The Two Ways to Reset a Samsung Phone

A factory reset wipes your Samsung phone back to the state it left the factory — all your photos, messages, apps, and settings are erased. You have two routes: through the Settings menu on the phone itself, or through Samsung Find Mobile (the online tool) if you cannot access your phone. Both take about 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish, though the phone will restart several times during the process.

Before you start, back up anything you want to keep. A factory reset cannot be undone. If you have photos, contacts, or documents on the phone, move them to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or your computer first. You will also need your Samsung account password if you set up Samsung Find Mobile on the phone — the phone will ask for it after the reset as a security step.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases everything on your phone and returns it to its original state; back up your data before you start.
  • The Settings menu route works if your phone turns on and responds — go to Settings, then General Management, then Reset, then Factory Data Reset.
  • If your phone is locked, frozen, or will not start, use Samsung Find Mobile from a computer or another device to reset it remotely.
  • After the reset completes, your phone will ask for your Samsung account password as a security measure before you can use it.
  • The entire process takes 15 to 30 minutes, and your phone will restart multiple times — do not turn it off during this time.

Reset Through Settings on Your Phone

This is the fastest route if your phone turns on and responds to touch. Open the Settings app, then tap General Management (the exact name varies slightly by model and Android version, but it is always near the top of the Settings list). Scroll down and tap Reset.

You will see several reset options. Tap Factory Data Reset or Reset All Settings — the exact wording depends on your model. The phone will show you a summary of what will be erased: apps, settings, photos, messages, and any files stored on the phone. Read it, then tap the button to confirm. The phone will ask for your PIN, pattern, or password to make sure you are the owner. Enter it.

The phone will restart and begin the reset. You will see a progress bar. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery — let it finish completely. This can take 10 to 20 minutes. When it is done, the phone will restart again and show the setup screen, as if it were brand new.

Reset Using Samsung Find Mobile (Remote Reset)

Use this method if your phone will not turn on, is frozen, or is locked and you cannot access Settings. Go to findmobile.samsung.com from a computer or another device. Sign in with the Samsung account that is registered to the phone.

Once you are logged in, you will see your phone listed. Click on it, then look for an option called Unlock or Find My Mobile (the exact label varies). Select Factory Reset or Erase Device. The site will ask you to confirm — this is your final note to back out. Confirm, and Samsung will send a command to your phone to erase it remotely.

Your phone must be connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) for the remote reset to work. If it is completely off or has no signal, the reset will happen the next time the phone connects to the internet. Once the reset is complete, the phone will show the setup screen.

What Happens After the Reset Is Complete

Your phone will restart and show the initial setup screen, just as if it were new. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to a Google account. If you set up Samsung Find Mobile on the phone before the reset, the phone will also ask for your Samsung account password — this is a security feature to prevent someone else from using a phone they found or stole.

Enter your Samsung account password when prompted. After that, the phone is fully reset and ready to use. You can then sign in to your Google account, reinstall your apps from Google Play, and restore your photos and files from Google Drive or Samsung Cloud if you backed them up.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If the Reset Fails

If the reset starts but the phone gets stuck on the progress screen for more than 30 minutes, try a hard restart. Hold down the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time for 10 seconds, then release. The phone should vibrate and restart. Let it finish the reset process.

If the phone is stuck in a boot loop (restarting over and over without finishing), try the hard restart again. If that does not work, connect the phone to a computer and use Samsung Smart Switch (the official Samsung backup and restore tool) to reset it. You can read Smart Switch from Samsung's website for Windows or Mac. Open it, connect your phone with a USB cable, and look for a restore or reset option.

If none of these steps work, the phone may have a hardware problem. Contact Samsung support or visit a Samsung service center with proof of ownership.

When to Reset Your Phone Instead of Troubleshooting

A factory reset solves some problems but not others. Reset your phone if it is running very slowly, apps keep crashing, or you are selling it and want to erase your data. Do not reset if the phone will not charge — that is a hardware issue and a reset will not help. Do not reset if you think the phone has a virus; instead, boot into Safe Mode (hold Power and Volume Down at startup) and uninstall any apps you do not recognize.

If your phone is stuck in a boot loop or will not start at all, a factory reset may fix it, but it is worth trying a hard restart first. A hard restart does not erase anything — it just forces the phone to shut down and start fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account from the phone?

Yes. The reset erases all accounts, including Google and Samsung accounts. After the reset, you will need to sign in again. If you set up Samsung Find Mobile, the phone will ask for your Samsung account password as a security step before you can proceed.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset cannot be undone. If you backed up your data to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud before the reset, you can restore it after signing in. If you did not back up, the data is gone.

Do I need my password to reset my phone through Settings?

Yes. The phone will ask for your PIN, pattern, or password to confirm you are the owner. This is a security feature. If you forgot your password, use Samsung Find Mobile to reset the phone remotely instead.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how much data is on the phone. The phone will restart several times. Do not turn it off during this time. The entire process, including the initial setup after the reset, can take 30 minutes or more.

What if I reset my phone and it still asks for my Samsung account password?

This is normal if you had Samsung Find Mobile set up before the reset. Enter the password for the Samsung account that was registered to the phone. If you do not remember the password, go to Samsung's account recovery page and reset it there, then try signing in on the phone again.