What "Reset" Means and Which Type You Need

A reset on a Samsung device means returning it to factory settings — erasing all your personal data, apps, and accounts. Samsung devices offer two main reset paths: a soft reset (restart without erasing anything) and a factory reset (complete wipe). Most people searching for "how to reset Samsung" actually need a factory reset because their device is frozen, running slowly, or they are preparing to sell it.

Before you reset, understand that a factory reset cannot be undone. All photos, messages, contacts, and installed apps will be gone. If your device is frozen or slow, try a soft reset first — it solves many problems without erasing anything.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset (holding power and volume buttons) restarts your device without erasing data and fixes most freezing or lag problems.
  • A factory reset erases everything on your device and cannot be reversed, so back up your photos, contacts, and important files first.
  • You can factory reset through Settings on a working device, or through Recovery Mode if your device will not start normally.
  • After a factory reset, your device will ask you to sign in with a Samsung or Google account — have your password ready.
  • If you forget your Samsung account password after a reset, you will need to verify your identity through Samsung Find Mobile or contact Samsung support.

How to Soft Reset (Restart Without Losing Data)

A soft reset is a forced restart that clears your device's temporary memory without touching your files or apps. Try this first if your Samsung is frozen, apps are crashing, or the screen is not responding.

On most Samsung phones and tablets, hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for 10 seconds. Your device will vibrate and the Samsung logo will appear — release the buttons. The device will restart in about 30 seconds. On older Samsung models, you may need to hold Power and Volume Up instead. If you are unsure which buttons, check your device's manual or Samsung's support site for your specific model number.

After the restart, test whether the problem is solved. If your device is still slow or freezing, move to a factory reset. If it works normally again, you are done.

Factory Reset Through Settings (Device Turns On Normally)

If your Samsung device starts and responds to touch, use the Settings menu to factory reset. This is the safest method because you can see what is happening at each step.

Open Settings and scroll down to find General Management (on some older models, look for Backup and Reset). Tap Reset, then select Factory Data Reset or Reset All Settings. The exact wording varies by model and Android version. Read the warning carefully — it will list what will be erased. Tap Reset or Delete All to confirm. Your device will restart and begin the reset process, which takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the device during this time.

When the reset finishes, your Samsung device will show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first bought it. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. Have your password ready.

Factory Reset Through Recovery Mode (Device Will Not Start)

If your Samsung device will not turn on, freezes at the startup logo, or will not respond to touch, use Recovery Mode to factory reset. This method works even when the normal operating system is broken.

Turn off the device completely. Then hold Power, Volume Up, and Bixby (or Home on older models) all together for about 10 seconds until the Samsung logo appears. Release the buttons. Your device will enter Recovery Mode, showing a menu with white text on a black background.

Use the Volume Down button to scroll down to Wipe Data / Factory Reset. Press the Power button to select it. A confirmation screen will appear asking if you are sure. Scroll down to Yes and press Power to confirm. The reset will begin and take 10 to 20 minutes. When it finishes, you will see Reboot System Now highlighted. Press Power to restart your device.

What Happens After the Reset Is Complete

Your Samsung device will restart and display the setup screen. You will see options to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in. If you have a Google account, sign in with that email and password — this will restore your Google contacts, calendar, and any apps you previously installed from the Google Play Store.

If you have a Samsung account, you can also sign in to restore Samsung-specific data like your Samsung Cloud backup. However, a Samsung account is optional. You can skip it and use only your Google account.

After setup is complete, your device will be exactly as it was when new. All your old apps, photos, messages, and files are gone. If you backed up your data before the reset, you can restore it now through your Google account or Samsung Cloud.

Backing Up Before You Reset

If you still have access to your device and it is working, back up your important data before you reset. The easiest way is to sign in with your Google account — Google automatically backs up your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and some app data to Google Drive.

For photos and videos, open the Google Photos app (or Samsung Gallery) and turn on backup. This uploads your photos to the cloud so you can read them after the reset. For other files, you can manually copy them to a computer using a USB cable, or upload them to Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud service.

If your device will not turn on and you have no backup, you will lose that data. This is why backing up regularly — even before you think you need a reset — is important.

Troubleshooting: Stuck on Setup or Locked Out After Reset

Sometimes after a factory reset, your Samsung device gets stuck on the setup screen or asks for a password you do not remember. This usually happens if you had a Samsung account or Google account linked to the device before the reset.

If you are stuck on the Google sign-in screen, try entering the Google account email and password you used before the reset. If you do not remember the password, go to accounts.google.com on a computer, click Sign In, and use the "Forgot password?" link to reset it. Then use the new password on your Samsung device.

If you are stuck on a Samsung account screen, visit findmobile.samsung.com on a computer. Sign in with your Samsung account, find your device, and follow the prompts to unlock it or reset the account. If you do not have a Samsung account or cannot remember the password, contact Samsung support — they can verify your identity and help you regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a soft reset delete my photos and messages?

No. A soft reset (holding Power and Volume Down) only restarts your device. All your photos, messages, apps, and files stay on the device. A factory reset is what erases everything.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes 10 to 20 minutes from start to finish. Do not turn off your device or remove the battery during this time, or it may not complete properly.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset cannot be reversed. If you backed up your data to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud before the reset, you can restore it afterward. Otherwise, the data is permanently gone.

What if my device is asking for a password after the reset and I do not remember it?

If it is a Google account password, visit accounts.google.com and use the password recovery tool. If it is a Samsung account, go to findmobile.samsung.com and sign in to unlock your device. If you cannot access either account, contact Samsung support with proof of ownership.

Do I need to back up my apps, or will they come back after I sign in?

Apps you installed from the Google Play Store will reappear automatically when you sign in with your Google account — Google remembers which apps you had. Apps from Samsung's Galaxy Store or other sources may need to be reinstalled manually.