Smartphone Samsung Galaxy A51, released at the end of 2019, has long remained one of the most popular mid-segment devices due to its high-quality screen and balanced characteristics. However, over time, even the most productive gadget can begin to work unstable: applications crash, the system slows down, and the battery drains faster than usual. In such situations, when software cleanings and reboots do not help, a complete factory reset (Hard Reset) becomes a radical but effective solution. This procedure will return the device to the state in which you took it out of the box in the store.
Performing this operation completely deletes all user data: photos, contacts, messages, installed applications and saved settings. That is why it is critical to create a backup copy of all valuable information before starting the procedure. Ignoring this step may result in permanent loss of important files. In this article, we will examine in detail the two main ways to perform a reset on Samsung A51: through the standard Android settings menu and through the Recovery mode, which is necessary if the phone does not turn on or is locked.
Preparing the device for a complete reset
Before taking active steps, you need to perform a number of preparatory measures that will protect your data and the flashing process itself. The most important task is to save information. You can use cloud services such as Google Drive or Samsung Cloud, or transfer files to your computer via a USB cable. Pay special attention to folders with photos and documents, as they often take up the largest amount of memory.
The second important aspect is your Google account. In modern versions of Android, the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection system is activated. If you reset your phone without logging out of your account first, the next time you activate the device you will be asked to enter the password for the same Google account that was synchronized earlier. Without this data, the phone will turn into a “brick”. Therefore, go to the settings and delete your account manually.
⚠️ Attention: If you have forgotten the password for your Google account, restore it before resetting the settings via your computer. After formatting, it will be almost impossible to restore access without a password without contacting a service center.
Also make sure that the battery charge level is at least 50-60%. The reset process and subsequent initial setup may take 15 to 40 minutes. If the device turns off in the middle of writing system files, it can damage the memory partitions and cause boot failure. Connecting to a charger during the procedure is a prerequisite for safety.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Method 1: Reset through the Android settings menu
This is the simplest and safest method, which is suitable for working devices that you have access to. The shell interface One UI from Samsung is intuitive, but the path to the desired function may differ slightly depending on the version of the installed operating system (Android 10, 11 or 12). In most cases, the algorithm of actions remains the same.
Open the main menu and find the gear icon indicating the settings section. Scroll down the list to General settings (General Management). Inside this section you need to select the option Reset. The system will offer several options, but we are specifically interested in Reset data (Factory Data Reset). By clicking on this item, you will see a detailed list of what will be deleted from the device.
A button will appear at the bottom of the screen Reset. After clicking, the system will ask you to confirm your identity: you will need to enter your screen unlock PIN, pattern, or place your finger on the fingerprint scanner. This is protection against accidental pressing by children or unauthorized persons. After confirmation, the phone will warn you about the irreversibility of the action again.
Before pressing the final “Delete all” button, check again whether you have copied important files from the internal memory to the computer or to the cloud.
As soon as you press Delete everything, the screen will go out and the cleaning process will begin. The device may reboot several times, and the Samsung logo with a progress bar may appear on the screen. Do not touch the buttons at this time. Upon completion of the procedure, the phone will turn on as new, prompting you to select a language and connect to Wi-Fi.
Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery mode
This method is used in cases where the smartphone does not boot, is stuck on the logo, or you have forgotten the lock pattern and cannot get into the settings menu. Mode Recovery is a special service environment built into the device's memory, which allows you to control the system at a low level.
On models Samsung A51 with an updated version of Android (starting with certain security updates of 2020-2021), entering Recovery mode requires connecting the phone to the computer via a USB cable. Without this step, the key combination may simply restart the phone normally. First, turn off the device completely.
Connect the turned off smartphone with a USB cable to the turned on computer or laptop. If you don’t have a computer at hand, you can try connecting your phone to the TV using a USB-C to USB-A adapter, but a PC is more reliable. After connecting, press two buttons simultaneously: Volume Up and Power. Hold them until the Samsung logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume button.
⚠️ Attention: On new versions of Samsung firmware without connecting a USB cable to the PC, the button combination may not work to enter Recovery. Be sure to connect before starting the procedure.
When you see a black screen with a menu in English (or with an image of an Android robot with a red exclamation mark), you can release the buttons. If a robot with an exclamation mark appears, press the combination Volume Up + Poweronce to open the full menu. Control in this mode is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.
