What a Master Reset Does and When You Need One

A master reset (also called a factory reset) erases everything on your Samsung Galaxy 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 Galaxy running Android 13 will still run Android 13 after the reset, but without any of your personal data.

You might need a master reset if your phone is running slowly, freezing constantly, or behaving erratically. A reset can also help if you are selling or giving away the phone and want to make sure the new owner cannot access your accounts or files. If you forgot your PIN or pattern lock, a reset is one way to regain access, though it will erase everything in the process.

Before you reset, understand that this action cannot be undone. Once the reset completes, your data is gone unless you have a backup stored elsewhere—typically in Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, or another cloud service.

Key Takeaways

  • A master reset erases all personal data and returns your phone to factory settings, and this action cannot be reversed.
  • Back up your photos, contacts, messages, and other important files to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive before you reset.
  • You can reset through Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset, or through the recovery menu if your phone will not start normally.
  • After the reset completes, your phone will restart and ask you to set up as if it were new, including signing into your Samsung or Google account.
  • If you are locked out by a PIN or pattern, you may be able to reset without losing data by signing into your Samsung account instead.

Back Up Your Data Before You Reset

The first step is to save anything you want to keep. Open Settings, then tap Accounts and backup (the exact name varies slightly by model and Android version). Look for Samsung Cloud or Google Account and choose which one you want to use.

If you use Samsung Cloud, tap Back up data and select what you want to save: contacts, messages, calendar events, apps, settings, and more. The backup uploads to Samsung's servers and you can restore it after the reset by signing back into your Samsung account. If you use Google, your contacts and calendar are usually backed up automatically if you are signed into a Google account on the phone.

For photos and videos, open the Gallery app and look for a backup or sync option—many Galaxy phones offer automatic backup to Google Photos or Samsung Cloud. You can also connect your phone to a computer and copy files manually using a USB cable, though this takes longer.

Reset Through Settings (The Normal Route)

If your phone is working well enough to navigate menus, this is the easiest method. Open Settings and scroll down to find General Management. Tap it, then look for Reset or Reset options.

You will see several reset choices. Tap Factory Data Reset or Reset all settings (wording varies by model). The phone will show you a warning that all data will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read this screen carefully—it is your final note to cancel.

The phone will ask for your PIN, pattern, or password to confirm you own it. Enter it, then tap Reset or Delete All. The reset process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Your phone will restart several times and you will see a progress bar. Do not turn off the phone during this time.

Reset Using the Recovery Menu (When Settings Do Not Work)

If your phone is frozen, will not start, or you cannot access Settings, you can reset through the recovery menu. This requires using physical buttons instead of the touchscreen.

First, turn off the phone completely. Then press and hold Volume Up and Power at the same time for several seconds. You will feel a vibration and see the Samsung logo. Keep holding both buttons until the recovery menu appears—this usually takes 5 to 10 seconds after the logo shows.

The recovery menu is text-based and you navigate it with the volume buttons. Use Volume Down to move the highlight to Wipe data / factory reset, then press Power to select it. The phone will ask you to confirm by highlighting Yes and pressing Power again. The reset will then run, which takes several minutes.

If you cannot get the recovery menu to appear, try the button combination for your specific model—some Galaxy phones use Volume Up and Bixby instead, or Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power together. Check your phone's model number in Settings > About phone, then search online for "[your model] recovery menu button combination" to find the exact steps.

What Happens After the Reset Completes

When the reset finishes, your phone will restart and show the initial setup screen, just as if it were brand new. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into a Google account or Samsung account.

If you backed up to Samsung Cloud, sign into your Samsung account during setup and you will be offered the option to restore your backup. Choose Restore and select which data you want to bring back—contacts, messages, apps, and settings will reinstall. This process can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you backed up.

If you backed up to Google, your contacts and calendar will sync automatically once you sign into your Google account. Photos backed up to Google Photos will also reappear in the Gallery app, though they may take a few minutes to read.

You will need to reinstall any apps that were not backed up. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and go to Manage my apps and games > Manage. You will see a list of apps you have installed before. Tap Install next to the ones you want back.

Resetting When You Are Locked Out by a PIN or Pattern

If you forgot your PIN, pattern, or password, a factory reset will let you back in—but it will erase everything. Before you reset, try signing into your Samsung account or Google account on the lock screen. On most Galaxy phones, after you enter the wrong PIN several times, you will see an option to Unlock with Samsung account or Unlock with Google account. If you remember your account password, you can unlock the phone without resetting.

If that option does not appear or you do not remember your account password, then a factory reset through the recovery menu is your next option. Use the button combination described above to reach the recovery menu and select Wipe data / factory reset. This will erase your data, but you will regain access to the phone.

Common Problems and What to Do

The reset seems stuck or is taking much longer than expected. Do not turn off the phone. A factory reset can take 20 to 30 minutes on older models or phones with a lot of storage. If the screen has not changed in over an hour, try a hard restart by holding Power for 10 seconds, then when ready start the reset process again.

The phone will not turn on after the reset. Plug it into a charger for at least 30 minutes—the battery may have drained during the reset. If it still will not turn on, try holding Power for 30 seconds. If the phone remains unresponsive, the reset may have encountered a hardware problem and you should contact Samsung support or visit a service center.

You reset the phone but your data did not restore. Check that you signed into the correct Samsung or Google account during setup. If you signed into a different account than the one you backed up to, your backup will not appear. You can sign out and sign back in with the correct account, though you may need to reset again for the restore option to appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove the Android operating system?

No. A factory reset only erases your personal data and apps. The Android operating system that came with your phone stays in place. Your Galaxy will still run the same version of Android it did before the reset.

Can I undo a factory reset after it is done?

Not directly. Once the reset completes, your data is gone from the phone. Your only option is to restore from a backup you made before the reset. This is why backing up is so important.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting?

No. A factory reset does not affect your SIM card or your phone number. Your carrier information and phone number will remain the same after the reset.

What if I reset my phone and now I cannot sign into my Samsung account?

Make sure you are using the correct email address and password. If you forgot your Samsung account password, go to the Samsung account website on a computer, click Forgot password, and follow the steps to reset it. Once you have set a new password, you can sign in on your phone.

How long does a factory reset usually take?

Most resets complete in 5 to 15 minutes. Older phones or those with large amounts of storage may take 20 to 30 minutes. The phone will restart several times during the process, which is normal.