What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung device — all apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings — and returns it to the state it left the factory. This is different from a regular restart. You use it when you are selling or giving away the device, when malware or a corrupted app has made the phone unusable, or when you want to start completely fresh.
Before you reset, understand that the process is permanent and cannot be undone. Everything not backed up to Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, or another cloud service will be gone. If you are locked out of your Samsung account or Google account, the reset may not complete, or you may be unable to use the device afterward without signing back in.
A factory reset does not remove the Samsung Knox security system or the Find My Mobile lock that protects your device if it is stolen. If you are selling the device, this is good — it prevents the new owner from using it without your permission. If you are the owner and have forgotten your Samsung or Google password, you will need to recover those credentials before the reset is useful.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, messages, and contacts to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or another cloud service before you reset, because everything on the device will be erased.
- You can reset through Settings on most Samsung phones, or through the recovery menu if the phone will not start or respond.
- After a factory reset, you will be asked to sign into your Google account; if you do not remember the password, you will not be able to use the device until you recover it.
- A factory reset does not remove Samsung Find My Mobile or Knox security, so a stolen device cannot be reactivated by someone else.
How to reset through Settings on a working device
If your Samsung phone or tablet turns on and responds to touch, the fastest way to reset is through the Settings app. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap General management. Tap Reset, then tap Factory data reset or Reset to factory default — the exact wording varies by model and Android version.
The phone will show you a summary of what will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read it carefully. Tap the checkbox next to "I agree" or a similar confirmation, then tap Reset or Delete all. The device will restart and begin erasing. This usually takes five to fifteen minutes. Do not turn off the device or remove the battery during this time.
When the reset is complete, the device will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it just came out of the box. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into a Google account. You do not have to sign into the same Google account you used before — you can use a different one or skip this step, though some features will not work without it.
How to reset using the recovery menu if the device will not start
If your Samsung device will not turn on, will not respond to touch, or is stuck in a boot loop, you can reset it using the recovery menu. This is a hidden menu built into every Samsung device that works even when Android will not start.
To enter the recovery menu, turn off the device completely. Then press and hold Power and Volume Up at the same time for about ten seconds. The device will vibrate and show the Samsung logo. Keep holding both buttons until you see the recovery menu — a list of options in white text on a black background. Release the buttons.
Use the Volume Down button to scroll down to Wipe data/factory reset or Factory reset. Press the Power button to select it. The menu will ask you to confirm. Scroll down to Yes and press Power. The device will erase and restart. This can take ten to twenty minutes.
On some newer Samsung models, the button combination is different. If Power and Volume Up does not work, try Power and Volume Down together, or Power, Volume Up, and Bixby (the button on the side) all at once. If you are unsure, search for "Samsung [your model number] recovery menu" to find the exact combination for your device.
What happens after the reset is complete
When your Samsung device finishes resetting, it will boot into the setup screen. You will see options to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into accounts. At this point, the device is blank and ready to use or sell.
If you are keeping the device, sign into your Google account with the same email and password you used before. Google will offer to restore your apps, contacts, and some settings from your backup. If you are selling or giving the device away, you can skip the account setup entirely — the new owner will set up their own accounts when they turn it on.
If you are selling the device and you had a Samsung account on it, sign into that account during setup and then remove it before handing the device over. This ensures the new owner is not locked out by your account. Go to Settings, tap Accounts and backup, tap Accounts, select your Samsung account, and tap Remove account.
If the reset fails or the device gets stuck
Sometimes a reset does not complete. The device may restart before it finishes erasing, or it may get stuck on the Samsung logo. If this happens, do not panic — it usually means the device ran out of battery or encountered a temporary error.
If the device is stuck on the Samsung logo, try a force restart. Press and hold Power and Volume Down together for ten to fifteen seconds until the device vibrates and restarts. If it gets stuck again, plug it into a charger and wait five minutes, then try the force restart again.
If the reset keeps failing, the device may have a hardware problem or corrupted system files that a standard reset cannot fix. At this point, you have two options: take the device to a Samsung service center, or use Samsung's Find My Mobile service to perform a remote reset if you remember your Samsung account password. Go to findmymobile.samsung.com, sign in, select your device, and choose the reset option.
Protecting your data before you reset
The moment you decide to reset, back up anything you want to keep. Open the Settings app, tap Accounts and backup, and tap Backup and restore. Choose Back up my data and make sure it is toggled on. This will back up your contacts, calendar, messages, and some app data to your Google account.
For photos and videos, open Google Photos, tap your profile picture in the top right, tap Photos settings, and make sure Backup and sync is turned on. This will upload your photos to Google Drive. You can also use Samsung Cloud — go to Settings, tap Accounts and backup, tap Samsung Cloud, and turn on Back up my data.
If you have files, documents, or other data stored only on the device, connect it to a computer with a USB cable and copy them to your computer before you reset. Once the reset is complete, these files will be gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Samsung account lock?
No. A factory reset does not remove the Samsung Find My Mobile lock or Knox security. If you reset a device that has a Samsung account on it, you will be asked to sign back into that account after the reset. If you do not remember the password, you will need to recover it through Samsung's website or contact Samsung support.
What if I forgot my Google password and the device asks for it after the reset?
Go to accounts.google.com on a computer or another device, click "Forgot password?", and follow the steps to recover your account. Once you have reset your password, you can sign into the device with the new password. If you cannot recover your Google account, you will not be able to use the device.
Can I reset my Samsung device without losing my photos?
A factory reset erases everything on the device, including photos. To keep your photos, upload them to Google Photos, Samsung Cloud, or another cloud service before you reset. After the reset, sign back into that service and read your photos again.
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes five to twenty minutes, depending on how much data is on the device and which method you use. Resets through Settings are usually faster than resets through the recovery menu. Do not turn off the device or remove the battery while the reset is in progress.
Can I cancel a factory reset once it has started?
No. Once you confirm the reset, it cannot be stopped or undone. The device will erase all data and restart. This is why it is important to back up anything you want to keep before you start the process.