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. This is not the same as restarting your phone. A restart turns it off and back on; a reset wipes the storage.

You might reset your phone if it is running slowly, crashing repeatedly, or behaving erratically. You might also reset it before selling or giving it away, or if you have forgotten your PIN or pattern lock. A reset can fix software problems that a restart cannot, but it will destroy any data you have not backed up elsewhere.

Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. Samsung phones can back up to a Samsung account, Google account, or a computer. Once you start a reset, you cannot stop it partway through.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all data on your phone and returns it to its original state, so back up your photos, contacts, and messages first.
  • You can reset through Settings on most Samsung phones, or through recovery mode if the phone will not turn on or respond.
  • A reset takes 5 to 15 minutes and your phone will restart several times during the process.
  • After a reset, you will need to sign in with a Samsung or Google account to set up the phone again.
  • If you have forgotten your lock screen PIN or pattern, a reset is often the only way to regain access.

Reset through Settings on a working phone

If your Samsung phone turns on and responds to touch, the easiest path is through the Settings app. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap General management. Tap Reset, then tap Factory data reset or Reset all settings depending on your model and Android version.

The phone will show you a summary of what will be erased and ask for confirmation. Read it carefully. Tap the button to confirm — usually labeled Reset or Delete all. The phone will restart and begin the reset process. You will see a progress bar. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during this time.

The reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Your phone may restart several times. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen as if the phone is brand new. You can then sign in with your Samsung account or Google account to restore some of your data, or set it up as a new device.

Reset through recovery mode if the phone will not start

If your Samsung phone will not turn on, will not respond to touch, or is stuck in a loop, you can reset it through recovery mode. This is a special menu that exists outside the normal Android system. The button combination varies by Samsung model, but the most common is: hold Power + Volume Up + Bixby (the button on the left side) until the Samsung logo appears, then release all three buttons.

On some older models, the combination is Power + Volume Up only. If you are not sure which buttons your model uses, check the Samsung support page for your specific phone model number before you try.

Once you are in recovery mode, you will see a menu with options in white text on a black background. Use the Volume Down button to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and press the Power button to select it. The phone will ask for confirmation. Select Yes using the Volume buttons and Power button. The reset will begin. Do not interrupt it.

What to do if you are locked out of your phone

If you have forgotten your PIN, pattern, or password and cannot unlock the screen, a factory reset is one way to regain access. However, Samsung phones with a Google account or Samsung account linked to them have Find Mobile (Samsung) or Find My Mobile (older models), which can unlock the phone remotely without erasing it.

If you remember your Google account email and password, go to google.com/android/find from another device. Sign in and select your phone from the list. You can lock it remotely or erase it. If you remember your Samsung account details, go to findmobile.samsung.com and sign in the same way.

If you do not remember either account password and cannot unlock the phone, a factory reset through recovery mode is your remaining option. You will lose all data on the phone, but you will be able to use it again after setup.

Back up your data before resetting

Samsung phones can back up to a Samsung account, which stores contacts, calendar events, messages, and some app data. Open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then Samsung Cloud or Backup. Tap Back up my data and select what you want to save. The backup runs in the background and may take several minutes depending on how much data you have.

You can also back up to Google. Open Settings, tap Google, then Manage your Google Account, then the Data & Privacy tab. Tap Data from apps and services and make sure Web & App Activity is turned on. Google will then back up your contacts, calendar, and some app data automatically.

For photos and videos, connect your phone to a computer with a USB cable and copy the files to a folder on your computer. Or open Google Photos on your phone, tap your profile picture, tap Photos settings, and turn on Backup and sync. Google Photos will upload your photos to the cloud over Wi-Fi.

Set up your phone after the reset

When the reset finishes, your phone will show the initial setup screen. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. If you have a backup, signing in with the same account will restore your contacts, calendar, and some app data.

You will not automatically get back your photos, videos, or text messages unless you backed them up separately. If you backed up photos to Google Photos, open that app and they will read. If you backed up messages to Samsung Cloud, they will restore when you sign in with your Samsung account.

After setup, you can reinstall apps from the Google Play Store. Your phone will remember which apps you had installed before the reset and show them in your library, so you do not have to search for them individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my Samsung phone?

A factory reset will remove most malware because it erases all apps and files. However, if malware is in the firmware itself (very rare), a reset may not remove it. If your phone is behaving strangely, a reset is worth trying. If problems return after setup, contact Samsung support or a repair shop.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. Once a factory reset completes, the data is gone. You cannot undo it. This is why backing up before you reset is important. If you have a backup from before the reset, you can restore from it after setup, but you cannot recover data that was never backed up.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most factory resets take 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. The phone will restart several times. If your phone is very full or very old, it may take longer. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery while the reset is running.

Do I need to charge my phone before resetting it?

Yes. Make sure your battery is at least 50 percent full before you start a reset. If the battery dies during the reset, your phone may not restart properly. Plug it in and let it charge before you begin.

What is the difference between a soft reset and a factory reset?

A soft reset (or restart) turns your phone off and back on without erasing anything. A factory reset erases all data and returns the phone to its original state. A soft reset is much faster and safer if you are just trying to fix a slow or freezing phone. Try a restart first; if that does not work, then consider a factory reset.