Updating software or the accumulation of system garbage sometimes leads to your Samsung Galaxy beginning to work unstable. The smartphone may freeze, quickly discharge, or display strange errors that do not disappear after a normal reboot. In such situations, the only correct solution is a complete return to the original state of the system, that is resetting to factory settings.
This procedure deletes all user information, returning the device to the state in which it was immediately after purchase in the store. However, the process requires careful preparation, since it will be almost impossible to restore deleted contacts, photos and correspondence without a preliminary backup copy. Below we will analyze in detail all the ways to safely perform this Hard Reset on modern Samsung models.
Before taking active steps, you need to clearly understand the difference between simply deleting files and completely formatting the system partition. Normal data deletion frees up memory space, but leaves settings and application cache intact. The reset affects the deep levels of the file system Android, erasing any changes made by the user or third-party apps over the entire period of operation.
Preparing the device before a full reset
The most critical stage is saving important information. After clicking the reset confirmation button, all data will be permanently destroyed. So the first thing you need to do is back up your contacts, photos, videos and documents. For ecosystem owners Samsung a cloud service is ideal Samsung Cloud or synchronization with an account Google.
Also make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%. The process of formatting and reinstalling system files is energy-consuming. If the phone turns off in the middle of the procedure, it can damage the bootloader and turn the device into a brick. Connect your smartphone to the charger while performing all operations.
⚠️ Attention: Before resetting, be sure to log out of your account Google and Samsung Account. If this is not done, after rebooting the system will require you to enter a password from the previous owner (FRP protection), and without it it will be impossible to activate the phone.
Don't forget to check the presence of an SD card. Although modern versions One UI usually ask whether to format the external memory, it is better to physically remove the microSD card before starting the procedure. This will ensure that your media files on the card will not be accidentally deleted along with the internal storage data.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Reset through menu settings (Standard method)
The easiest and safest way to return the phone to its factory state is to use the built-in settings menu. This method is suitable for devices that turn on and respond to screen taps. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version Android and shell One UI, but the logic of actions remains the same.
Go to the main menu and find the icon Settings. Scroll down the list to the section General settings (or just System on pure Android). Here you need to find the item Reset. In some models, it may be hidden inside the submenu Device maintenance.
After selection item Reset data the system will show a list of what will be deleted: accounts, applications, settings, media files. Please read the list carefully. If you are sure that the backup copy has been created, click the Reset or Delete everythingbutton. To confirm actions, the system may require you to enter a PIN code, pattern key or password for your account.
If the menu is in English, look for the Settings → General Management → Reset section → Factory Data Reset.
The device will automatically reboot and start the cleaning process. The screen may turn off and on several times - this is normal behavior. Do not touch the phone until the initial setup screen appears, where you will be asked to select a language and connect to Wi-Fi.
Resetting through the menu is the least risky method, since the system itself monitors the integrity of files before deleting and correctly closes all running processes.
Hard Reset via Recovery mode (For locked phones)
What to do, if your smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to the sensor, or you forgot the pattern key? In such cases, the regime Recovery Modecomes to the rescue. This is a special diagnostic interface, hardwired into the device’s memory, which allows you to control the system bypassing the main interface Android.
To enter this mode on modern models Samsung (especially without a physical Home button), a sequence of actions is required. First, turn off your phone completely. If the screen does not go off, press the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously for 7-10 seconds until a forced reboot, and then immediately proceed to the next step.
Connect the switched off phone with a USB cable to a computer or another phone (connecting to the charging block on new models with Android 11+ may not work to enter Recovery). Press the button Volume Up and the button Power at the same time. Hold them until the Samsung logo appears, then release the Power button, but continue to hold the Volume up until a black menu screen appears.
| Samsung model | Button combination | Additional condition |
|---|---|---|
| S20, S21, S22, S23 series | Volume Up + Power | Connect USB cable to PC |
| A-series (new models) | Volume Up + Power | Connect the USB cable to the PC |
| Old models (with Home button) | Volume Up + Home + Power | Cable connection is not necessary |
| Models with Bixby | Volume Up + Bixby + Power | Cable connection is not necessary |
In the Recovery menu, control is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down to move), and the choice is confirmed with the button Power. You need to find the item Wipe data/factory reset. Confirm your choice by selecting Factory data reset or Yes in the next menu.
