What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung Galaxy phone — all apps you installed, photos, messages, contacts, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. The operating system stays the same, but your personal data does not.

You might do this before selling or giving away the phone, to fix software problems that won't go away any other way, or to clear out years of clutter. A factory reset is also called a "hard reset" or "wipe".

Before you start, back up anything you want to keep. A factory reset cannot be undone.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all your personal data and returns the phone to its original state, so back up photos, contacts, and messages first.
  • The fastest method is Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset, which takes about 10 minutes.
  • If your phone is frozen or won't turn on, you can force a reset using hardware buttons instead of the Settings menu.
  • After the reset completes, you will see the initial setup screen and can choose whether to restore from a backup or set up as new.
  • Samsung phones with a Google account will ask you to sign in again after the reset, which is a security feature.

Back up your data before you start

Open Settings, tap Accounts and Backup, then tap Backup and Restore. Choose Samsung Cloud or Google Drive — both are built into Samsung phones. Select what you want to save: contacts, messages, photos, app data, and settings. Tap Backup Now and wait for it to finish. This usually takes a few minutes depending on how much data you have.

If you use Samsung Cloud, you will need a Samsung account. If you use Google Drive, you will need a Google account. Either one works. You can also manually copy photos and videos to your computer using a USB cable, or to cloud storage like Google Photos or OneDrive.

Factory reset through Settings (the standard way)

Open Settings on your phone. Scroll down and tap General Management. Tap Reset. Tap Factory Data Reset. Read the warning that appears — it will list what will be deleted. Tap Reset at the bottom of the screen.

Your phone will ask for your PIN, pattern, or password to confirm. Enter it. The phone will then restart and show a progress bar. The whole process takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery while it is resetting.

When the reset finishes, you will see the initial setup screen. You can sign in with your Google account to restore contacts, apps, and settings from your backup, or you can set up the phone as new without restoring anything.

Force a reset if your phone is frozen or won't respond

If your phone is stuck, frozen, or will not turn on, you cannot use the Settings menu. Instead, use the hardware buttons to force a reset. The button combination depends on your Galaxy model, but most recent phones use this method: press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time for about 10 seconds until the phone vibrates and the Samsung logo appears.

Release the buttons. The phone will boot into Recovery Mode, which shows a menu with white text on a black background. Use the Volume Down button to scroll to "Wipe data/factory reset" and press the Power button to select it. Scroll to "Yes" and press Power again to confirm. The reset will begin. When it finishes, select "Reboot system now" and press Power.

If your phone has a different button layout — for example, if it has a Bixby button — the combination may be different. Check your phone's model number in Settings > About Phone, then search online for "[your model number] recovery mode" to find the exact button combination.

What happens after the reset is complete

Your phone will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the phone was new. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. If you have a Samsung account, you can also sign in there.

After you sign in, the phone will ask whether you want to restore from a backup. If you backed up to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud before the reset, you can choose to restore your contacts, apps, messages, and settings now. If you choose not to restore, you will have a blank phone and will need to reinstall your apps from the Google Play Store.

Your phone will also ask you to set up security — a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint. Choose something you will remember. If you forget it, you will need to do another factory reset to get back in.

Why your phone asks you to sign in again after a reset

Samsung and Google both require you to sign in with the account that was on the phone before the reset. This is a security feature called Factory Reset Protection. It prevents someone who steals your phone from wiping it and using it as their own.

If you are the owner and you forgot your Google password, go to accounts.google.com on a computer, click "Forgot password?", and follow the steps to reset it. You will need access to a recovery email or phone number you set up with the account. If you forgot your Samsung account password, go to samsung.com and use the same process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove the operating system?

No. A factory reset only erases your personal data and apps. The Android operating system and Samsung's software stay in place. Your phone will still run the same version of Android it had before the reset.

Can I undo a factory reset?

Not directly. Once the reset is complete, the data is gone. That is why backing up before you reset is important. If you backed up to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud, you can restore from that backup after the reset finishes.

How long does a factory reset take?

Usually 5 to 10 minutes from start to finish. If your phone is very full or very old, it may take longer. Do not interrupt the process by turning off the phone or removing the battery.

What if I do not have a backup?

You can still do the factory reset. After it finishes, you will have a blank phone. You can sign in with your Google account, and Google will restore any contacts and apps you had before, but photos and messages will be gone unless you had them backed up separately.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting?

No. A factory reset does not affect your SIM card or your phone number. Your carrier information will still be there after the reset.