What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung phone—all apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings—and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is useful when you're selling or giving away the phone, when it's running slowly and you want a fresh start, or when you're troubleshooting a problem that won't go away. The reset itself takes 5 to 15 minutes, though backing up your data first can take much longer depending on how much you have.

Before you reset, understand that this action cannot be undone. Everything will be gone unless you've backed it up first. Samsung phones back up to your Samsung account or Google account automatically if you've turned on those features, but it's worth checking before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your photos, contacts, and other data to your Samsung account or Google account before you reset, because the reset will erase everything on the phone.
  • You can factory reset through Settings on the phone itself, or through Find Mobile (Samsung's remote lock and erase service) if you can't access the phone.
  • The reset process takes about 10 minutes and the phone will restart several times during the process.
  • After the reset completes, you'll see the initial setup screen as if the phone were brand new, and you can sign back into your accounts to restore your data.

How to back up your data before resetting

Open Settings and tap Accounts and backup (or Accounts on some models). Tap Backup and restore, then Back up my data. Make sure the toggle is on. This backs up your contacts, calendar, messages, and app data to your Samsung account. The backup happens automatically in the background, but you can also tap Back up now to start it when ready.

For photos and videos, open Settings, go to Accounts and backup, then Google. Tap Manage your Google Account, then the Storage tab. You'll see how much space you have in Google Photos. If you have room, photos will back up automatically. If you're running low on space, you can delete old photos from your phone first, or pay for extra storage through Google One.

Check that both backups are complete before you proceed. In Settings > Accounts and backup, tap Backup and restore and look for the date of your last backup. It should be recent.

Factory reset through Settings on your phone

Open Settings and scroll down to General management. Tap Reset. You'll see three options: Reset network settings, Reset keyboard settings, and Factory data reset. Tap Factory data reset.

The phone will show you a warning that all data will be erased. Read it carefully. Tap Reset at the bottom. If your phone is locked with a PIN, password, or fingerprint, you'll need to enter it now to confirm you own the device. Enter your security code and tap Delete all.

The phone will restart and show a progress bar. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during this time. The reset usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. The phone may restart two or three times. When it's done, you'll see the initial setup screen with the Samsung or Google logo.

Factory reset using Find Mobile if you can't access the phone

If your phone is lost, stolen, or won't turn on, you can erase it remotely using Find Mobile, Samsung's service. Go to findmobile.samsung.com on a computer or another device. Sign in with the Samsung account that's linked to the phone you want to reset.

Click on the phone you want to reset from the list of devices. Click More and then Unlock or Erase Data. Choose Erase Data. The phone will be erased the next time it connects to the internet. If the phone is offline, the erase command will wait until it comes back online.

This method requires that you set up a Samsung account on the phone before it was lost or locked. If you didn't, you won't be able to use Find Mobile.

What happens after the reset is complete

When the reset finishes, the phone boots up to the initial setup screen. You'll be asked to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to a Google account or Samsung account. If you had a Google account on the phone before, sign in with the same account. Your contacts, calendar, and Google Photos will restore automatically.

If you had a Samsung account, sign in to that as well. Your Samsung-backed-up data—contacts, messages, and app settings—will restore. This can take a few minutes depending on how much data you have. Do not turn off the phone during this time.

After sign-in is complete, your phone will look and feel like a new device, but your data will be back. You may need to reinstall some apps from the Google Play Store if they didn't restore automatically.

Common mistakes to avoid during a factory reset

Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery while the reset is running. The phone needs to complete the entire process without interruption, or it may get stuck in a boot loop and become unusable. If the phone does get stuck, you may need to take it to a Samsung service center.

Do not assume your data is backed up just because you have a Samsung or Google account. Check the backup status in Settings before you start the reset. If you skip this step and the backup didn't run, your data will be gone.

Do not forget your Google or Samsung account password. After the reset, you'll need to sign back in to restore your data. If you don't remember the password, you'll have to recover it through Google or Samsung's account recovery process, which can take time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account from the phone?

Yes. After the reset, the phone will ask you to sign in to a Google account during setup. You can sign back in with the same account you used before, and your data will restore. If you don't sign in, the phone will work but you won't have access to your backed-up data.

Can I factory reset my Samsung phone without a computer?

Yes. You can reset through Settings on the phone itself without needing a computer. The only time you need a computer is if you want to use Find Mobile to erase the phone remotely, or if you want to back up files to a computer before resetting.

What if I forgot my PIN and can't access Settings?

You can still erase the phone using Find Mobile at findmobile.samsung.com if you remember your Samsung account password. If you don't have a Samsung account set up, you'll need to take the phone to a Samsung service center or contact Samsung support.

How long does it take to restore my data after a factory reset?

Signing back into your accounts and restoring data usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how much data you have and how fast your internet connection is. Photos and large files may take longer to read. Let the phone sit and complete the restore before using it heavily.

Will a factory reset fix my phone if it's running slowly?

A factory reset often improves performance because it removes apps, cached files, and settings that may have accumulated over time. However, if the phone is slow because of a hardware problem, the reset won't fix it. If slowness returns after a few weeks, the problem may be hardware-related.