Why do you need to connect a cable on new Samsung?
Starting with Android 11, Samsung has changed its security policy. Entering Recovery mode is now possible only when an active connection to the host device (PC or other phone) is detected, to prevent unauthorized reset of stolen devices by attackers.
Deleting a Google account (FRP Protection)
One of the most important security features in Android is Factory Reset Protection (FRP). This system links the device to the last entered Google account. If you perform a reset using the buttons (Hard Reset), but do not delete the account in advance, the phone will require you to enter the email and password for this account when you first boot.
This is done to protect against theft: a thief will not be able to use a stolen phone by simply resetting its settings. However, for an honest owner this can be a problem if he has forgotten his login details. Therefore, rule number one: always delete your account through the menu Settings → Accounts and archiving → Account management before resetting.
If you are selling a phone, it will be much easier for the buyer to set it up if there is no FRP lock. Otherwise, you will have to give your password to the buyer, which is not secure, or waste time restoring access to mail.
⚠️ Attention: Bypassing the FRP lock with third-party apps often leads to unstable system operation or complete loss of warranty. The official way is to restore access to your account through the Google website.
Solving common problems after a reset
Sometimes after returning to factory settings, users are faced with the fact that the phone works even worse than before the reset. This may be due to automatic restoration of a backup that contains the same erroneous settings or corrupted data as previously.
It is recommended not to restore all applications and settings from the cloud at once. It is better to set up your phone as a new device, install only the necessary apps manually and check the stability of operation. If the problem disappears, then the reason lies in one of the restored applications or a software version conflict.
Another common problem is rapid battery drain in the first hours after the reset. The system Android indexes files and optimizes background processes. This is fine. Let the phone work normally for a couple of hours, connected to Wi-Fi, so that background services finish their work.
If the phone constantly reboots (bootloop) even after a reset, this may indicate a hardware failure, such as worn out flash memory or problems with the power controller. In this case, software methods will no longer help, and a visit to the service center will be required.
If problems remain after the reset, try not restoring the backup copy immediately, but setting up the phone from scratch - this will help identify the culprit of unstable operation.
When a full reset is really necessary
You should not resort to radical measures every time shallow lag. There are many ways to optimize without losing data: clearing the cache, deleting unused applications, updating software. However, there are situations when Factory Reset is the only effective solution.
- 📉 Severe slowdown of the interface: If animations twitch, applications open for 5-10 seconds, and clearing memory does not help.
- 🦠 Infection with viruses: If undeletable problems appear on the phone advertising banners or suspicious applications that cannot be removed by standard means.
- 🔐 Sale or transfer of the device: To prevent your personal data (photos, passwords, correspondence) from falling into the wrong hands.
- 🔄 Error after update: If after installation With the new version of Android, the phone began to behave incorrectly (communication failures, heating).
Remember that this procedure is a last resort. It must be used consciously when other methods have been exhausted. Regularly performing a reset “for prevention” does not make sense and only reduces the resource of the memory cells of your drive, although only slightly.
Will the information on the SIM card be erased during a reset?
No, a full reset affects only the internal memory of the phone and accounts. Contacts and SMS stored directly on the SIM card will remain untouched. However, modern smartphones by default store all data in the phone memory or the cloud, so there is usually nothing on the SIM card itself.
Is it possible to interrupt the reset process if it is frozen?
It is extremely undesirable. Interrupting system file writing may damage the data partition. If the process does not move for more than 30-40 minutes, you can try a forced reboot (Volume Down + Power), but there is a risk that the phone will not start without flashing it via a PC.
Do you need to update the software after a reset?
Yes, after a reset the phone returns to the firmware version with which it left the conveyor (or the latest installed). It is recommended that immediately after setup, check for updates in the menu Settings → Software updateto get the latest security patches.
Will the Android operating system be removed?
No, the operating system will remain the same version. Resetting only removes user data, settings, and installed apps. The Android version and the One UI shell version will not change unless you perform a full flashing via a computer.