Smartphone owners Samsung Galaxy A50 sooner or later face the need to return the device to its original state. This may be required when selling a gadget, transferring it to another user, or in case of serious software failures that cannot be fixed with a normal reboot. Factory Reset completely deletes all user data, applications and settings, returning the system to its out-of-the-box state.
The procedure for clearing memory and system files on Android is quite simple, but requires care. Incorrect actions can lead to blocking of the device via FRP (Factory Reset Protection) or permanent loss of important photos and contacts. In this instruction, we will analyze in detail all the available methods of returning to factory settings.
Before taking decisive action, you need to understand which method is suitable for your situation. If the phone turns on and responds to touches, it is better to use the standard menu. If the screen does not work or the system is frozen, you will need to use Recovery mode.
Preparation for complete data deletion
The most critical stage is saving information. After executing the reset command, it will be impossible to restore files without a preliminary copy. Backup can be done via a cloud service Samsung Cloud or Google Drive, as well as by transferring files to a computer via a USB cable.
Special attention should be given to accounts. If you do not log out of your account before resetting, the phone will require you to enter the password for these accounts the next time you activate it. This is an anti-theft protection measure known as FRP, and it is extremely difficult to bypass it without the owner's passwords. Google And Samsung Account Before resetting, the next time you activate, the phone will require you to enter the password for these accounts. This is a theft protection measure known as FRP, and it is extremely difficult to bypass without the owner's passwords.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure the battery level is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to a low battery may damage the system partitions and make it impossible to boot the operating system.
It is also recommended to remove memory cards microSD and SIM cards before starting the procedure. Although the system usually asks if the external card needs to be formatted, physical removal eliminates the risk of accidentally deleting personal files from the storage device.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu
The safest and easiest method is available if you can unlock the screen and get to the main menu. To do this, go to the section Settings, then find the item General settings (or just scroll down in new versions One UI). You are interested in the section Reset.
In the list that opens, select the option Reset data. The system will display a detailed list of what will be deleted: applications, their data, system settings, accounts and files in the internal memory. If you are satisfied with everything, press the button Reset at the bottom of the screen.
To confirm the operation, you will need to enter the PIN code, pattern or password that is used to unlock the screen. After this, the cleaning process will begin, which will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the amount of accumulated data.
- 📱 Open
Settingson the main screen. - 🔄 Go to the section
General settings→Reset. - 🗑️ Select
Reset dataand confirm the action. - 🔒 Enter the unlock password for the final confirmation.
If there are several user profiles installed on the phone, resetting through the settings menu will clear data only in the current active profile, but will not affect others.
Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If the screen does not respond to touches or the system does not boot beyond the logo, the method is used Hard Reset. On smartphones Samsung with version Android 11 and higher (relevant for current firmware A50), to enter recovery mode you often need to connect the USB cable to the computer.
Turn off the device completely. Connect your phone with a USB cable to a running computer or laptop. Press the Volume Up button and the Powerbutton at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears Samsung, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume until a black screen with menu text appears.
In the menu Recovery controlled by the buttons volume (up/down to move) and power button (to select). You need to find the item Wipe data/factory reset. After selection, the system will ask you to confirm the action by selecting Factory data reset.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not appear?
On some Samsung A50 models with certain software versions, logging into Recovery is possible only when a USB cable is connected to the PC. Also try holding the Volume Down + Power buttons to turn off, and then immediately switch to Volume Up + Power.
Remote reset via Find My Mobile
Unique ecosystem Samsung allows you to reset remotely if the device has been previously registered Samsung Account and data transfer is enabled. This is an ideal option if you have forgotten your screen unlock password, but your phone is connected to the Internet.
Go to the official website of the service Find My Mobile from any other device (computer or tablet). Log in using your account Samsung. In the list of devices, select your Galaxy A50.
In the control menu on the right or below, find the button Erase data (Erase data). The system will warn you that all data will be deleted without the possibility of recovery. After confirmation, the phone will receive the command and perform a reset, even if the screen is locked.
| Option | Through Settings | Recovery Mode | Find My Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Require menu access | Yes | No | No |
| Internet required | Not needed | Not needed | Required |
| Required account | No | No | Samsung Account |
| Difficulty | Low | Average | Low |
FRP protection and Google account
Factory Reset Protection is a security mechanism that links the device to a Google account. After resetting the settings (especially via Recovery), the first time the phone is activated, it will require you to enter the email and password of the account that was synchronized with the device before the reset.
This is done to prevent thieves from using stolen phones after they have been cleaned. If you are selling your phone, be sure to delete your Google account before resetting: Settings → Accounts and backup → Manage accounts → select Google → Delete account.
⚠️ Attention: If you bought a used phone and it requires the account of the previous owner, it is almost impossible to unlock it by legal means without the participation of the seller. This is not an error, but standard protection.
If you have forgotten the password for your account, you can recover it through the standard procedure on the Google website using a backup email or phone number. Attempts to bypass FRP using third-party software may lead to permanent blocking of the device.
Solving typical problems after a reset
After turning on a “clean” phone, the first boot may take longer than usual - up to 5-10 minutes. The system optimizes applications and checks file integrity. Do not panic if the device hangs on the logo Samsung or Android during this time.
Sometimes users experience that the touch screen does not work correctly or spontaneous reboots are observed. In most cases, this can be solved by waiting: the phone needs time for background services (Google Play Services, system processes) to update and fall into place.
If problems persist for more than 30-40 minutes of active work, it makes sense to check for software updates. Go to Settings → Software update → Download and installation. The new firmware version may contain bug fixes that cause instability.
- 🔋 Allow the phone to fully charge during the first setup.
- 📡 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network for fast synchronization.
- ⏳ Do not install heavy games immediately after switching on.
- 🔄 Check for system updates in the first hours of operation.
The first 15-20 minutes after the reset is a critical time for stabilization of the processor and background services. Do not load the device during this period.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card when resetting?
By default, the system offers a choice: delete data only from the internal memory or also format the SD card. If you select internal memory only, the files on the card will remain. However, if the phone was encrypted along with the card, after the reset, access to files on the SD may be lost without the encryption key.
Is it possible to interrupt the reset if it is frozen?
Forcibly interrupting the process (by removing the battery, which is impossible on the A50, or by pressing the buttons for a long time) is extremely undesirable. This may damage the partition userdata or system files, resulting in a “brick”. If the process hangs for more than 2 hours, try the combination Volume Down + Power for 10-15 seconds to reboot.
Will the Android version be reset to an older one?
No. Factory Reset clears only user data and settings, but does not affect the partition with system files. The version of the operating system Android and shell One UI will remain the same on which the reset was made.
What should I do if the phone requires an account that I don’t remember?
You need to restore access to your Google account via the website google.com/accounts/recovery. Without entering the correct information for the account that was last on the device before the reset, you will not be able to activate the phone due to FRP protection.
After resetting and setting up your phone again, immediately set up automatic backup in Google Photos and Google Drive so that you don’t lose important data next time.