What wiping your Samsung phone means and when to do it

Wiping your Samsung phone erases all data on the device — contacts, photos, messages, apps, and settings — and returns it to factory condition. This is different from a regular backup or reset; once you wipe the phone, the data cannot be recovered unless you have saved it elsewhere first.

You should wipe your phone before selling it, giving it away, or trading it in. You may also wipe it if the phone is running slowly, has a virus, or you want to start fresh. Samsung phones can be wiped in two main ways: through the Settings menu on the phone itself, or through Samsung Find Mobile (the company's remote tracking service) if you cannot access the phone.

Before you wipe, back up anything you want to keep. Samsung phones can back up to a Samsung account, Google account, or a computer connected via USB cable. Once the wipe is complete, you can restore from that backup on a new phone or keep the wiped phone blank.

Key Takeaways

  • Wiping a Samsung phone through Settings takes about 10 minutes and erases everything on the device permanently.
  • You must remove your Samsung account and Google account from the phone before wiping, or the phone will ask for those passwords after the wipe is complete.
  • If you cannot access the phone, you can wipe it remotely using Samsung Find Mobile from any web browser.
  • Back up your photos, contacts, and other data to a Samsung account, Google account, or computer before you wipe.
  • After wiping, the phone will restart and show the setup screen as if it were brand new.

How to wipe your Samsung phone from the Settings menu

This method works when you can unlock the phone and access its settings. Open Settings on your Samsung phone. Scroll down and tap General management (or About phone on some models, then look for Reset). Tap Reset, then select Factory data reset or Erase all data.

The phone will show you a warning that all data will be deleted. Read it carefully. Tap Reset or Delete all to confirm. If you have a PIN, password, or biometric lock, you will need to enter it to proceed. The wipe will begin when ready and usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the phone during this time.

When the wipe is complete, the phone will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the phone was new. You can now set it up as a new phone, restore from a backup, or leave it blank.

Removing accounts before you wipe

Samsung and Google accounts are tied to your phone's security. If you do not remove them before wiping, the phone will ask for the account password after the wipe is complete — a safety feature called Factory Reset Protection. If you forget the password, you will not be able to use the phone.

To remove your Samsung account, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts (or Accounts on some models). Tap your Samsung account, then tap Remove account. You will need to enter your Samsung password to confirm.

To remove your Google account, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts, tap your Google account, then tap Remove account. Confirm the removal. After both accounts are removed, you can proceed with the factory reset.

Wiping your Samsung phone remotely with Find Mobile

If your phone is lost, stolen, or you cannot unlock it, you can wipe it from any computer or another phone using Samsung Find Mobile. Go to findmobile.samsung.com in a web browser and sign in with your Samsung account. Your registered devices will appear on the map or in a list.

Select the phone you want to wipe. Click Unlock to unlock it remotely, or click Erase data to wipe it when ready. If you choose to erase data, the phone will be wiped the next time it connects to the internet. You do not need to have the phone in your hands.

After the remote wipe is complete, the phone will restart and show the setup screen. This method is useful if you have already sold the phone or given it away and realize you forgot to wipe it first, though the new owner will see the setup screen and may be able to set it up with their own account.

Backing up your data before wiping

The easiest way to back up a Samsung phone is through your Samsung account. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Backup and restore, then tap Back up my data. Select what you want to back up — contacts, messages, apps, settings, and more — and tap Back up now. This saves to Samsung's servers and can be restored on any Samsung phone.

You can also back up to your Google account. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Google account backup and turn it on. Google backs up contacts, calendar, Gmail, and some app data automatically. This backup can be restored on any Android phone, not just Samsung.

For photos and videos, use Google Photos or Samsung Gallery to back up to the cloud. You can also connect your phone to a computer with a USB cable, open the file manager, and copy your photos and documents to a folder on the computer. This gives you a local copy that does not depend on an internet connection or cloud service.

What happens after you wipe your phone

After the wipe is complete, your phone will restart and show the 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 removed your accounts before wiping, you will not be asked for them again.

If you want to restore your data, sign in with the same Google or Samsung account you used before. The phone will ask if you want to restore from a backup. Select yes, and your contacts, messages, apps, and settings will be restored. This usually takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have.

If you are selling or giving away the phone, do not sign in with your account. Leave it on the setup screen or set it up with a new account so the new owner can use it. If you wiped it remotely and the new owner tries to set it up, they may see a Factory Reset Protection screen asking for the previous account password — this is normal and they should contact you or the seller to remove the account.

Troubleshooting a stuck or frozen wipe

If your phone freezes during the wipe, do not force it off when ready. Wait at least 30 minutes to see if it completes. If it is still frozen, hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds to force the phone to shut down. Then turn it back on and try the wipe again.

If the wipe keeps failing, try wiping in Safe Mode. Turn off the phone, then turn it back on while holding the volume down button. You will see "Safe Mode" in the bottom left corner. Go to Settings and try the factory reset again. Safe Mode disables third-party apps that might be interfering with the wipe.

If you still cannot wipe the phone, try using Samsung Find Mobile to wipe it remotely instead. If that does not work, contact Samsung support or visit a Samsung service center. They can wipe the phone using specialized tools if the standard methods fail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover data after I wipe my Samsung phone?

No. A factory reset permanently erases all data on the phone. If you have a backup saved to a Samsung account, Google account, or computer, you can restore from that backup. If you do not have a backup, the data cannot be recovered. This is why backing up before you wipe is important.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before wiping?

No. Wiping the phone does not affect your SIM card. Your phone number and carrier information are stored on the SIM card, not on the phone's storage. You can leave the SIM card in the phone during the wipe, or remove it if you prefer. Either way, the wipe will not change your phone service.

What if I forget my Samsung account password before wiping?

Go to the Samsung account website and use the "Forgot password" link to reset it. You will need access to the email address or phone number linked to your account. Once you reset the password, you can sign in and remove the account from your phone before wiping. If you cannot reset the password, contact Samsung support for help.

Will wiping my phone remove the operating system?

No. Wiping removes all your personal data and apps, but it leaves the Android operating system and Samsung's system apps in place. The phone will still run the same version of Android it had before. If you want to update Android, you can do that after the wipe is complete through Settings > About phone > Software update.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. The time depends on how much data is on the phone and how fast the storage is. Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during the reset. If the phone appears to be stuck for more than 30 minutes, force it off and try again.