How to Format a Samsung Galaxy Phone or Tablet

What formatting does and when you need it

Formatting a Samsung Galaxy device erases all data on it and returns the phone or tablet to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is a permanent action — once you format, the files are gone. You might format because you are selling or giving away the device, you have forgotten your PIN or password, the device is running slowly or freezing, or you want to start fresh after a software update goes wrong.

Before you format, back up anything you want to keep. Samsung devices can back up to Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, or your computer. If you do not back up first, you will lose photos, messages, contacts, and app data that is not stored in the cloud.

Key Takeaways

Formatting erases everything on your device and cannot be undone, so back up your photos, contacts, and messages before you start.
You can format through Settings on most Galaxy phones and tablets, but a locked device requires you to enter your Samsung account password or PIN first.
If you have forgotten your password and cannot format through Settings, you can format using a computer and Samsung's Find Mobile or a tool like Odin.
After formatting, your device will restart and ask you to set it up again, including signing into your Google account.
Formatting takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on the device.

Backing up your data before you format

Samsung Galaxy devices back up to Samsung Cloud automatically if you have signed in with a Samsung account. Open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then Samsung Cloud, and check that Contacts, Messages, and other items show a green checkmark. Photos and videos back up to Google Photos if you have turned on backup in the Google Photos app.

If you want a copy on your computer, connect your Galaxy device to a Windows or Mac computer with a USB cable. On Windows, your device appears in File Explorer as a portable device; on Mac, use Android File Transfer. Drag your DCIM folder (photos and videos) and Documents folder to your computer.

Write down your Google account email and password before you format. You will need to sign back in after the device restarts, and if you cannot remember your password, you will be locked out of your own device.

Formatting through Settings on an unlocked device

If you know your PIN, pattern, or password, this is the fastest way. Open Settings and scroll down to General management. Tap Reset, then Reset all settings or Factory data reset (the exact name varies by model and Android version). The device will show you what will be erased and ask you to confirm.

Some Galaxy devices ask you to enter your PIN or password again before they proceed. This is a safety feature to prevent someone else from wiping your phone without permission. Enter it and tap Reset or Erase all.

The device will restart and begin erasing. This takes 10 to 30 minutes. Do not turn off the device or remove the battery during this time. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen, the same one you saw when the device was new.

Formatting a device locked with a PIN or password you forgot

If you cannot get into Settings, you have two main routes: using your Samsung account or using a computer.

Using your Samsung account: On the lock screen, tap Forgot password or Forgot PIN. The device will ask you to enter your Samsung account email and password. If you remember these, enter them and the device will let you reset your PIN or password, then you can format through Settings as described above.

Using a computer: If you do not remember your Samsung account password, you can format using Samsung Find Mobile (if your device is registered) or a tool like Odin. Find Mobile works only if you set it up before you locked yourself out. Go to findmobile.samsung.com on a computer, sign in with your Samsung account, select your device, and choose Unlock or Factory reset. The device must be connected to the internet for this to work.

If Find Mobile is not an option, you will need Odin, a Windows tool that communicates with your Galaxy device through a USB cable. This route is more technical and requires downloading the correct firmware file for your exact model. Many repair shops use Odin rather than doing it yourself, and that is often the faster choice if you are not comfortable with the process.

Formatting a device locked with your face or fingerprint

If your device is locked with face unlock or a fingerprint but you do not remember your backup PIN, the process is the same as above: use your Samsung account on the lock screen, or use Find Mobile or Odin from a computer. The face and fingerprint locks do not have a separate "forgot" option — they fall back to your PIN or password.

If you have a Samsung account but cannot remember the password, you can reset it at account.samsung.com before you attempt to format. This saves time because you will not be stuck at the lock screen.

Setting up your device after formatting

When your Galaxy device restarts after formatting, it will show the setup screen. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into your Google account. Use the same Google account you used before — this will restore your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and any apps you downloaded from the Play Store.

After you sign in, the device will read and reinstall your apps. This can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many apps you had. You can use the device while this happens, but it will be slower.

Samsung Cloud will ask whether you want to restore your Samsung account data (contacts, messages, and device settings). If you backed up before formatting, choose Restore and your data will come back.

When to call a professional instead

If you have forgotten both your PIN and your Samsung account password, and you do not have access to the email address tied to your Samsung account, a repair shop or carrier store can help. Bring your device and a photo ID. They may be able to verify your identity and reset your account, or they can format the device using their tools.

If your device will not turn on, will not charge, or is physically damaged, formatting will not fix it. Take it to a repair shop first to rule out a hardware problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will formatting remove my Google account from the device?

Yes. After formatting, the device will ask you to sign in again. If you sign back in with the same Google account, your contacts, calendar, and apps will restore. If you sign in with a different account, you will start with a blank device.

Can I format my Galaxy tablet the same way as my phone?

Yes. The steps are identical. Open Settings, go to General management, tap Reset, and choose Factory data reset. Tablets use the same Samsung and Google accounts as phones, so back up the same way.

What if my device is stuck on the setup screen after formatting?

Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi and that your Google account password is correct. If you see an error message, try signing in again. If the device is still stuck after three attempts, restart it by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try again.

Does formatting remove the operating system?

No. Formatting erases your files and apps but leaves the Android operating system and Samsung software in place. The device will have the same version of Android it had before you formatted.

How long does formatting actually take?

The erase itself usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. Setting up the device afterward (downloading apps, signing into accounts) can take another hour. Do not turn off the device during the erase phase.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.