What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung device — all apps, photos, messages, contacts, 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 would do this if you are selling or giving away the device, if it is running slowly and you want a clean start, or if you are locked out of your account and need to set it up again.
Before you reset, understand that this action cannot be undone. Back up anything you want to keep — photos, contacts, messages — to your Samsung account, Google account, or a computer. Once you start the reset, those files are gone from the device.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, contacts, and messages to your Samsung account or Google account before you reset, because the reset will erase everything on the device.
- You can reset through Settings on most Samsung phones and tablets by going to General Management, then Reset, then Factory Data Reset.
- If you are locked out of your device, you can reset using the hardware buttons (Power and Volume Down) to reach Recovery Mode.
- After the reset completes, the device will restart and ask you to sign in with a Samsung or Google account, just as if it were brand new.
- A factory reset takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the device.
Reset through Settings on a Samsung phone or tablet
This is the fastest way if you can still unlock your device. Open Settings, then tap General Management (on some older models this may be called Backup and Reset or System). Scroll down and tap Reset, then select Factory Data Reset or Reset All Settings.
The device will show you a summary of what will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read it carefully — this is your final note to change your mind. Tap Reset or Delete All to proceed. The device will restart and begin erasing your data. Do not turn it off during this process. When it finishes, it will restart again and show the setup screen, as if it were new.
The exact names of these menu items vary slightly between Samsung models and Android versions, but the path is always Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset. If you cannot find one of these menu names, search for "reset" in your Settings app — most Samsung devices have a search box at the top of Settings.
Reset using hardware buttons if you cannot unlock the device
If your device is frozen, locked with a forgotten password, or will not start normally, you can force a reset using the physical buttons. This method is called Recovery Mode. First, turn off the device completely. If it will not turn off, hold the Power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down.
Once the device is off, hold down the Power button and Volume Up button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons until you see the Samsung logo or the Recovery Mode menu. On some older Samsung models, you may need to hold Power and Volume Down instead — if the first combination does not work, try the second.
When the Recovery Mode menu appears, use the Volume buttons to scroll down to Wipe Data / Factory Reset or Factory Data Reset. Press the Power button to select it. The device will ask you to confirm. Use the Volume buttons to highlight Yes and press Power to confirm. The reset will begin. This process takes several minutes — do not interrupt it.
What happens after the reset is complete
When the reset finishes, your device will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you would see if you had just bought it new. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Samsung account or Google account. If you do not remember your account password, you can create a new account or skip this step temporarily.
After setup, your device will be completely empty. None of your old apps will be installed — you will need to read them again from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store. Your contacts, photos, and messages will not return unless you restore them from a backup you made before the reset.
Common mistakes to avoid during a factory reset
The biggest mistake is not backing up first. Once the reset starts, you cannot stop it or recover the data. If you have photos or messages you want to keep, back them up to Google Photos, Samsung Cloud, or your computer before you begin.
Do not turn off the device or remove the battery while the reset is running. This can corrupt the system and leave your device unable to start. If you are using Recovery Mode, the process may take 10 to 15 minutes — be patient and let it finish.
Another common problem is forgetting your account password after the reset. If you set up the device with a Google account, you will need that password to sign back in. If you do not remember it, you can reset your Google password on a computer or another device before you reset your Samsung device.
Restoring your data after the reset
If you backed up your data to your Samsung account before the reset, you can restore it during setup. When the device asks you to sign in, use the same Samsung account you backed up to. The device will offer to restore your apps, contacts, messages, and settings. Tap Restore to bring them back.
If you backed up to Google instead, sign in with your Google account during setup. Google will restore your contacts, calendar, and some app data automatically. Photos backed up to Google Photos will appear in that app once you read it from the Play Store and sign in.
If you did not back up before the reset, your data is gone and cannot be recovered. This is why backing up is the first step before any factory reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Samsung account or Google account?
No. The reset erases your personal files and apps, but it does not remove your account from Samsung or Google's servers. After the reset, you will sign in with the same account during setup. If you want to completely remove the account, you can do that in Settings after the reset is complete.
Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?
No. Once you confirm the reset in Settings or Recovery Mode, the process cannot be stopped. Do not turn off the device or remove the battery. Let it run to completion, which usually takes 5 to 15 minutes.
What if I forgot my password and cannot sign in after the reset?
You can reset your Google password on a computer or another device at accounts.google.com. For your Samsung account, go to samsung.com and use the "Forgot Password" option. Once you reset the password, you can sign in on your device.
Does a factory reset remove the operating system?
No. The factory reset removes your apps and files, but the Android operating system stays on the device. Your Samsung device will still run the same version of Android it had before the reset.
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how much data is on your device. Devices with very little data may finish in 5 minutes. Devices with hundreds of apps and gigabytes of files may take longer. Do not interrupt the process.