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. After the reset completes, you'll see the same setup screen you saw the first time you turned the phone on.
You might reset your phone if it's running slowly, freezing repeatedly, or behaving erratically. A reset also removes malware or unwanted apps that won't uninstall normally. If you're selling or giving away the phone, a factory reset ensures the new owner won't see your personal data.
Before you reset, 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 are gone from the phone itself.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset deletes everything on your phone and cannot be reversed, so back up your data to Google account or Samsung Cloud before starting.
- You can reset through Settings on most Samsung phones by going to General Management, then Reset, then Factory Data Reset.
- If you've forgotten your Samsung account password or PIN, you may need to verify your identity through Find Mobile or contact Samsung Support before the reset will complete.
- The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the phone, and the phone will restart multiple times during the process.
- After the reset finishes, you'll go through the initial setup again and can sign back into your Google account to restore contacts and some app data.
Back up your data before you start
Your Samsung phone automatically backs up contacts, calendar events, and some app data to your Google account if you've signed in. To confirm this is happening, open Settings, tap Google, then tap Manage your Google Account. Tap the Backup tab to see what's being saved.
For photos and videos, open the Google Photos app, tap your profile picture in the top right, then tap Photos settings. Make sure Backup and sync is turned on. This uploads your photos to Google Photos, where you can read them later even after the reset.
If you use Samsung Cloud instead, open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then tap Samsung Cloud. Tap Backup to manually save your data there. Samsung Cloud stores contacts, messages, app data, and some settings separately from Google's backup.
For files stored in folders on your phone, connect the phone to a computer with a USB cable and copy them to your computer's hard drive. This is the safest way to preserve documents, spreadsheets, or other files you've created.
Reset through Settings on your Samsung phone
This is the standard method and works on all recent Samsung models. Open the Settings app, then scroll down and tap General Management. Tap Reset, then tap Factory Data Reset.
The phone will show you a summary of what will be deleted and ask you to confirm. Read it carefully. Tap Reset at the bottom of the screen. If you see a prompt asking for your Samsung account password or PIN, enter it—Samsung requires this to prevent someone else from erasing your phone without permission.
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 15 minutes. The phone may restart several times. When it finishes, you'll see the initial setup screen asking you to choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi.
What to do if you're locked out of Settings
If you've forgotten your PIN or pattern and cannot unlock the phone, you can still reset it using Find Mobile, Samsung's remote management tool. Go to findmobile.samsung.com on a computer, sign in with your Samsung account, and select your phone from the list. Click Unlock, then follow the prompts to unlock the phone remotely.
Once the phone is unlocked, you can open Settings and perform the factory reset as described above. If you don't remember your Samsung account password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Samsung sign-in page to reset it through your email address.
If you cannot access Find Mobile or don't have a Samsung account linked to the phone, contact Samsung Support. They can verify your identity and walk you through a reset, though this process is slower and may require proof of purchase.
Reset using recovery mode if Settings won't open
If your phone won't boot normally or Settings crashes when you try to open it, you can reset using recovery mode. The steps vary slightly by Samsung model, but the general process is the same.
Power off the phone completely. Then press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time until the Samsung logo appears. Keep holding both buttons until you see the recovery menu. Use the Volume Down button to navigate to Factory Reset or Wipe Data, then press the Power button to select it. The phone will ask you to confirm—select Yes using the Volume buttons and confirm with Power.
Recovery mode reset takes longer than a Settings reset and the phone will restart multiple times. Do not interrupt the process. When it finishes, you'll see the setup screen.
Set up your phone after the reset
When the reset finishes, the phone will guide you through the initial setup. Choose your language and region, then connect to a Wi-Fi network. On the next screen, you'll be asked to sign in with a Google account. Use the same Google account you used before the reset—this will restore your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and some app data automatically.
If you want to restore from a Samsung Cloud backup instead, look for a Restore option during setup and select Samsung Cloud. You'll need to sign in with your Samsung account and choose which backup to restore from.
After setup finishes, open the Google Play Store and reinstall any apps you use regularly. Apps that were backed up to your Google account will show an Install button instead of a price, and you won't be charged again.
Troubleshooting a reset that won't complete
If the reset starts but gets stuck on the progress screen for more than 30 minutes, the phone may have a software problem. Try powering off the phone by holding the Power button for 10 seconds, then power it back on and attempt the reset again.
If the phone keeps getting stuck at the same point, try the recovery mode reset instead. This bypasses the normal operating system and often succeeds when a Settings reset fails.
If neither method works, the phone may have a hardware issue or corrupted system files that a factory reset cannot fix. Contact Samsung Support or visit a Samsung service center. Bring proof of purchase if you have it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove a virus or malware?
A factory reset will remove most malware because it deletes all apps and files. However, some sophisticated malware can hide in the phone's firmware. If your phone behaves strangely after the reset, run a malware scan using Google Play Protect or a reputable antivirus app from the Play Store.
Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?
No. Once you confirm the reset in Settings or recovery mode, the process cannot be stopped or reversed. The phone will continue erasing data even if you try to power it off. Let it finish—interrupting it can damage the phone's software.
What happens to my Samsung account after a reset?
Your Samsung account itself is not deleted. After the reset, you can sign back in with the same username and password. If you had data backed up to Samsung Cloud, you can restore it. Your account remains active on Samsung's servers.
Will I lose my phone number or carrier service?
No. A factory reset does not affect your SIM card, phone number, or carrier service. Your phone will still be able to make calls and use cellular data after the reset. You may need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords if you had them saved.
How do I reset my phone if I forgot my Samsung account password?
Go to account.samsung.com on a computer and click Forgot password. Enter your email address and follow the steps to reset your password through your email. Once you've set a new password, you can use it to confirm the factory reset on your phone.