What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung Galaxy phone — all photos, messages, apps, settings, and accounts — and returns the device to the state it left the factory. The phone itself keeps working; you are not breaking anything. You are clearing the storage and starting fresh.
You might factory reset because the phone is running slowly, apps keep crashing, you are selling or giving it away, or you forgot your PIN and cannot get past the lock screen. A reset also removes malware if your phone has picked up something harmful. It is one of the most thorough fixes available for a phone that is misbehaving.
Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. A factory reset cannot be undone. Photos, contacts, and messages will be gone unless you have saved them to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or another backup service first.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, contacts, and messages to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud before you reset, because the reset erases everything on the phone.
- You can factory reset through Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset on most Samsung Galaxy models.
- If you are locked out of the phone, you can reset it from the recovery menu by holding Power and Volume Up together when the phone is off.
- After the reset completes, the phone will restart and ask you to sign in with a Google account, which you will need to set up the phone again.
- A factory reset takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the phone.
Factory reset through Settings on an unlocked phone
If you can unlock your phone normally, the Settings route is the simplest. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap General Management. Tap Reset, then tap Factory Data Reset. The phone will show you a summary of what will be erased and ask you to confirm.
Read the list carefully. It will tell you which accounts are signed in and which data will be removed. Tap Reset to confirm. The phone will restart and begin erasing data. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during this process — let it finish on its own, which usually takes 5 to 15 minutes.
When the reset is complete, the phone will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the phone was new. You will be asked to sign in with a Google account. If you do not remember your Google password, you can reset it on a computer or another device before you start the factory reset.
Factory reset from the recovery menu if you are locked out
If you cannot unlock the phone because you forgot your PIN, pattern, or password, you can reset it from the recovery menu. Turn off the phone completely. Then hold the Power button and Volume Up button together until the Samsung logo appears — this usually takes 10 to 15 seconds. Keep holding both buttons until the recovery menu appears.
The recovery menu shows text options. Use the Volume Down button to scroll to Wipe Data / Factory Reset, then press the Power button to select it. The phone will ask you to confirm. Scroll to Yes using Volume Down, then press Power to confirm. The reset will begin. Do not interrupt it.
This method works on most Samsung Galaxy phones, but the exact button combination or menu wording may differ slightly on older models. If you are not sure which buttons to hold, check the manual for your specific model number, which you can find in Settings > About Phone > Model Number.
What to do if you are signed into a Samsung account
If you signed into a Samsung account on the phone, the factory reset will ask you to sign back in with that account after the reset completes. This is a security feature called Reactivation Lock, and it prevents someone else from using your phone if it is stolen.
If you remember your Samsung account password, sign in after the reset and the phone will finish setting up normally. If you do not remember the password, you can reset it on a computer at account.samsung.com before you factory reset the phone, or you can reset it after the reset completes by tapping Forgot Password on the sign-in screen.
If you are selling or giving away the phone and do not want to sign back in, you can remove the Samsung account from Settings > Accounts > Samsung Account before you factory reset. This removes the Reactivation Lock requirement.
What to do if you are signed into a Google account
After the factory reset, the phone will ask you to sign in with a Google account. This is normal. If you remember the Google account email and password that was on the phone before the reset, use those. If you do not, you can sign in with a different Google account instead.
If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at google.com on a computer or another device, then use that account to sign in after the reset. You will need a Google account to read apps from the Google Play Store and to back up your data in the future.
If you are giving the phone to someone else, do not sign in with your own Google account. Let the new owner sign in with their own account instead, or sign in with a temporary account and then remove it from Settings > Accounts > Google after the setup is complete.
Backing up your data before you reset
Google automatically backs up some data — contacts, calendar events, and some app data — if you are signed into a Google account and have backup turned on. You can check this in Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Backup. Photos and messages are usually not included in this automatic backup.
To back up photos, open Google Photos and tap your profile picture in the top right, then tap Photos Settings and turn on Backup and Sync. This uploads your photos to Google Drive. Samsung Cloud also backs up photos, contacts, and messages if you are signed into a Samsung account. Open Settings > Accounts > Samsung Account > Backup and turn on what you want to save.
For messages, most text message apps do not back up automatically. If your messages are important, export them to a file or take screenshots before you reset. Some third-party apps like SMS Backup+ can back up text messages to Gmail.
Troubleshooting a reset that will not complete
If the phone gets stuck during a factory reset, the most common cause is a low battery. Plug the phone into a charger and let it charge for at least 30 minutes before you try again. If the phone is stuck on the recovery menu screen, hold Power for 10 seconds to force it to shut down, then charge it.
If the reset keeps failing and the phone will not turn on, you may need to use Samsung's Find Mobile service or contact Samsung support. Do not try to force the phone apart or remove the battery — that can cause permanent damage. If the phone is under warranty, Samsung may replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Google account?
The factory reset erases the account from the phone, but it does not delete the Google account itself. After the reset, the phone will ask you to sign in again. Your Google account still exists and you can sign in with the same email and password.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset cannot be undone. If you have a backup in Google Drive or Samsung Cloud, you can restore photos and some data after you sign back in, but anything not backed up is permanently gone. Always back up before you reset.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most factory resets take 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. Phones with more data stored on them may take longer. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery while the reset is running.
Do I need a computer to factory reset my Samsung Galaxy?
No. You can factory reset using only the phone itself, either through Settings or through the recovery menu. You do not need a computer, but having one nearby to reset your Google password can be helpful if you forget it.
What if I forgot my Google password and cannot sign in after the reset?
On the sign-in screen after the reset, tap Forgot Password. Google will send a recovery link to your backup email or phone number. If you do not have access to those, use a computer to go to google.com/accounts/recovery and follow the steps to regain access to your account.