The quickest way to factory reset a Samsung phone

The fastest method is to use the Settings app on your phone itself. Open Settings, tap General management, then Reset, then Factory data reset. Read the warning that appears — it will list what gets deleted — then tap Reset again and enter your PIN or password to confirm. The phone will restart and erase everything.

This method works on all Samsung phones running Android 10 and newer. Older models may have the reset option under Settings > Backup and reset instead, but the steps are the same. The whole process takes about five to ten minutes.

If your phone won't turn on or you cannot access Settings, use the hardware button method instead — hold the power button and volume-up button together until the recovery menu appears, then select Wipe data / factory reset using the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset deletes all photos, messages, apps, and personal data stored on your phone — back up anything you want to keep before you start.
  • The Settings method (Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset) is the easiest route if your phone turns on and responds normally.
  • If your phone is frozen or won't boot, use the hardware button method: hold power and volume-up together until the recovery menu appears.
  • The reset process takes five to ten minutes and your phone will restart automatically when it finishes.
  • You will need to sign back into your Samsung account and Google account after the reset is complete.

What gets deleted during a factory reset

A factory reset removes everything you added to the phone after you bought it. This includes all photos and videos in the phone's storage, text messages, call history, installed apps, contacts, email accounts, and saved passwords. The phone returns to the state it was in when it left the factory.

Data stored in the cloud — such as photos backed up to Google Photos or Samsung Cloud, or messages synced to Gmail — will not be deleted. Only data stored directly on the phone itself is erased. If you are unsure whether your photos are backed up, check Google Photos or Samsung Cloud before you reset.

The factory reset does not remove your Samsung account or Google account from the phone. After the reset finishes, you will be asked to sign back in to both accounts. This is a security feature — it prevents someone else from using a stolen phone.

How to back up your data before resetting

The safest approach is to back up to both Samsung Cloud and Google. Open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then Backup and restore. Choose Samsung Cloud and tap Back up my data. Select what you want to save — contacts, messages, settings, and app data are the main options — then tap Back up.

For photos and videos, open the Google Photos app, tap your profile picture in the top right, then Photos settings, then Backup and sync. Turn the toggle on. Google Photos will upload everything to your Google account. This backup happens in the background and may take hours if you have thousands of photos.

You can also connect your phone to a computer and copy files manually. On Windows, plug in your phone and open File Explorer — your phone appears as a removable drive. On Mac, use Android File Transfer (a free read from Google). Drag your photos and documents to your computer's hard drive.

Using the Settings method step by step

Start with your phone unlocked and plugged into power — the reset will take a few minutes and you do not want the battery to die halfway through. Open Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen twice and tapping the gear icon, or by finding Settings in your app drawer.

Scroll down and tap General management. This section is usually near the bottom of the Settings list. Tap Reset. You will see three options: Reset network settings, Reset keyboard settings, and Factory data reset. Tap Factory data reset.

A warning screen will appear listing what will be deleted. Read it carefully. Tap Reset at the bottom. You will be asked to enter your PIN, pattern, or password — this is the security code you use to unlock your phone. Enter it and tap Reset again. The phone will restart and begin erasing data. Do not turn it off during this time.

When the reset finishes, your phone will restart and show the setup screen you saw when you first bought it. You will be asked to sign in to your Google account and Samsung account. Do this to restore your backed-up data and to set up the phone again.

Using the hardware button method if your phone is frozen

If your phone will not turn on, is stuck on a loading screen, or does not respond to touches, use the recovery menu instead. First, turn off the phone completely — hold the power button for ten seconds until it shuts down. If the phone is already off, skip this step.

Hold the power button and the volume-up button together. Keep holding both buttons even after the Samsung logo appears. After about ten seconds, the recovery menu will appear in white text on a black background. Release the buttons.

Use the volume-down button to scroll down until Wipe data / factory reset is highlighted. Press the power button to select it. A confirmation screen will appear asking if you are sure. Use volume-down to highlight Yes and press power to confirm. The phone will erase all data and restart. This may take several minutes.

When the phone restarts, it will show the setup screen. Sign in to your Google and Samsung accounts to restore your backed-up data.

What to do if you forgot your PIN or password

If you cannot remember the PIN, pattern, or password you use to unlock your phone, you can still reset it — but you will need to use the hardware button method instead of Settings. The recovery menu does not ask for your unlock code.

Follow the hardware button steps above: turn off the phone, hold power and volume-up together, scroll to Wipe data / factory reset, and confirm. This will erase your phone and remove the lock code. When the phone restarts, you can set up a new PIN or password.

If you forgot your Google account password, you will need to recover it before you can sign back in after the reset. Visit the Google Account Recovery page on a computer and follow the steps to reset your password. Have your recovery email or phone number ready — Google will send a verification code to one of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. A factory reset erases everything on the phone, including any malware. However, if malware is on your SIM card or in your cloud accounts, it may return after you sign back in. If you suspect a serious infection, change your Google and Samsung passwords on a computer before signing back into your phone.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. Once the reset completes, the data is gone. This is why backing up before you reset is important. If you have a recent backup in Samsung Cloud or Google, you can restore from it after the reset finishes by signing into your accounts.

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. However, any contacts or messages stored on the SIM card itself (rather than in your phone) will not be deleted.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself usually takes five to ten minutes. However, restoring your data from backups afterward can take much longer — especially if you have thousands of photos or a large amount of app data. Plan for at least 30 minutes total if you are restoring from a backup.

Will I lose my apps after a factory reset?

Yes, all apps you installed will be deleted. However, if you signed into your Google account before the reset, Google Play will remember which apps you had. After you sign back in, you can reinstall them from Google Play. This happens automatically if you turn on app restoration during setup.