What a factory reset does and when to use it
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung phone — all apps you installed, photos, messages, contacts, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. After the reset completes, you will see the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned on the phone.
Factory resets are useful when your phone is running slowly, freezing repeatedly, or behaving erratically. They also remove malware or unwanted apps that won't uninstall normally. If you are selling or giving away your phone, a factory reset ensures the new owner cannot access your personal data.
A factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone. Before you start, back up anything you want to keep — photos, contacts, messages, and app data. Your Samsung account can back up many of these items automatically if you set it up beforehand.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset deletes everything on your phone and returns it to its original state; back up your data first because the reset cannot be reversed.
- You can reset your phone through Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset, or through the recovery menu if your phone won't start normally.
- The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on your phone.
- After the reset completes, you will need to sign in with your Samsung account or Google account to restore some backed-up data and set up the phone again.
- If you forgot your Samsung or Google password, you will need to recover it before the reset, because you cannot skip the sign-in screen afterward.
Back up your data before resetting
The fastest way to back up a Samsung phone is through your Samsung account. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Backup and restore > Back up my data. Choose which items to back up — contacts, messages, app data, and settings are common choices — and tap Back up now. This process usually takes a few minutes depending on how much data you have.
If you use Google services, your Google account also backs up contacts, calendar events, and some app data automatically. You can check what is backed up by going to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Data & privacy. Photos and videos can be backed up to Google Photos, Samsung Cloud, or another cloud service of your choice.
Write down any passwords you use regularly — for email, banking, social media, or work accounts — because you will need them to sign back in after the reset. If you use two-factor authentication on any accounts, make sure you have access to the phone number or authentication app you use for those accounts.
Reset through Settings if your phone starts normally
If your Samsung phone turns on and responds to touches, use the Settings method. Open Settings and scroll down to find General Management (the name varies slightly by model and Android version, but it is usually near the bottom of the main Settings list). Tap General Management, then look for Reset or Reset options.
Tap Factory Data Reset or Erase all data. The phone will show a warning that all data will be deleted and ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully. Tap the button to confirm — it is usually labeled Reset or Erase. The phone will restart and begin erasing data. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during this process.
The reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Your phone may restart several times. When it finishes, you will see the initial setup screen asking you to choose a language and sign in. The reset is complete at this point.
Reset through recovery mode if your phone won't start
If your Samsung phone is frozen, won't turn on, or is stuck in a boot loop, you can reset it through recovery mode. First, turn off the phone completely. If it is frozen and won't respond to the power button, hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black.
Once the phone is off, hold the power button and volume up button together. Keep holding both buttons until you see the Samsung logo or the recovery menu appears — this usually takes 5 to 10 seconds. Release the buttons. You will see a menu with options in white text on a dark background.
Use the volume down button to scroll to Wipe data/factory reset or Factory data reset. Press the power button to select it. The menu will ask you to confirm. Use the volume down button to highlight Yes, then press the power button. The phone will erase all data and restart. This process takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not interrupt it.
Set up your phone after the reset
When your phone restarts after the reset, you will see the initial setup screen. Choose your language and region, then connect to a Wi-Fi network. The phone will ask you to sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. Use the same account you used before the reset if you want to restore backed-up data.
If you backed up data to your Samsung account, the phone will ask whether you want to restore it. Select Restore to bring back contacts, messages, app data, and settings. If you backed up to Google, sign in with your Google account and the phone will restore Google contacts and calendar events automatically.
After sign-in, the phone will read and install apps from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store that were on your phone before the reset. 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.
What to do if you forgot your password
If you forgot your Samsung account password, go to the Samsung account website on a computer and use the password recovery option. You will need access to the email address or phone number associated with your account. Samsung will send you a link to reset your password.
If you forgot your Google account password, go to the Google account recovery page on a computer. Google will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. Once you reset your Google password, you can use it to sign in after your phone resets.
If you cannot recover your password before the reset, you will be stuck at the sign-in screen after the reset completes. Some Samsung phones have a way to bypass this using your phone number or email, but the process varies by model. Contact Samsung support or visit a carrier store if you are locked out after a reset.
Common problems during and after reset
If your phone gets stuck during the reset, do not turn it off. Wait at least 30 minutes — the reset may be running slowly if your phone has a lot of data. If it is still stuck after 30 minutes, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force it off, then try the reset again from recovery mode.
If your phone resets but then gets stuck on the setup screen, try restarting it. Hold the power button for 10 seconds, release it, and wait for the phone to turn back on. If it is still stuck, try resetting again. If the problem continues, your phone may have a hardware issue and you should contact Samsung support.
If you see an error message during the reset, write down the exact message and search for it on Samsung's support website or contact Samsung directly. Some errors are caused by a full storage drive or a corrupted system file, and Samsung support can walk you through fixes specific to your error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Google account?
A factory reset removes your account from the phone, but it does not delete your Google account itself. After the reset, you will need to sign in with your Google account again. Your Google account will still exist and you can access it from any device.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No, a factory reset cannot be undone. Once it completes, all data is permanently erased. This is why backing up before you reset is important. If you backed up your data, you can restore it after signing in with your account.
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. If your phone has a lot of data or a slow processor, it may take longer. Do not turn off your phone or remove the battery while the reset is running.
Do I need to charge my phone before resetting?
Yes, charge your phone to at least 50 percent battery before starting a factory reset. If the battery dies during the reset, your phone may not restart properly. Plug it in and let it charge fully before you begin.
Will a factory reset fix my phone if it is frozen?
A factory reset often fixes freezing, slowness, and crashes caused by too many apps or corrupted data. However, if the problem is caused by a hardware issue like a failing storage drive, a reset will not fix it. If your phone still has problems after the reset, contact Samsung support.