What a Master Reset Does and When to Use It

A master reset, also called a factory reset, erases everything on your Samsung phone and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This means all your photos, messages, apps, contacts, and settings disappear. The operating system itself stays the same — a phone running Android 13 will still run Android 13 after the reset, but without any of your personal data.

You should do a master reset when you plan to sell or give away your phone, when you're experiencing serious software problems that won't go away, or when you want to start completely fresh. Do not do a master reset if you haven't backed up your photos and important files first — once they're gone, standard recovery is not possible.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your photos, contacts, and files to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or your computer before you start, because a master reset deletes everything on the phone.
  • You can reset through Settings on the phone itself, or through Find My Mobile if you've forgotten your PIN or password.
  • The reset takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the phone, and the phone will restart several times during the process.
  • After the reset completes, the phone will ask you to sign in with a Google account or Samsung account before you can use it.

Back Up Your Data Before You Reset

The easiest backup method is to use your Google account, which is already on your Samsung phone. Open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then Backup and restore. Tap Back up to Google Drive and make sure the toggle is on. This backs up your contacts, calendar, app data, and some settings — not your photos or videos.

To back up 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. This uploads your photos to your Google account. If you have a Samsung account, you can also use Samsung Cloud — go to Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then Samsung Cloud, and turn on the backup toggle.

If you want to keep files on your computer instead, connect your phone to a computer with a USB cable, open the phone's file manager on your computer, and drag your photos and documents to a folder on your hard drive. This takes longer but gives you a local copy you control.

Reset Through Settings If You Know Your PIN

Open Settings on your phone. Scroll down and tap General management. Tap Reset. You will see three options: Reset network settings, Reset app preferences, and Factory data reset. Tap Factory data reset.

The phone will show you a warning that all data will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read it carefully. Tap Reset or Delete all (the exact wording varies by Samsung model). If your phone is locked with a PIN, password, or fingerprint, you will be asked to enter it now. This is a security step to prevent someone else from erasing your phone without permission.

The phone will restart and begin erasing data. You will see a progress bar. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during this time. The process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, the phone will restart again and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the phone was brand new.

Reset Using Find My Mobile If You're Locked Out

If you've forgotten your PIN, password, or pattern, you can reset the phone through Samsung's Find My Mobile service. Go to findmymobile.samsung.com on a computer and sign in with the Samsung account that is registered to the phone. If you don't have a Samsung account, you can create one during this step.

Once you're signed in, you should see your phone listed. Click on it, then look for an option called Unlock or Factory reset. Click Factory reset. The website will send a command to your phone. Your phone must be powered on and connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) for this to work. The reset will begin on the phone automatically.

If your phone is not showing up in Find My Mobile, it means Find My Mobile was not turned on when you set up the phone. In that case, you will need to take the phone to a Samsung service center or contact Samsung support, because there is no other way to reset a locked phone remotely.

What Happens After the Reset Completes

When the reset finishes, your phone will show the setup screen. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. Use the same Google account you used before the reset — this will restore your contacts, calendar, and backed-up app data automatically.

After you sign in, the phone will take a few minutes to read and reinstall your apps from the Google Play Store. You don't need to do anything during this time. Once the apps are installed, your phone will be ready to use. Your photos will appear in Google Photos if you backed them up before the reset.

If you're selling or giving away the phone, do not sign in with your account. Instead, power off the phone and hand it to the new owner. They will see the setup screen and can sign in with their own account.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake is resetting without backing up first. Once the reset is done, your photos and messages are gone permanently. Before you start, spend 10 minutes making sure your important files are in Google Drive, Google Photos, or on your computer.

Another common mistake is turning off the phone during the reset. The phone will restart several times on its own — this is normal. Let it finish completely, even if it seems stuck on a loading screen for a minute or two. Turning it off in the middle can leave the phone in an unusable state.

Do not reset the phone if you're not sure you remember the Google account password. After the reset, you will need to sign in with that account to use the phone. If you don't remember the password, go to accounts.google.com on a computer and reset it before you reset the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove the Android operating system?

No. A factory reset only removes your personal data and apps. The Android operating system stays on the phone. If your phone is running Android 13, it will still run Android 13 after the reset.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. Once the reset is complete, the data is gone. This is why backing up before you reset is so important. If you backed up to Google Drive or Google Photos, you can sign in with your Google account after the reset and your backed-up data will return.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most resets take 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. If your phone has a lot of data on it, it may take longer. The phone will restart several times during the process, which is normal.

Do I need to charge my phone before I reset it?

Yes. Make sure your battery is at least 50 percent full before you start. If the battery dies during the reset, the phone may not finish the process correctly. It's safest to plug the phone in and let it charge to 100 percent before you begin.

What if my phone is stuck on the setup screen after the reset?

Try restarting the phone by holding the power button for 10 seconds until it turns off, then turn it back on. If it's still stuck, connect to Wi-Fi and wait a few minutes — sometimes the phone needs time to read system updates. If nothing works, contact Samsung support or visit a Samsung service center.