What a Factory Reset Does and When to Use It

A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung Galaxy phone—all photos, messages, apps, contacts, and settings—and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. After the reset completes, you'll see the initial setup screen, as if you just unboxed the phone for the first time.

You might reset your phone before selling it, giving it away, or trading it in. You might also reset it if the phone is running slowly, freezing constantly, or behaving erratically after a software update. A reset can fix software problems that restarting alone cannot.

Before you start, understand that this action cannot be undone. Back up anything you want to keep—photos, contacts, messages, documents—to your Google account, Samsung Cloud, or a computer. Once the reset finishes, those files will be gone from the phone itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your photos, contacts, and messages to Google or Samsung Cloud before you reset, because the reset will erase everything on the phone.
  • You can reset your phone through Settings, or through the recovery menu if the phone won't turn on or respond normally.
  • The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the phone, and the phone will restart several times.
  • After the reset finishes, you'll need to sign in with a Google account and set up the phone again from the beginning.
  • If you forget the Google account password or the phone asks for it after the reset, you won't be able to use the phone until you provide it.

How to Reset Through Settings (The Standard Method)

This is the easiest route if your phone turns on and responds to touch. Open Settings and scroll down to find General management (on some models it may be labeled System). Tap it.

Look for Reset or Reset options and tap it. You'll see several choices: Reset network settings, Reset app preferences, and Factory data reset (sometimes called Erase all data). Tap Factory data reset.

The phone will show you a warning that all data will be erased. Read it carefully. If you're certain you want to proceed, tap Reset or Delete all. The phone may ask you to enter your PIN or pattern to confirm. Do so.

The reset will begin. You'll see a progress bar or spinning icon. The phone may restart one or more times. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during this process. Let it finish completely—this usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data was stored.

How to Reset Using the Recovery Menu (If the Phone Won't Start Normally)

If your phone won't turn on, won't respond to touch, or is stuck in a boot loop, you can reset it through the recovery menu. First, turn off the phone completely. If it's frozen, hold the power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down.

Press and hold Power + Volume Up + Bixby (the button on the left side) at the same time. Keep holding all three buttons until you see the Samsung logo or the recovery menu appears. This usually takes 5 to 10 seconds. Then release the buttons.

You'll see a menu with options in white text on a black background. Use the Volume Down button to scroll down to Wipe data/factory reset. Press the Power button to select it.

The phone will ask you to confirm. Scroll down to Yes using Volume Down, then press Power to confirm. The reset will begin. Do not interrupt it. When it finishes, you'll see Reboot system now highlighted. Press Power to restart the phone.

What Happens After the Reset Completes

When the phone restarts, you'll see the initial setup screen in your language. You'll be asked to connect to Wi-Fi, sign in with a Google account, and set your preferences for location, notifications, and other features. This is the same process you went through when the phone was new.

You must sign in with a Google account to use the phone. If you don't remember the password, you can reset it on a computer at accounts.google.com before you continue. If you sign in with the wrong account or forget the password after the reset, the phone will lock you out until you provide the correct credentials.

After setup completes, the phone will be empty. Your apps are gone. Your photos are gone. Your messages are gone. If you backed up your contacts and photos to Google, you can restore them by opening Settings, going to Accounts, selecting your Google account, and tapping Sync. Google will read your backed-up data back to the phone over the next few minutes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery while the reset is running. If the power cuts out mid-reset, the phone may become unusable. If you have a removable battery (older Samsung models), leave it in place until the reset finishes and the phone restarts on its own.

Do not assume your backed-up data will restore automatically. After you sign in with your Google account, you may need to manually sync your contacts and calendar. Open Settings, tap Accounts, select Google, choose your account, and tap Sync now. Photos backed up to Google Photos will appear in the Google Photos app, not in your phone's gallery, unless you change the settings.

Do not forget your Google account password. Write it down or store it somewhere safe before you reset. If you lock yourself out, you'll need to prove you own the account by answering security questions or checking a recovery email address.

If the Reset Doesn't Fix Your Problem

If the phone is still slow, freezing, or behaving strangely after the reset, the problem may be hardware-related rather than software-related. A factory reset can only fix software issues. If the issue persists, contact Samsung support or visit a repair shop to have the phone examined.

If the phone won't complete the reset or gets stuck on the recovery menu, it may have a corrupted system file. This is rare but can happen if a software update was interrupted. Samsung support can help you reinstall the system software using a computer and Samsung's official tools.

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 with a Google account again. You can use the same account you used before, or a different one. If you use the same account and had backed up your data, your contacts and photos will sync back to the phone automatically.

Can I reset my phone if I forgot my PIN?

Yes. Use the recovery menu method instead of Settings. You don't need to know your PIN to access the recovery menu. However, after the reset completes, you'll need to sign in with a Google account, so make sure you know that password.

How do I back up my photos before I reset?

Open the Google Photos app, tap your profile picture in the top right, and tap Photos settings. Turn on Backup and sync. Your photos will upload to your Google account over Wi-Fi. You can also use Samsung Cloud by opening Settings, tapping Accounts, selecting Samsung account, and turning on Sync.

What if my phone asks for a Google account after the reset and I can't remember the password?

On a computer, go to accounts.google.com and click Sign in. Click Forgot password? and follow the steps to reset it. You'll need access to a recovery email address or phone number you set up with the account. Once you've reset the password, use it to sign in on your phone.

Does a factory reset remove viruses or malware?

A factory reset will remove most malware because it erases the entire system and reinstalls it fresh. However, if malware is stored in your Google account itself, it may return when you sign back in. If you suspect your account is compromised, change your Google password before signing in on the reset phone.