Two ways to reset your Samsung Galaxy device
A Samsung Galaxy reset wipes your device back to factory settings, removing all your personal data, apps, and accounts. You can reset through the Settings menu on your device itself, or through Samsung Find Mobile on a computer if you cannot access your phone. Both methods take 10 to 20 minutes and produce the same result — a device that looks and works like it did when it came from the box.
Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. Photos, contacts, and documents stored in your Samsung account or Google account will restore after the reset if you sign back in. Apps you paid for will reinstall from the Google Play Store without charging you again. But text messages, call logs, and files stored only on the device itself will be permanently deleted.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, documents, and other files to your Samsung account or Google account before you reset, because data stored only on the device cannot be recovered.
- The Settings menu reset takes about 15 minutes and works if you remember your PIN, pattern, or password.
- If you cannot unlock your device, use Samsung Find Mobile from a computer to reset it remotely without entering your PIN.
- After the reset completes, your device will ask you to sign in with a Google account or Samsung account to finish setup.
- Paid apps will reinstall free when you sign back in, but you will need to read them again from the Google Play Store.
Reset through Settings if you can unlock your device
Open Settings on your Galaxy phone or tablet. Scroll down and tap General management. Then tap Reset (on some older models this may say Reset options). You will see three choices: Reset network settings, Reset app preferences, and Factory data reset. Tap Factory data reset.
The device will show you a warning that all data will be deleted. Read through the list of what will be removed. If you are ready, tap Reset or Delete all (the button name varies by model). Enter your PIN, pattern, or password when prompted. The reset will begin when ready and take 5 to 15 minutes. Your device will restart several times — do not turn it off or remove the battery during this time.
When the reset finishes, your Galaxy will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. Sign in with the account you used before, and your contacts, photos stored in that account, and your app list will begin to restore automatically.
Reset using Samsung Find Mobile if you cannot unlock your device
Go to findmobile.samsung.com on a computer and sign in with the Samsung account that is linked to your device. If you do not remember your Samsung account password, use the "Forgot password?" link to reset it first. Once you are signed in, you will see your device listed.
Click on your device name. On the left side, you will see several options including Find My Mobile, Lock, and Unlock. Look for More or a menu icon and select Factory reset or Perform factory reset. Confirm that you want to reset the device. Samsung will send a command to your phone, and the reset will begin within a few minutes. Your device does not need to be turned on — Samsung can reset it remotely.
The reset will take 10 to 20 minutes depending on how much data is on your device. You will see a progress bar on the Samsung Find Mobile website. When it finishes, your Galaxy will restart and show the setup screen. You will need to sign in with a Google account or Samsung account to complete the setup and restore your data.
What happens to your data after a reset
Data stored in your Google account — Gmail, Google Photos, Google Contacts, Google Drive files, and your app list — will restore automatically when you sign back in. You do not need to do anything. Google will recognize your device and sync everything back over the next few hours.
Data stored in your Samsung account — Samsung Cloud backups, Samsung Notes, and some Samsung apps — will also restore when you sign in with your Samsung account. If you created a Samsung Cloud backup before the reset, your photos and documents will come back.
Data stored only on your device — text messages, call logs, voice memos, and files in your Downloads folder — will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. If you need to keep these, use a file manager app to move them to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud before you reset.
Common mistakes that cause problems
Do not turn off your device or remove the battery while the reset is running. The reset process writes new system files to your device, and interrupting it can leave your Galaxy in a state where it will not turn on properly. If the reset seems to be taking longer than 20 minutes, wait another 10 minutes before assuming something went wrong.
Do not reset if you do not know the Google account or Samsung account password that is linked to your device. After the reset, your Galaxy will ask you to sign in with one of these accounts to prove you own the device. If you cannot sign in, you will be locked out. If this is your situation, reset your Google or Samsung password on a computer before you reset your device.
Do not assume your paid apps will be gone forever. They will not appear on your device after the reset, but they are still linked to your Google account. When you sign back in and open the Google Play Store, you can read them again at no cost. The Play Store remembers that you paid for them.
What to do if your device will not reset
If the reset starts but your device gets stuck on the Samsung logo or a loading screen, wait at least 30 minutes before doing anything. Some resets take longer than expected, especially on older devices or devices with a lot of storage used. If it is still stuck after 30 minutes, try a hard reset by holding the Power button and Volume Up button together for 10 seconds. This will force the device to restart, and the reset process will usually continue.
If you see an error message during the reset, write down the exact error code or message. This information will help Samsung support troubleshoot the problem if you need to contact them. In most cases, restarting your device and trying the reset again from Settings will work the second time.
If your device will not turn on at all after a reset attempt, connect it to a computer with a USB cable and try the reset again through Samsung Find Mobile. If that does not work, you may need to contact Samsung support or visit a service center, because the device may have a hardware problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my photos and contacts?
Photos and contacts stored in your Google account or Samsung account will come back when you sign in after the reset. Photos stored only on your device will be deleted. Before you reset, move any photos you want to keep to Google Photos or Samsung Cloud.
Do I need Wi-Fi to reset my device?
You need Wi-Fi or a mobile data connection to sign in after the reset is complete. During the reset itself, your device does not need internet. However, if you are using Samsung Find Mobile to reset remotely, your device must be connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data for Samsung to send the reset command.
How long does a factory reset take?
The reset process itself takes 5 to 15 minutes. After it finishes, your device will restart and ask you to sign in and set up, which adds another 5 to 10 minutes. The total time from start to a usable device is usually 15 to 25 minutes.
Can I cancel a reset once it starts?
No. Once you confirm the factory reset in Settings, the process cannot be stopped. Do not turn off your device or remove the battery. Let it run to completion, even if it takes longer than expected.
What if I forgot my Samsung account password?
Go to account.samsung.com on a computer and click Forgot password? You will be asked to verify your identity using your email address or phone number. Once you reset your password, you can use it to sign in after your device resets.