What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung phone — all apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is different from a soft reset, which just restarts the phone without erasing anything.

You might need a factory reset if your phone is running slowly, freezing constantly, or behaving erratically after installing an app. It is also the right move if you are selling or giving away the phone and want to make sure no personal data remains. If you have forgotten your PIN or pattern lock, a factory reset is one way to regain access, though it will erase everything on the device.

Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. Samsung phones can back up to your Samsung account, Google account, or a computer. Once you start the reset, there is no undo.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all data on your phone and returns it to its original state, so back up photos, contacts, and messages first.
  • You can reset through Settings on most Samsung phones by going to General Management, then Reset, then Factory Data Reset.
  • If you cannot access Settings because the phone is locked or frozen, you can force a reset using hardware buttons — the exact button combination depends on your Samsung model.
  • After a reset, you will need to sign back into your Samsung or Google account and reinstall any apps you want to keep.
  • If you have a Samsung account or Google account linked to the phone, you may be asked to sign in again after the reset as a security measure.

Resetting through Settings when your phone is working

This is the safest method and works on all recent Samsung phones. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap General Management. Tap Reset, then select Factory Data Reset.

The phone will show you a summary of what will be deleted and ask you to confirm. Read it carefully. Tap Reset or Delete All (the button name varies by model). If you have a PIN, pattern, or password set, you will be asked to enter it to confirm.

The reset process takes a few minutes. Your phone will restart several times. When it finishes, you will see the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the phone was brand new. Do not turn off the phone during this process.

Forcing a reset with hardware buttons when the phone is frozen or locked

If your phone is frozen, unresponsive, or locked and you cannot reach Settings, you can force a reset using the physical buttons on the side of the phone. The button combination varies by Samsung model, so the exact steps depend on which phone you own.

For most recent Samsung Galaxy phones (S20 and newer, A50 and newer), hold the Volume Up button and the Power button together until the phone vibrates and the Samsung logo appears. Release both buttons. The phone will boot into Recovery Mode, which shows a menu with white text on a black background.

Use the Volume Down button to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and press the Power button to select it. The menu will ask you to confirm. Navigate to Yes and press Power. The reset will begin. When it finishes, navigate to Reboot system now and press Power.

For older Samsung models, the button combination may be different — some use Volume Down and Power, others use all three buttons (Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power). If you are unsure which combination your model uses, search online for "[your exact Samsung model] factory reset buttons" to find the right sequence.

Backing up your data before you reset

The easiest way to back up a Samsung phone is through your Samsung account. Open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then Backup and restore. Tap Back up my data and sign in with your Samsung account. Select what you want to back up — contacts, messages, app data, and settings are common choices — and tap Back up now.

You can also back up to your Google account. Open Settings, go to Accounts and backup, tap Manage your Google Account, then the Manage your Google Account tab, and look for Backup. This backs up contacts, calendar, Gmail, and some app data automatically if you have it turned on.

For photos and videos, open the Gallery app, tap the menu icon (three lines), and look for a backup or cloud storage option. Many Samsung phones come with cloud storage through Samsung Cloud or Google Photos. You can also connect your phone to a computer with a USB cable and copy files manually.

What happens after the reset is complete

When your phone restarts after the reset, it will show the setup screen you saw the first time you turned it on. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into an account. If your phone has a SIM card, it will recognize your carrier automatically.

Sign into your Samsung account or Google account — the same one you used before the reset. This will restore contacts, calendar events, and some app data if you backed them up. You will need to reinstall apps from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store. Your photos and videos will not restore automatically unless you backed them up to Google Photos or Samsung Cloud.

If you set up a PIN, pattern, or password before the reset, you will be asked to create a new one during setup. If your phone has a fingerprint or face recognition sensor, you can set that up in Settings under Biometrics or Security after setup is complete.

When to call Samsung support instead of resetting

A factory reset solves most software problems, but it is not the answer for every issue. If your phone will not turn on at all, or if it turns on but when ready shuts down, a reset may not help — this usually points to a hardware problem or a corrupted system file that a reset cannot fix.

If your phone is under warranty and you are not comfortable doing a reset yourself, Samsung support can do it for you. You can contact Samsung through their website, call their support line, or visit a carrier store if you bought the phone through a wireless provider. They can also diagnose whether the problem is hardware or software before you erase everything.

If you have a Samsung account or Google account linked to the phone and you have forgotten the password, you will need to recover that account before or after the reset. Samsung and Google both have account recovery processes on their websites that can help you regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my Samsung phone?

A factory reset will remove most malware because it erases all apps and files. However, if malware is in the system files themselves, a standard factory reset may not remove it completely. If you suspect serious malware, contact Samsung support or your carrier before resetting.

Can I undo a factory reset after I have started it?

No. Once the reset begins, you cannot stop it or undo it. This is why backing up your data first is so important. If you realize you made a mistake after the reset is complete, you can restore from a backup if you created one before the reset.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting?

No. A factory reset does not affect your SIM card. Your phone number and carrier information will remain the same. You do not need to remove it, and doing so will not change the reset process.

What if my Samsung phone asks me to sign in after the reset and I do not remember my password?

Go to the Samsung or Google account recovery page on a computer and follow the steps to reset your password. You will need access to the email address or phone number associated with the account. Once you have reset your password, you can sign in on your phone.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes between 5 and 15 minutes, depending on how much data is on your phone and which Samsung model you have. Older phones or phones with a lot of storage may take longer. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during this time.