What to do if the menu does not appear?
If after holding the buttons for a long time the phone just turns on, try changing the timing: hold down the buttons, wait for vibration, release the power for a second and hold down again without releasing the volume. Also check that the USB cable is working properly.
Navigation and performing a reset in Recovery
In the menu that appears, you will see a list of items, including Reboot system now, Apply update from ADB, Wipe data/factory reset and others. Using the volume rocker, go down to the point Wipe data/factory reset. This item is responsible for completely formatting the user partition.
Press the power button to select. The system will ask you again to confirm, as this is a dangerous action. Scroll down to the line Factory data reset or Yes and press the power button again. The cleaning process will start, which will be displayed as a log at the bottom of the screen. It usually takes a few seconds.
Once completed, a message will appear at the bottom Data wipe complete. Now you need to return to the main Recovery menu. To do this, select item Reboot system now (first in the list) and confirm the selection with the power button. The phone will reboot and the system will begin a long first boot, which can last up to 5-10 minutes.
In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. All control is performed exclusively by physical volume and power buttons.
Features of FRP protection and activation after reset
After a successful reset and first boot, you will be faced with a welcome screen. This is where the protection mechanism FRP (Factory Reset Protection)comes into force. This is Google's anti-theft system that links the device to the last used account. If the phone was reset through the settings menu with first logging out of your account, this step will go smoothly.
However, if a Hard Reset was performed through the (Recovery) buttons without first logging out of your Google account, the system will require you to enter the email and password for the account that was synchronized on the device before the reset. This is done so that a stolen phone cannot simply be reset and sold.
Enter the data correctly. If you recently changed your password, use the new one. If there were several accounts, you may need to enter data from any of them that were added to the phone settings in the last 24-48 hours. Input errors may temporarily block the ability to log in.
| Option | Reset via Settings | Reset via Recovery (Buttons) |
|---|---|---|
| Menu access | Required screen unlock | Not required (works when the phone is turned off) |
| FRP protection | Automatically removed when you log out of your account | Remains active, requires entering Google password |
| Risk of errors | Minimal | Average (depending on the software version and cable) |
| Requires a PC | No | Yes (for new versions of Android) |
Solution and possible problems
Sometimes Users are faced with a situation where after a reset the phone gets stuck on the Samsung logo or reboots cyclically. This may indicate system file corruption or a cache conflict. In this case, it is recommended to enter Recovery mode again and select Wipe cache partition. This will clear the system's temporary files without affecting personal data (which is already deleted).
Another common problem is an update or reset error due to insufficient space or bad memory sectors. If standard methods do not help, you may need to flash the device through a app Odin on your computer using official firmware files. This is a more complex procedure that requires precise selection of the software version for your region.
- 🔋 The phone does not turn on: Try a forced reboot by holding the Volume Down and Power buttons for 10-15 seconds.
- 🔒 Forgotten Google account: Without account data, unlock FRP in a legal way is not possible, you will need a purchase receipt for the service center.
- 📶 No network after reset: Check your operator's APN settings in the mobile networks menu, sometimes they are reset.
⚠️ Attention: Recovery menu interface and the behavior of the buttons may vary slightly depending on the specific firmware version and regional modification of your Samsung A51. Always check the visual prompts on the screen.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card when resetting?
By default, the “Data reset” function in the settings menu offers the option of formatting the memory card. If you do not check this box, the data on the SD card will be saved. However, when resetting through the (Recovery) buttons, the memory card is usually not affected, but for complete safety it is recommended to remove it before starting the procedure.
How long does the Samsung A51 reset process take?
The data clearing procedure itself usually takes from 2 to 5 minutes. However, the subsequent first boot of the system, optimization of applications and configuration of the interface may take from 10 to 20 minutes. Do not interrupt the process, even if the phone seems stuck on the logo.
Is it possible to recover deleted photos after a Hard Reset?
Restoring data after a full factory reset is extremely difficult, since modern encryption methods in Android make data unreadable without keys, which are deleted during the reset. Only those files that were saved in the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk) or on a memory card have a chance.
What to do if the phone asks for a password from the previous owner?
This is FRP protection. If you bought the phone second-hand and it is locked, you need to contact the seller to obtain your account information. Otherwise, you will need to provide purchase documents to an authorized Samsung service center to remove the lock.