The three ways to restart your Samsung S25
A restart clears your phone's temporary memory and stops apps that may be running in the background. On a Samsung S25, you have three options: a soft restart (the gentlest), a forced restart (when the phone is frozen), and a factory reset (which erases everything). Most of the time, a soft restart solves the problem.
A soft restart is what most people mean by "restart"—you power the phone off normally and turn it back on. A forced restart forces the phone to shut down when ready without waiting for apps to close, which works when your phone is stuck or unresponsive. A factory reset wipes all your data and returns the phone to its original state; use this only as a last resort and only after backing up what you need to keep.
Key Takeaways
- A soft restart turns your S25 off and on normally using the power button and volume controls, and solves most performance problems.
- A forced restart holds the power and volume down buttons together for 10 seconds when the phone is frozen or not responding.
- A factory reset erases all data on your phone, so back up your photos, contacts, and files before you start.
- After any restart, give your phone a few minutes to fully load before opening apps or making calls.
How to do a soft restart
Press and hold the power button on the right side of your S25 until a menu appears on the screen. You will see options including "Power off" and "Restart." Tap "Restart" and wait for the phone to shut down and turn back on. This usually takes 30 seconds to a minute.
If you do not see a "Restart" option, tap "Power off" instead, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn the phone back on. Both methods accomplish the same thing—they clear the phone's memory and reload the operating system.
How to do a forced restart when your phone is frozen
If your S25 is not responding to button presses or the screen is frozen, a forced restart will shut it down when ready. Press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons for about 10 seconds, even if you see the power menu appear. The phone will vibrate and the screen will go black.
Release both buttons and wait for the Samsung logo to appear. The phone will restart automatically. This process takes about a minute from start to finish. A forced restart does not erase any data—it straightforward forces the phone to shut down and reload.
How to do a factory reset
A factory reset erases all photos, messages, apps, and settings on your phone and returns it to the state it was in when you first bought it. Do this only if your phone has a serious problem that a soft or forced restart did not fix, and only after you have backed up everything you want to keep.
To back up your data, open Settings, tap "Accounts and backup," then tap "Samsung Cloud" or "Google Account" depending on which service you use. Select what you want to back up—photos, contacts, messages, app data—and tap "Back up now." Wait for the backup to finish before you proceed.
Once your data is backed up, open Settings, scroll down and tap "General management," then tap "Reset." Tap "Factory data reset," read the warning, then tap "Reset" again. Enter your PIN or password if prompted. The phone will restart and erase all data. This process takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen as if the phone were brand new.
What to do after a restart
After any restart, wait at least two to three minutes before opening apps or making calls. Your phone needs time to reload all its background services. If you just did a factory reset, you will need to sign back into your Google account and any other accounts you use, and you may need to reinstall apps from the Google Play Store.
If your phone still has the same problem after a soft restart and a forced restart, the issue may be with a specific app or with the operating system itself. Try opening Settings, tapping "Apps," and looking for any app that crashed recently—the app name will have a notification next to it. Uninstall that app and see if the problem stops. If the problem continues, contact Samsung support or visit a carrier store.
When to restart versus when to call for help
A restart fixes most common problems: apps crashing, the phone running slowly, the screen freezing, or the phone not responding to touches. If restarting does not solve the problem after two or three tries, the issue is likely hardware-related—a broken screen, a damaged battery, or a problem with the charging port.
If your phone will not turn on at all, try charging it for at least 30 minutes before attempting a restart. If it still will not turn on, or if it turns on but when ready shuts down again, contact Samsung support or your carrier. Do not attempt a factory reset if the phone will not stay powered on, because you will lose all your data without being able to back it up first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a restart erase my photos and messages?
No. A soft restart and a forced restart do not erase any data. Only a factory reset erases everything. If you are worried about losing data, do a soft or forced restart first—those are safe.
How often should I restart my S25?
You do not need to restart on a schedule. Restart only when your phone is running slowly, apps are crashing, or the screen is frozen. Most people restart once every few weeks or once a month.
What is the difference between a forced restart and a factory reset?
A forced restart shuts down the phone when ready and reloads the operating system, but keeps all your data. A factory reset erases all data and returns the phone to its original state. Use a forced restart first; use a factory reset only if nothing else works.
Can I restart my S25 while it is charging?
Yes. You can restart your phone while it is plugged in. In fact, restarting while charging is fine and does not damage the battery or the phone.
My S25 restarted on its own. Should I be worried?
Occasional unexpected restarts are usually not a sign of a serious problem—they often happen when an app crashes or when the phone runs out of memory. If your phone restarts multiple times a day, try a factory reset or contact Samsung support.