The Two Ways to Reset Your Samsung Phone

You can reset a Samsung phone to factory settings in two ways: through the Settings menu on the phone itself, or by using the hardware button combination if the phone won't turn on or respond. The Settings method is faster and safer if your phone is working. The hardware method (also called a hard reset or recovery mode reset) is what you use when the phone is frozen, won't boot, or you've forgotten your PIN or password.

Both methods erase everything on the phone — all apps, photos, messages, contacts, and personal files. Your Samsung account and Google account information will remain linked to the phone after the reset, so you can sign back in and restore some data if you saved it to the cloud. Before you start, back up anything you want to keep.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset through Settings takes about five minutes and works when your phone is responsive; it erases all personal data but keeps your accounts linked.
  • A hard reset using hardware buttons works when your phone is frozen or won't start, and follows the same data-wipe outcome as a Settings reset.
  • Back up your photos, messages, and files to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive before resetting, because the reset cannot be undone.
  • After the reset completes, sign into your Samsung account or Google account to restore apps and some data from your backups.
  • If you've forgotten your Samsung account password, you will need to reset it on another device before the phone will let you proceed past the setup screen.

Reset Through Settings (When Your Phone Works)

Open Settings on your Samsung phone. Scroll down and tap General management (on some older models it may say Backup and reset). Tap Reset or Reset options.

You will see two choices: Reset network settings and Reset all data (sometimes labeled Factory data reset). Tap Reset all data. The phone will show you a warning that all data will be erased. Tap Reset or Delete all to confirm. Enter your PIN, pattern, or password if prompted. The reset will take a few minutes. Your phone will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the phone was brand new.

Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during the reset. Let it complete fully before you touch it.

Hard Reset Using Hardware Buttons (When Your Phone Won't Respond)

If your phone is frozen, won't turn on, or won't respond to touch, use the hardware button method. The button combination varies slightly by Samsung model, but the most common sequence is: power off the phone completely (or let the battery die if you can't turn it off). Then press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button together for about 10 seconds until the Samsung logo appears. Release both buttons.

Your phone will enter Recovery mode, which shows a menu with options in white text on a black screen. Use the Volume Down button to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and press the Power button to select it. The phone will ask you to confirm. Use Volume Down to highlight Yes and press Power to confirm. The reset will run. When it finishes, you will see Reboot system now highlighted. Press Power to restart the phone.

Some newer Samsung models (Galaxy S21 and later) may use a different button combination: Power + Volume Down held together until the recovery menu appears. If the standard combination does not work, try this one. The menu navigation remains the same.

What Happens After the Reset Completes

Your phone will restart and show the Welcome or Hello setup screen. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into an account. You can sign into your Samsung account or your Google account (or both). If you have a Samsung account, signing in will restore apps you downloaded from the Samsung Galaxy Store and some settings. If you have a Google account, signing in will restore apps from the Google Play Store and contacts, calendar events, and photos that were backed up to Google Drive.

If you do not remember your Samsung account password, you will need to reset it on a computer or another device before you can proceed. Go to account.samsung.com, click Forgot your password?, and follow the steps to reset it. Then use the new password on your phone.

After you sign in, your phone will read and reinstall your apps. This can take 15 minutes to an hour depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed. Do not interrupt this process.

Backing Up Before You Reset

To save your photos and files, open Settings, go to Accounts and backup, and tap Backup and restore or Samsung Cloud. You can back up photos, videos, messages, contacts, and app data. The backup will save to your Samsung account in the cloud. You can also use Google Drive or Google Photos to back up files — these are built into most Samsung phones and will save your data to your Google account.

If you use a computer, you can also connect your phone with a USB cable and copy photos and files to your computer before resetting. This is the safest method if you have a lot of data you do not want to lose.

When to Call Samsung Support

If your phone is stuck in recovery mode and will not restart, or if it restarts but gets stuck on the setup screen, the phone may have a hardware problem or a software issue that a factory reset cannot fix. Contact Samsung Support through the Samsung Members app (if you can access it) or visit samsung.com/us/support to find your phone model and request help. You can also visit a Samsung service center or an authorized retailer.

If you are locked out because you forgot your Samsung account password and cannot reset it, Samsung Support can help you verify your identity and regain access to your account. Have your phone's serial number (found on the back of the phone or in Settings under About phone) and a form of ID ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Samsung account?

No. A factory reset erases your personal files and apps, but your Samsung account remains linked to the phone. When you restart after the reset, you can sign back in with your account credentials and restore your apps and backed-up data.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No, a factory reset cannot be undone. Once the reset completes, all personal data is gone permanently. This is why backing up before you reset is important. If you have backed up to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive, you can restore that data after you sign back in.

How long does a factory reset take?

A reset through Settings usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. A hard reset using hardware buttons may take 10 to 15 minutes. After the reset, your phone will restart and show the setup screen, which can take another 5 to 10 minutes to complete depending on your internet connection.

What if I reset my phone and forgot to back up my photos?

If your photos were backed up to Google Photos or Samsung Cloud before the reset, they are still in the cloud and will reappear after you sign into your account. If they were not backed up, they are lost. This is why backing up before resetting is critical.

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 or replace the SIM card.