the phone will read and reinstall your apps from the Google Play Store. This can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed. Let the phone finish this process before you use it heavily.

Backing up your data before you reset

Google automatically backs up contacts, calendar events, Gmail, and some app data if you sign in with your Google account. To back up photos and videos, open the Google Photos app, tap your profile picture in the top right, tap Photos settings, then tap Backup and sync and turn it on. This uploads your photos to Google Drive.

Samsung devices also offer Samsung Cloud. Open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then tap Samsung Cloud. Tap Backup and select what you want to save — contacts, messages, settings, and some app data. This backup is separate from Google and can be useful if you want a second copy.

For text messages, use a third-party app like SMS Backup+ from the Google Play Store, which backs up messages to your Gmail account. For other important files, connect your phone to a computer via USB and copy files to a folder on your hard drive.

Troubleshooting a reset that is stuck or not working

If your phone is stuck on the setup screen after a reset, try restarting it: hold the Power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down, then turn it back on. If it is stuck on the Samsung logo or a black screen, the reset may still be running — wait at least 30 minutes before assuming something went wrong.

If the reset fails or the phone will not turn on after a reset, you may have a hardware problem or a software issue that a factory reset cannot fix. In this case, contact Samsung support or visit a Samsung service center. Bring proof of purchase if the device is still under warranty.

If you are asked for a Google account password after the reset and you do not remember it, go to accounts.google.com on a computer, click Sign in, enter your email, and follow the steps to reset your password. You will need access to the recovery email or phone number you set up with the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove the operating system?

No. A factory reset removes only your personal data and settings. The Android operating system and Samsung's built-in apps stay on the device. The phone will work exactly as it did when you first bought it.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

Not safely. If you interrupt a reset by turning off the phone or removing the battery, you may damage the operating system and the phone may not start again. Let the reset finish, even if it takes longer than expected.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before a factory reset?

No. A factory reset does not affect your SIM card or your phone number. Your SIM card will work normally after the reset. You do not need to remove it.

What if I forgot my Samsung account password and cannot complete the setup?

Go to account.samsung.com on a computer, click Sign in, then click Forgot password. Enter your email address and follow the steps to reset your password. You can then use the new password to sign in on your phone.

How long does a factory reset usually take?

A reset through Settings usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. A reset using hardware buttons can take 15 to 20 minutes. The phone may show a black screen or the Samsung logo for several minutes during the process — this is normal and does not mean it is broken.