Resetting Samsung to factory settings via buttons: detailed guide

The situation when a smartphone Samsung stops responding to touches, freezes on the screensaver or requires a password that you have forgotten is familiar to many users. In such cases, standard reboot methods through the settings menu become unavailable, and the only option is to use hardware keys. This process, often called Hard Reset, allows you to return the device to its original state, deleting all user data and applications.

Using reset buttons is a powerful tool for restoring the functionality of the gadget, but it requires caution and strict adherence to the sequence of actions. Unlike a soft reset, this method works even when the operating system Android is completely damaged or locked. However, before starting the procedure, it is critically important to understand that this step is irreversible and will lead to complete loss of information on the internal drive.

Below we will look in detail at how to perform a reset on different models Galaxy, what nuances exist for new versions One UI and how to avoid common mistakes that can turn your phone into a useless piece of plastic. Read the instructions carefully so that the procedure is successful the first time.

Preparing the device for a hard reset

Before you start pressing the buttons, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps that will increase the chances of success. First, make sure the battery level is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to a low battery can lead to serious file system errors, after which recovery will become impossible without specialized equipment.

Secondly, if you have the ability to unlock the screen or log in, be sure to unlink your account Google. This is necessary to bypass the protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection). If you simply reset the settings using the buttons without deleting the account first, the next time you turn on the phone, you will be asked to enter the password for your old Google account. Without this data, the device will remain locked forever.

⚠️ Attention: If you do not know the password for the Google account linked to the phone, resetting through the buttons will lock the device with FRP protection. In this case, a complex unlocking procedure will be required through a service center or special utilities.

It is also worth removing the memory card microSD and SIM card before starting the procedure. Although the reset mainly affects the internal memory, we don't want to accidentally format the external card or damage the SIM card contacts during a reboot. Remove everything unnecessary so you can focus only on the smartphone itself.

If your phone responds to taps, back up important photos and contacts. After execution Wipe Data it will be impossible to recover deleted files using standard methods. Use cloud services or connect your device to a computer to copy data while you still can.

Features of entering Recovery mode on new Samsung

Owners of modern smartphones Samsung, released after 2019-2020, are faced with a new feature of entering the mode recovery. The company's engineers have changed the loading algorithm, and now for the menu to appear Recovery Mode the device must be connected to the computer via a USB cable. This is due to changes in security protocols and the bootloader Bootloader.

Previously, it was enough to simply hold down the key combination on the phone turned off. Now, if you try to do the same without connecting to a PC or laptop, the phone will simply vibrate and start the normal system boot. You will need any working USB cable and a computer that is in working order (turned on, but not necessarily with apps running).

Connect the cable to the computer, and then, while holding the necessary buttons, connect the other end to the smartphone. Only in this case will the system recognize the request to enter the engineering menu. On older models, such as Galaxy S7, S8 or Note 8, a connection to a PC is not required, and the procedure is performed autonomously.

Pay attention to the cable type. It is advisable to use an original wire or a high-quality analogue that supports data transfer. Cheap cables designed only for charging may not provide the necessary contact for the boot signal, and the phone will not go into the desired mode.

Step-by-step guide: key combinations for reset

The most critical step is pressing the buttons correctly. Combinations vary depending on the presence of a physical button Home and device model. For most modern smartphones without a Home button (starting from Galaxy S8), a combination of volume and power keys is used.

Turn off the smartphone completely. If it freezes and does not turn off in the standard way, hold down the power button and the volume down button at the same time for 7-10 seconds until the screen goes blank. Immediately after turning off, proceed to the next step.

Hold the volume up (Volume Up) button and the power (Power) button. If you have a button Bixby, like on Galaxy S9 or Note 9, hold down all three buttons at the same time: Volume Up + Bixby + Power. Hold them without releasing.

• 🔌 Connect the phone to the computer with a USB cable (for 2020+ models) while holding the buttons.
• 📱 Hold the combination until the logo Samsung, and then a black screen with a menu.
• 🚫 Do not release the buttons immediately after the logo, wait for the Recovery menu text to appear.

When the inscription Android Recovery and a list of commands appears on a black background, you can release the buttons. Navigation in this menu is carried out only with the volume buttons: “Up” to go up the list and “Down” to go down. Confirmation of the choice is made by pressing the power button once.

Device model	Volume button	Additional button	Do you need a cable?
Galaxy S20 - S24	Volume Up	Power	Yes (to PC)
Galaxy S8 - S10	Volume Up	Power + Bixby	No
Galaxy A50 - A70	Volume Up	Power	Yes (to PC)
Galaxy Note 8-10	Volume Up	Power + Bixby	No
Galaxy J, A (old)	Volume Up	Home + Power	No

Navigating the Recovery menu and selecting the reset command

After a successful When you enter, you will see a menu with blue or yellow text on a black background. Items may differ depending on the version Android, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the line Wipe data/factory reset. Usually it is located in the middle of the list.

