What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung phone — all your photos, messages, apps, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is different from a regular restart, which just turns the phone off and back on without deleting anything.
You might reset your phone if it's running slowly, freezing constantly, or acting unpredictably. A reset also removes all your personal data before you sell or give away the phone. If you've forgotten your PIN or pattern lock, a reset is sometimes the only way to regain access, though Samsung has added protections that make this harder than it used to be.
Before you reset, understand that you will lose everything that isn't backed up. Photos stored only on your phone, text messages, downloaded apps, and custom settings will all be gone. If you have a Samsung account or Google account linked to your phone, some data (like contacts and calendar events) may restore automatically after the reset.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset deletes all data on your phone and returns it to factory settings, so back up anything you want to keep first.
- 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 lock code, you may be able to reset through Samsung Find Mobile, but you'll need your Samsung account credentials.
- After a reset, your phone will ask you to sign in with a Google account or Samsung account, and some data will restore if you choose that option.
- A reset takes 5 to 15 minutes and your phone will restart several times during the process.
How to reset through Settings on an unlocked phone
If you can unlock your phone normally, the fastest way to reset is through the Settings app. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap General Management (the exact name varies slightly by model and Android version, but it's always in the main Settings menu). Tap Reset, then tap Factory Data Reset.
Your phone will show you a summary of what will be deleted and ask you to confirm. Read it carefully — this is your final note to back out. Tap Reset or Delete All (the button name depends on your model). Your phone will restart and begin erasing data. This takes several minutes. Do not turn off your phone during this time.
When the reset is complete, your phone will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it's brand new. You'll be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. If you sign in with the same account you used before, your phone will restore contacts, calendar events, and some app data automatically.
Resetting a phone you've locked yourself out of
If you've forgotten your PIN, pattern, or password and can't unlock your phone, you have limited options. Samsung phones with a Samsung account can be reset through Samsung Find Mobile, which you access from any web browser at findmobile.samsung.com. Sign in with your Samsung account, select your phone from the list, and choose the option to unlock or reset it.
This process requires that you remember your Samsung account email and password. If you don't have a Samsung account or can't remember the credentials, you'll need to contact Samsung Support or visit a Samsung service center. They can verify your ownership and help you regain access, but this usually takes longer and may involve a fee.
Google also offers a recovery option called Find My Mobile (different from Samsung's service). If your phone is connected to a Google account and has internet access, you can visit google.com/android/find, sign in with that Google account, and choose to lock or erase the device. However, this requires the phone to have data or Wi-Fi access, which a locked phone may not have.
What happens after the reset is complete
Your phone will boot up and show the Welcome or Setup screen. You'll choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and then be asked to sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. This step is important: if you sign in with the same account you used before the reset, your phone will restore backed-up data like contacts, calendar events, photos stored in Google Photos or Samsung Cloud, and some app settings.
If you don't sign in with an account, or if you sign in with a different account, your phone will start completely fresh with no previous data. You'll need to reinstall any apps you want from the Google Play Store, and you'll lose any data that wasn't backed up to the cloud.
After setup is complete, your phone will work normally. It may take a few minutes to read and install updates if your phone hasn't been updated recently. This is normal and expected.
Backing up your data before a reset
If you still have access to your phone, back up your data before you reset. The easiest way is through your Google account: open Settings, tap Google, then Manage your Google Account, then the Backup tab. Make sure Backup to Google One is turned on. This backs up contacts, calendar, photos, messages, and app data.
For photos and videos, you can also use Google Photos. Open the app, tap your profile picture, then Photos settings, then Backup and sync, and turn it on. This backs up all photos and videos to your Google account (up to a limit depending on your storage plan).
If you use Samsung Cloud instead, open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then Samsung Cloud, and make sure backup is turned on. This backs up similar data to Samsung's servers instead of Google's. You can use both services at the same time if you want extra redundancy.
Troubleshooting a reset that won't start or won't complete
If you tap Factory Data Reset and nothing happens, your phone may not have enough battery. Plug it in and wait for the battery to reach at least 50% before trying again. A reset requires enough power to complete the entire process.
If the reset starts but gets stuck on a loading screen or restarts repeatedly, try a hard reset (also called a force restart). Hold the Volume Up button and Power button together for about 10 seconds until the phone vibrates and the Samsung logo appears. Release the buttons and let the phone restart. This is different from a factory reset and won't erase your data — it just forces the phone to shut down and start fresh.
If the phone is still stuck, you may need to use Recovery Mode. Turn off the phone completely, then hold Volume Up and Power together until the recovery menu appears. Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and press Power to select it. This is a more technical method and should only be used if the normal reset method fails.
When to contact Samsung Support instead of resetting
If your phone is stuck in a boot loop (restarting over and over), won't turn on at all, or shows an error message during the reset process, a factory reset may not fix the problem. These are signs of a hardware issue or a corrupted system file that only Samsung Support or a service center can address.
If your phone is under warranty, contact Samsung Support before attempting a reset. Depending on the issue, they may be able to help you without erasing your data, or they may replace the phone entirely. You can reach Samsung Support through the Samsung Members app (built into most Samsung phones) or by visiting samsung.com/us/support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my phone?
A factory reset will remove most malware because it erases everything on the phone. However, if malware is stored in your Google or Samsung account, it could return when you sign back in. After resetting, be cautious about which apps you reinstall and only read from the official Google Play Store.
Can I undo a factory reset after it's done?
No, a factory reset cannot be undone. Once the data is erased, it's gone unless you backed it up to Google, Samsung Cloud, or another service. This is why backing up before you reset is so important.
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish, including the initial restart and the final setup screen. The exact time depends on how much data is on your phone and which Samsung model you have.
Do I need to remove my SIM card or SD card before resetting?
No, you don't need to remove either one. A factory reset only erases the phone's internal storage, not the SIM card or SD card. However, if you have photos or files stored on an SD card, they will remain after the reset.
What if I don't remember my Samsung account password?
Visit account.samsung.com and click Forgot password? You'll be asked to verify your identity using your email address or phone number. Samsung will send you a link to reset your password. If you can't verify your identity, you may need to contact Samsung Support with proof of purchase.