What resetting your Samsung phone means and when to do it

A reset clears problems on your Samsung phone by either restarting it cleanly or wiping it back to factory settings. A soft reset (also called a restart) turns the phone off and back on — this fixes freezing, slow performance, and app crashes without erasing anything. A factory reset wipes all your data, apps, and settings and returns the phone to how it came from the factory — use this when you plan to sell the phone, give it away, or when software problems won't clear any other way.

Most problems — apps crashing, the phone running slowly, the screen freezing — clear with a soft reset. Only do a factory reset if a soft reset did not work or if you are preparing to hand the phone to someone else. A factory reset cannot be undone, so back up your photos, contacts, and files first if you want to keep them.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset (restart) fixes most freezing and crashing problems and takes less than a minute; hold the power button until the phone turns off, then turn it back on.
  • A factory reset erases everything on the phone and returns it to original settings; only use this if a soft reset did not work or you are giving away the phone.
  • Before a factory reset, back up your photos, contacts, and files using Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, or your computer, because the reset cannot be undone.
  • You can factory reset through Settings, through the recovery menu if the phone will not start, or by holding specific button combinations during startup.
  • After a factory reset, the phone will ask you to sign in with a Samsung or Google account; if you forget the password, you may not be able to use the phone.

Soft reset: restarting your Samsung phone

A soft reset is the first step when your phone is freezing, apps are crashing, or it is running slowly. The process differs slightly depending on whether your phone has a physical power button or uses side buttons.

On phones with a power button on the side: Press and hold the power button (usually on the right side) for about 10 seconds until you see "Power off" on the screen. Tap "Power off" or wait for the phone to turn off. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. The phone will restart and load normally.

On phones with volume and power buttons: Press and hold the power button and the volume down button together for about 10 seconds until the phone vibrates and the screen goes black. Release both buttons and wait 10 seconds. Press the power button again to turn the phone back on.

If the phone is completely frozen and will not respond to button presses, try holding the power button for 30 seconds. Most Samsung phones will force-restart after that time.

Factory reset through Settings

If a soft reset did not fix the problem, or if you are preparing to give away or sell the phone, use the Settings menu to factory reset. This method works when the phone still turns on and responds to touches.

Step 1: Open Settings (the gear icon). Scroll down and tap "General management" or "About phone" depending on your model.

Step 2: Look for "Reset" or "Reset options". Tap "Factory data reset" or "Erase all data".

Step 3: Read the warning. The phone will list what will be erased — apps, photos, messages, settings, and files stored on the phone. Tap "Reset" or "Delete all" to confirm.

Step 4: If the phone asks for your PIN, pattern, or password, enter it. This is a security step to prevent someone else from wiping your phone without permission.

Step 5: The phone will restart and begin erasing. This takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the phone during this time.

Step 6: When the reset finishes, the phone will show the startup screen as if it were brand new. You will be asked to sign in with a Samsung account or Google account. If you do not remember the password, you will not be able to use the phone until you recover the account.

Factory reset using recovery mode

Use recovery mode if the phone will not turn on, will not respond to touches, or if Settings is not working. This method uses button combinations to access a hidden menu.

Step 1: Turn off the phone completely. Press and hold the power button until the screen goes black, then release.

Step 2: Press and hold the power button and volume up button together. Keep holding both buttons even after the Samsung logo appears on the screen.

Step 3: When you see the recovery menu (a screen with text and options), release the buttons. The menu will show options like "Reboot system now", "Wipe data/factory reset", and others.

Step 4: Use the volume down button to move the highlight to "Wipe data/factory reset". Press the power button to select it.

Step 5: The phone will ask you to confirm. Use volume down to highlight "Yes" and press the power button.

Step 6: The phone will erase and restart. This takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, you will see the startup screen.

If the recovery menu does not appear, try holding power and volume down instead of volume up. Different Samsung models use different button combinations.

Back up your data before a factory reset

A factory reset erases everything and cannot be undone. Before you reset, move your important files, photos, and contacts somewhere safe.

Using Samsung Cloud: Open Settings, tap "Accounts and backup", then "Samsung Cloud". Tap "Backup" and choose what to back up — contacts, messages, apps, settings, and more. The backup uploads to Samsung's servers. After the reset, sign in with the same Samsung account and restore from the backup.

Using Google Drive: Open Settings, tap "Google", then "Manage your Google Account". Go to the "Data & privacy" tab and look for backup options. You can also open Google Drive on the phone, tap the menu, and tap "Settings" to turn on automatic backup of photos and files.

Using your computer: Connect the phone to a computer with a USB cable. On Windows, the phone will appear as a drive in File Explorer. On Mac, use Android File Transfer (a free read from Google). Drag your photos and files to a folder on the computer.

After the factory reset, you can restore photos and files from these backups. Contacts and messages backed up to Samsung Cloud or Google will restore automatically when you sign in.

What to do if you forget your account password after a reset

After a factory reset, Samsung phones ask you to sign in with a Samsung account or Google account before you can use the phone. If you forget the password, the phone will not let you past this screen.

If you forgot your Google password, go to accounts.google.com on a computer and click "Forgot password?". Follow the steps to recover your account. Once you have reset the password, use the new password on the phone.

If you forgot your Samsung account password, go to samsungaccount.samsung.com on a computer and click "Forgot password?". You will need to verify your identity using your phone number or email. After you reset the password, use it on the phone.

If you cannot recover either account, contact Samsung Support or visit a Samsung service center with proof of purchase. They can help you regain access to the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a soft reset delete my photos and files?

No. A soft reset (restart) only turns the phone off and back on. It does not erase anything. All your photos, files, apps, and settings stay on the phone. Only a factory reset erases data.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. The phone will restart and show a progress bar or spinner. Do not turn off the phone during this time or the reset may fail and leave the phone unusable.

Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?

No. Once you confirm the factory reset, it cannot be stopped or undone. The phone will erase all data. This is why backing up before you reset is important.

What is the difference between a factory reset and a soft reset?

A soft reset restarts the phone and fixes temporary problems like freezing or slow performance. A factory reset erases everything and returns the phone to original settings. Use a soft reset first; only factory reset if the soft reset did not work or if you are giving away the phone.

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

No. A factory reset does not affect your SIM card. Your phone number and carrier information stay the same. The reset only erases data stored on the phone itself.