Using the volume down button, lower the cursor (it can be highlighted in color or inverted) to the desired item. Make sure you don't accidentally select Reboot system now or Apply update from ADBas this will not reset. Pressing the power button will confirm the selection.

The system will ask for final confirmation to avoid accidental deletion of data. The screen will change and a list of answer options will appear, where Noprevails. You need to use the volume button again to go down to the item Factory data reset or Yes and confirm it with the power button.

⚠️ Attention: On the confirmation screen there will be many “No” items and only one “Yes” or “Factory data reset”. Be extremely careful when choosing, since it will no longer be possible to cancel the action after confirmation.

After confirmation, the formatting process will begin. Technical logs or just an inscription Data wipe completemay appear on the screen. This process usually takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the amount of full memory and the speed of the drive eMMC or UFS.

Completing the procedure and starting the system for the first time

When the reset completion message appears on the screen, you will automatically return to the main Recovery menu. Now the cursor should be on the item Reboot system now. If it is in a different location, use the volume buttons to move it. Press the power button to reboot.

The first startup after the reset will be much longer than usual. Smarton needs to initialize the system, check the integrity of files and prepare the environment for the user. The logo Samsung can hang on the screen from 3 to 10 minutes. Do not panic and do not try to turn off the phone at this moment.

After downloading, you will see a welcome screen, just like on a new device from the store. You have to go through the initial setup: select a language, connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your Google account. If you have not deleted your account in advance, the system will ask for a password for it (FRP protection).

What to do if the phone is stuck on the logo after a reset?

If the device hangs on the logo for more than 15 minutes, try a forced reboot (Volume Down + Power 10 sec). If this does not help, the cache partition or system may be damaged. Try logging into Recovery again and selecting Wipe Cache Partition, then Reboot.

It is important to note that all your applications, photos, contacts and settings have been permanently deleted. The only way to restore data is to synchronize with the Google cloud or Samsung Cloudif it was enabled before the reset. It is impossible to restore local files from internal memory.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Sometimes the procedure does not go according to plan. The most common problem is that the phone does not enter Recovery mode. In this case, check the functionality of the buttons. If the volume button is stuck or is not pressed until it clicks, the combination will not work. Also make sure you are using the correct cable and USB port on your computer.

Another common situation is when red or orange warning text appears Custom Binary Blocked by FRP Lock or Knox Warranty Void. This means that previously they tried to install unofficial software on the device, and the protection worked. In this case, the standard reset may be blocked, and flashing through the app will be required. Odin.

If after the reset the phone requires an account that you do not remember, the situation becomes more complicated. The official way is to restore access to your Google account through the website on another device. Unofficial methods for bypassing FRP change frequently and depend on the specific security version Android Security Patch Level.

⚠️ Attention: The Recovery interface and button behavior may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and regional model. If the standard combination does not work, try variations with a long hold (up to 20 seconds).

In rare cases, you may need to clear the cache separately from the data. To do this, select the item Wipe cache partitionin the Recovery menu. This is safe and does not delete personal files, but can help if the phone is unstable after a system update.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Will a button reset remove a virus or malicious application?

Yes, a full reset to factory settings (Factory Reset) deletes all data from the user's memory section, including installed applications and files. If the virus is on the system as a normal application, it will be removed. However, if malware has penetrated deep into the system partition (which is rare on modern Android without root access), a reset may not help.

Is it possible to reset the phone if the screen is broken and does not show an image?

Theoretically, it is possible if the sensor is partially working or you can blindly repeat the button combination. However, without visual control in the Recovery menu it is very difficult to select the desired item Wipe data, since navigation requires precision. The chances of success are low without connecting a mouse or keyboard via OTG (if the phone supports unlocking and debugging).

How long does the reset process take?

The procedure itself for formatting data in the Recovery menu usually takes from 1 to 5 minutes. However, the first start of the system after a reset (initialization) can last up to 10-15 minutes. The total time that needs to be allocated for the operation is about 20 minutes.

What is FRP and why does the phone ask for a password after resetting?

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is Google's anti-theft system. If a Google account was added to the phone, then after a hard reset via the buttons, the device will require you to enter the password for this account when you turn it on for the first time. This is done so that the thief cannot simply reset the settings and use the stolen phone.

Will the warranty disappear after a button reset?

No, a soft reset to factory settings using standard methods (via the menu or Recovery buttons) is not a violation of the warranty terms. The warranty is void only in case of physical damage, moisture or installation of unofficial software (root access, custom firmware), which is recorded by the counter Knox.