Smartphone users Samsung often face situations where the current state of the operating system requires radical measures. The phrase "wipe the system" in colloquial speech usually does not mean removing the Android kernel, but completely returning the device to its factory state (Factory Reset). This procedure erases all user data, settings and installed applications, returning the gadget to the state it was in when purchased.
The need for such actions may arise for various reasons: selling the device, transferring it to another person, critical errors in the software, or the need to remove a virus that cannot be eliminated by standard antivirus methods. It is important to understand that the process is irreversible, and before starting manipulations, you should carefully assess the risks.
In this guide, we will look at two main ways to perform this task: through the settings menu (if the phone turns on) and through Recovery mode (if the device is locked or does not boot). The issues of protecting your Google account and the features of working with modern models of the series will also be covered. After clicking the confirmation button to restore factory settings, it will be impossible to return photos, contacts and messages without a previously created copy. Owners Galaxy S And A.
Preparing to hard reset your device
It is critical that you perform a backup before you begin deleting data. After clicking the confirmation button to restore factory settings, it will be impossible to return photos, contacts and messages without a previously created copy. Owners Samsung have access to a powerful tool Samsung Cloud or can use an external drive.
Make sure the battery charge is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to a low battery can damage system partitions and turn your smartphone into a brick. You also need to disable all lock screens (PIN code, pattern, fingerprint) before the procedure if you plan to do this through the menu.
⚠️ Attention: If FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection is activated on the device, after resetting the phone will require you to enter the password from the last synchronized Google account. Without this data, you will not be able to use your smartphone.
Check for important files in the download folders and internal memory. Users often forget about downloaded documents or the messenger cache, which takes up gigabytes of space. Transfer this data to your computer or cloud storage.
☑️ Preparing to reset the system
Reset via the settings menu (soft format)
This is the most secure and simplest method available to every user whose phone is functioning normally. The shell interface One UI may differ slightly depending on the version of Android, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models.
Go to the settings section and find the "General settings" item. The main system management tools are hidden here. You will need to find the "Reset" subsection, where the options for returning to the original state are concentrated. The system will warn you about what data will be deleted.
- 📱 Go to
Settings → General settings → Reset. - 🗑️ Select Reset data (Factory Data Reset).
- 📜 Scroll down the list to the end and click the "Reset" button.
- 🔐 Confirm the action by entering your PIN code or pattern.
After confirmation, the cleaning process will begin. The smartphone may reboot several times. Do not try to interrupt this process by pressing the Volume or Power buttons. The duration of the operation depends on the amount of stored information and the speed of the device's flash memory.
Before resetting through the settings menu, it is recommended to log out of your Google account manually in the "Accounts and Backup" section to avoid unnecessary security checks during the first setup.
Using Recovery mode (Hard Reset)
If the device is not turns on, freezes on the logo or you have forgotten the unlock password, the only way out is to use the Recoverymode. This method allows you to clean the system at the bootloader level, bypassing the Android interface.
On modern models Samsung Galaxy, released after 2019, entering this mode requires connecting the smartphone to the computer via a USB cable. Without a connection to a PC, the button combination may not work due to changes in security protocols.
Turn off your smartphone completely. If it freezes, hold down 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 USB cable to the computer (not to the charger), and then hold down the combination of buttons.
Volume Up + Side button (Power)Hold the buttons until logo Samsung, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume up button. After a few seconds, a black menu with text in English will appear - this is the recovery mode.
The nuances of logging into Recovery on new models
On smartphones without a physical “Home” button (starting from S8 and newer), login is via a USB cable. On older models with a Home button, the combination may include three buttons: Volume Up + Home + Power.
Navigation in recovery mode
In mode Recovery the touch screen does not work. Control is carried out exclusively by physical volume buttons to navigate through menu items and the power button to confirm selections. This is an important point that you need to get used to.
Using the volume buttons, go down to the item Wipe data/factory reset. Pressing the power button will activate this item. The system will ask for confirmation as this action is critical to data integrity.
| Action | Control button | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Move up/down | Volume Up / Down | Selecting the desired menu item |
| Confirming selection | Power | Running the selected command |
| Cancel / Back | Power (in some menus) | Return to the main menu |
Select item Factory data reset or Yes to confirm. The partition will begin formatting /data. You will see running log lines at the bottom of the screen. When the process is complete, the system will automatically return you to the main Recovery menu.
In Recovery mode, the touch screen is disabled. All actions are performed only with mechanical volume and power buttons.
Completion of the procedure and first launch
After a successful reset, the item will be highlighted in the main Recovery menu Reboot system now. Press the Power button to restart your device. The first startup after a reset (“cold start”) takes much longer than usual - from 3 to 10 minutes.
Don’t panic if your smartphone is stuck on the logo Samsung or boot animation in the first minutes. The system checks the integrity of files and initializes partitions. Interfering with this process may result in a cyclic reboot (bootloop).
After booting, you will see a welcome screen similar to what you saw when you bought the phone in the store. You will have to go through the initial setup procedure: select a language, connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your accounts.
⚠️ Attention: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the password for the Google account that was previously synchronized with the device, this is normal. Enter the details of the account that was last on the phone before the reset.
Solving problems after a reset (FRP and errors)
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after resetting, the device requires entering account information that they do not remember. This is a security feature FRP (Factory Reset Protection) designed to protect the device from theft. It is impossible to bypass it by legal means without the owner's data.
If the phone does not turn on after a reset and constantly reboots, the system partition may be damaged. In this case, you may need to flash the device through the app Odin using the official firmware for a specific model and region.
It is also worth considering that the interfaces and location of items may change with security updates. If the described paths do not match your screen, look for up-to-date information in the help section on the manufacturer's official portal.
If after resetting the phone heats up and quickly discharges in the first hours, let it work for about an hour. The system indexes files and optimizes background processes.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card when resetting?
By default, the "Data Reset" function does not affect the external memory card. However, in the reset menu there is often a separate checkbox “Empty memory card” or “SD card”. If you do not check it, the files on the flash drive will remain untouched. For complete safety, it is better to remove the card before the procedure.
Is it possible to recover deleted photos after a Factory Reset?
Restoring data after a full reset is extremely difficult and in most cases impossible for the average user. Modern encryption methods on Android make data unreadable without the keys, which are deleted upon reset. Specialized software rarely gives a positive result.
What should I do if the phone asks for a password for the old account, but I don’t remember it?
You need to restore access to your Google account through the website google.com from your computer using the password recovery procedure. Without entering the correct data from the last synchronized account, it will not be possible to legally unlock the phone due to FRP protection.
How long does a complete system reset take?
The formatting procedure itself takes from 2 to 5 minutes. However, the first launch of the system and its initial setup may take from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the processor model and the amount of internal memory of the smartphone.