What a Master Reset Does and When You Need One

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 master reset your phone if it is running slowly, freezing constantly, or behaving erratically in ways that restarting does not fix. A reset also makes sense if you are selling or giving away the phone and want to may support the next owner cannot access your accounts or files. Some people reset before trading in a phone to a carrier or retailer. If you are locked out of your Samsung account and cannot remember the password, a reset may be necessary, though it will also lock you out of some features until you sign back in.

Do not reset your phone expecting it to fix a cracked screen, a dead battery, or hardware damage. A reset only affects software and data, not physical problems.

Key Takeaways

  • A master reset erases all your personal data and returns your phone to factory settings, so back up anything you want to keep before you start.
  • You can reset through Settings on most Samsung phones by going to General Management, then Reset, then Factory Data Reset.
  • If your phone is frozen or you cannot access Settings, you can force a reset using hardware buttons — usually Power and Volume Down held together for several seconds.
  • After a reset, your phone will ask you to sign into your Samsung account and Google account, and you will need the passwords for both.
  • A reset takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on your phone model and how much data was stored on it.

Back Up Your Data Before You Reset

Once you start a master reset, you cannot stop it or recover the data afterward. Before you begin, back up anything you want to keep. The easiest way is to use Samsung Cloud, which stores photos, contacts, messages, and app data on Samsung's servers. Open Settings, go to Accounts and Backup, then Samsung Cloud, and tap Back Up. You can also choose what to back up — you do not have to back up everything.

If you use Google services, your contacts, calendar, and Gmail are already backed up to your Google account automatically. Photos stored in Google Photos are also safe. For other files, photos, or documents stored only on your phone, connect your phone to a computer and copy them to a folder, or upload them to a cloud service like Google Drive or OneDrive.

After the reset, you can restore your Samsung Cloud backup by signing into your Samsung account during the setup process. Google data will restore automatically when you sign into your Google account.

Reset Through Settings (The Standard Method)

If your phone is working well enough to navigate menus, this is the safest way to reset. Open Settings and scroll down to find General Management. Tap it, then look for Reset or Factory Data Reset — the exact wording varies by Samsung model and Android version. Tap that option.

Your phone will show a warning that all data will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read it carefully. Some phones ask you to enter your PIN or password at this point as a safety measure. Once you confirm, the reset begins. Your phone will restart, show a Samsung logo, and then begin the reset process. This can take 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during this time.

When the reset is complete, your phone will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned on the phone. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into your Samsung and Google accounts.

Force Reset Using Hardware Buttons (When Your Phone Is Frozen)

If your phone is completely frozen, will not respond to touches, or will not turn on normally, you can force a reset using the physical buttons on the side of the phone. The button combination varies by model. For most recent Samsung phones, hold the Power button and the Volume Down button together for about 10 seconds until the phone vibrates and the Samsung logo appears. Release the buttons.

Your phone will boot into Recovery Mode, which shows a menu with white text on a black background. Use the Volume Down button to navigate to "Factory Data Reset" or "Wipe Data / Factory Reset." Use the Power button to select it. The phone will ask you to confirm by selecting "Yes" — use the Volume buttons to navigate and Power to select. The reset will then begin.

If the button combination does not work on your model, check your phone's manual or Samsung's support website for your specific model number. The process is the same, but the buttons may differ on older phones or certain regional variants.

What Happens After the Reset

After your phone restarts, it will walk you through setup. You will choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and then be asked to sign into your Samsung account. If you do not remember your Samsung account password, you can reset it on a computer or another device by going to Samsung's account website. You will also be asked to sign into your Google account — use the same Gmail address and password you used before.

Once you sign in, your phone will begin restoring data from your backups. This can take several minutes depending on how much data you have. Your contacts, calendar, and photos will reappear. Apps you had installed will begin downloading from the Google Play Store automatically, though this can take longer if you had many apps.

Your phone may feel slightly slower for the first hour or two after a reset as it indexes files and completes background tasks. This is normal. If you restored from a backup that contained corrupted data or a problem app, the phone may still behave poorly — in that case, you may need to reset again and choose not to restore from backup.

Removing Your Samsung Account Lock After a Reset

If you reset your phone and cannot remember your Samsung account password, you will be stuck on the setup screen. You have two options. First, you can reset your Samsung account password on a computer by going to Samsung's account website, entering your email address, and following the password reset steps. Then use the new password on your phone.

Second, if you do not have access to the email address associated with your Samsung account, you can sign in with a different Google account instead. During setup, when asked to sign into your Samsung account, look for an option to skip or use a different account. You can then sign in with any Google account. You will lose access to Samsung Cloud backups tied to the old account, but your phone will work normally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a master reset fix my phone if it is running slowly?

Sometimes. If slowness is caused by too many apps, corrupted files, or a software glitch, a reset often helps. If slowness is caused by a full storage drive, a reset will free up space. However, if your phone is old or has a slow processor, a reset will not make it faster — it will just be a slow phone with no data on it.

Can I undo a master reset?

No. Once a master reset completes, the data is gone permanently. This is why backing up before you reset is essential. If you have a backup from Samsung Cloud or Google, you can restore it after the reset, but you cannot recover data that was never backed up.

What if I forget my Google password after the reset?

Go to the Google Account Recovery page on a computer and follow the steps to reset your password. You will need access to the phone number or recovery email address associated with your Google account. Once you reset your password, use the new one to sign into your phone.

Does a master reset remove viruses or malware?

A reset removes most malware because it erases all apps and files. However, if malware is stored in your phone's firmware or bootloader, a factory reset may not remove it. For most common malware, a reset is effective. If you suspect serious malware, contact Samsung support or a professional repair service.

How long does a master reset take?

The reset process itself takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on your phone model and how much data was on it. Setup and restoring from backup can take an additional 30 minutes to an hour. During the reset itself, do not turn off your phone or remove the battery.