The Two Ways to Reset Your Samsung Phone

You can reset your Samsung phone to factory settings in two ways: through the Settings menu on the phone itself, or by using hardware buttons if the phone won't turn on or respond. The Settings method takes about five minutes and erases everything—all apps, photos, messages, contacts, and personal data. The hardware button method (called a hard reset or forced reset) does the same thing but works when your phone is frozen or won't boot.

Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. Samsung phones automatically sync contacts, photos, and some app data to your Samsung account if you're signed in, but text messages, call logs, and files stored only on the device will be permanently deleted. Once the reset completes, the phone returns to the state it was in when it left the factory—no apps except the built-in ones, no personal data, and no accounts signed in.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all personal data, apps, photos, and messages from your Samsung phone permanently.
  • The Settings method works on phones that turn on and respond; go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Reset All Settings or Factory Reset.
  • The hardware button method (volume down + power, or volume up + power + Bixby, depending on your model) works on frozen or unresponsive phones.
  • Back up your data to your Samsung account or a computer before resetting, because deleted files cannot be recovered.
  • After the reset completes, your phone will ask you to sign in with a Samsung account or Google account to set it up again.

Reset Through Settings on a Working Phone

Open Settings on your Samsung phone. Scroll down and tap General Management (on some older models it may be labeled Backup and Reset). Tap Reset.

You will see two options: Reset All Settings and Factory Reset (or Reset All Data). Choose Factory Reset to erase everything. The phone will ask you to confirm and may ask for your PIN or password. Enter it, then tap Reset or Delete All. The phone will restart and begin the reset process, which usually takes two to ten minutes depending on how much data is on the device.

When the reset finishes, your phone will display the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. You can then sign in with your Samsung account, Google account, or set up the phone as new.

Reset Using Hardware Buttons (Frozen or Unresponsive Phone)

If your Samsung phone won't turn on, won't respond to touches, or is stuck in a loop, you can force a reset using the physical buttons. The button combination varies by model. For most recent Samsung phones, hold Volume Down + Power together until the phone vibrates or the Samsung logo appears (usually 10 to 15 seconds). For older models or some Galaxy S series phones, try Volume Up + Power + Bixby (the Bixby button is on the left side of the phone).

When the recovery menu appears, use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select. Look for an option labeled Wipe Data, Factory Reset, or Reset. Highlight it and press power to select. The phone will ask you to confirm—usually by highlighting Yes and pressing power again. The reset will then run, and your phone will restart.

If you are unsure which buttons to hold for your specific model, check the Samsung support page for your phone's model number (found in Settings > About Phone > Model Number). The correct button combination is listed there.

What Happens to Your Data

A factory reset permanently removes all data stored on the phone's internal storage. This includes photos, videos, messages, call logs, installed apps, saved passwords, and any files you downloaded. Data synced to the cloud—such as contacts and photos backed up to your Samsung account or Google account—will still be there after the reset, but only if you sign back in with that account.

Text messages and call logs are not automatically backed up by Samsung or Google, so they will be lost unless you used a third-party backup app. If you need to save these before resetting, use an app like Samsung SmartSwitch or Google One to back up the entire phone to a computer or cloud storage first.

Back Up Your Data Before Resetting

The easiest way to back up a Samsung phone is through Samsung SmartSwitch, which comes pre-installed on most Samsung phones. Open SmartSwitch, tap Send Data, then choose Send to Computer or Send to Another Device. Follow the prompts to back up contacts, messages, photos, videos, and app data to your computer or another phone.

You can also back up to your Samsung account. Go to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Samsung Cloud (or Backup) and tap Back Up. Choose what to back up—contacts, messages, app data, and settings—and tap Back Up Now. This stores the data on Samsung's servers, and you can restore it after the reset by signing in with the same Samsung account.

For photos and videos, use Google Photos or Samsung Cloud. Open the app, sign in, and tap the menu to turn on backup. New photos will upload automatically, and older ones can be backed up manually. After the reset, sign back in and your photos will be there.

Set Up Your Phone After the Reset

When your phone restarts after the reset, it will show the initial setup screen. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Samsung account or Google account. If you have a Samsung account, sign in with the same email and password you used before the reset. Your contacts, photos, and other synced data will begin to restore automatically.

If you do not remember your Samsung account password, tap Forgot Password and follow the recovery steps. You will need access to the email address associated with the account. If you do not have a Samsung account, you can sign in with a Google account instead, and your Google contacts and photos will restore.

After signing in, the phone will read and reinstall your apps from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store. This can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed. You can use the phone while apps are installing in the background.

When to Call Samsung Support

If your phone is stuck on the setup screen after a reset, won't turn on at all, or shows an error message during the reset process, contact Samsung Support. You can reach them through the Samsung Members app (pre-installed on most Samsung phones), the Samsung website, or by calling the support number for your country. Have your phone's model number ready—it is in Settings > About Phone > Model Number.

If you forgot the Samsung account password and cannot recover it, Samsung Support can help you verify your identity and regain access. If you are locked out of a Google account, you will need to recover that through Google's account recovery page instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove the lock screen password?

Yes. A factory reset removes all passwords, PINs, and biometric data (fingerprints, face recognition). After the reset, you will set up a new lock screen during the initial setup process. If you forget the new password, you can reset it by signing in with your Google or Samsung account.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone. Data that was not backed up to the cloud or to a computer will be lost forever. This is why backing up before resetting is important.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting?

No. A factory reset does not affect your SIM card or your phone number. Your SIM card will continue to work after the reset. You do not need to remove it.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset process itself usually takes two to ten minutes, depending on how much data is on the phone. After the reset finishes, the initial setup and app reinstallation can take 30 minutes to an hour.

What if my phone shows "Google Account Recovery" after the reset?

This is a security feature called Factory Reset Protection. It requires you to sign in with the Google account that was on the phone before the reset. If you remember the account email and password, sign in. If you do not, you will need to recover the Google account through Google's account recovery page or contact Google Support.