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. After the reset completes, you'll see the initial setup screen, as if you just unboxed the phone.

You might reset your phone if it's running slowly, freezing repeatedly, or behaving erratically. A reset also removes malware or unwanted apps that won't uninstall normally. If you're selling or giving away your phone, a reset ensures the next owner won't see your personal data.

Before you reset, understand that this action cannot be undone. Everything will be gone. Back up your photos, contacts, messages, and any files you want to keep before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset wipes your phone completely and returns it to its original state — back up your data first because the reset cannot be reversed.
  • You can reset through Settings on most Samsung phones by going to General Management, then Reset, then Factory Data Reset.
  • If your phone won't turn on or respond, you can force a reset using hardware buttons: hold Power and Volume Up together until the recovery menu appears.
  • After the reset finishes, you'll need to sign in with your Samsung account or Google account to restore some apps and settings.
  • If you forget your Samsung account password, you may not be able to use the phone after a reset — write down your password before you begin.

How to reset through Settings (the standard method)

This method works on most Samsung phones running Android 10 or later. Open the Settings app, then tap General Management. Scroll down and tap Reset.

You'll see several reset options. Tap Factory Data Reset (sometimes labeled "Reset to Factory Settings"). The phone will show you a warning that all data will be erased. Read it carefully. Tap Reset or Delete All to confirm.

The phone will restart and begin the reset process. This usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during this time. When the reset finishes, you'll see the initial setup screen with language and region options.

How to reset using hardware buttons (if your phone won't respond)

If your phone is frozen, won't turn on, or won't respond to touch, you can force a reset using the physical buttons. First, turn off the phone completely. If it won't respond to the power button, hold the Power button for 10 to 30 seconds until it shuts down.

Once the phone is off, hold the Power button and Volume Up button together for several seconds. Keep holding both buttons until the Samsung logo appears or the recovery menu opens. This usually takes 5 to 10 seconds.

When the recovery menu appears (you'll see text options on a black screen), use the Volume Down button to navigate to Wipe Data / Factory Reset. Press the Power button to select it. The menu will ask you to confirm. Navigate to Yes and press Power to confirm. The reset will begin.

What happens after the reset is complete

When your phone finishes resetting, it will boot up and show the initial setup screen. You'll be asked to choose your language and region, then connect to Wi-Fi. The phone will then ask you to sign in with a Google account or Samsung account.

If you sign in with the same Google account you used before, the phone will restore many of your apps from the Google Play Store automatically. Your contacts, calendar, and Gmail will also sync back. However, photos and messages stored only on the phone (not backed up to Google) will not return.

If you don't remember your Samsung account password, you may be locked out of the phone after the reset. Samsung requires account verification on newer phones as a security measure. Write down your password before you reset, or reset your password through Samsung's website before you begin.

Backing up your data before you reset

The safest way to back up is through your Google account. Open Settings, tap Accounts, then Google. Select your Google account and tap Account Sync. Make sure Contacts, Calendar, Gmail, and Photos are toggled on. These will sync to Google's servers.

For photos and videos, open the Google Photos app, tap your profile icon in the top right, then tap Photos Settings. Make sure Backup and Sync is turned on. This uploads your photos to Google Photos, where you can read them later.

For messages, you can use Samsung's built-in backup. Open Settings, tap Accounts, then Samsung Account. Tap Backup and select what you want to back up. You can also use a third-party app like SMS Backup+ to back up text messages to Gmail.

When to call Samsung support instead of resetting

If your phone is under warranty and behaving strangely, contact Samsung support before you reset. A reset voids some warranty claims, and Samsung support may be able to fix the problem without erasing your data.

If your phone is locked with a pattern, PIN, or fingerprint and you've forgotten it, do not reset yet. Samsung has account verification requirements that may prevent you from using the phone after a reset if you can't sign in. Contact Samsung support or your carrier first — they may be able to help you regain access without losing your data.

If you suspect your phone has malware or a serious security issue, a factory reset will remove it. However, if the malware is on your SIM card or in your carrier's network, it may return. After resetting, avoid downloading apps from sources other than the Google Play Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my SIM card data or carrier information?

No. A factory reset only erases data stored on the phone's internal memory. Your SIM card and carrier settings remain unchanged. Your phone number, carrier plan, and any data stored on the SIM itself will still be there after the reset.

Can I undo a factory reset after it's done?

No. A factory reset cannot be reversed. Once it completes, all data is gone permanently. This is why backing up before you reset is essential. If you backed up to Google or Samsung Cloud, you can restore that data after signing back in, but anything not backed up is lost.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most factory resets take between 5 and 15 minutes from start to finish. The exact time depends on how much data is on your phone and which Samsung model you have. Do not interrupt the reset by turning off the phone or removing the battery.

What if my phone asks for a Samsung account password after the reset and I don't remember it?

You'll need to reset your Samsung account password before you can use the phone. Visit account.samsung.com on a computer, click "Forgot Password," and follow the steps to reset it. Then sign in on your phone with the new password. If you can't access your Samsung account email, contact Samsung support for help.

Do I need to remove my SD card before resetting?

No, but you should know that a factory reset does not erase files on an SD card. If you want to remove everything, you can format the SD card separately through Settings after the reset, or remove it before resetting if you want to keep those files.