Smartphone owners Samsung Galaxy sooner or later face the need to completely clean the device. This can happen for various reasons: the gadget started working slowly, you forgot the pattern key, or you are planning to sell the device. Returning to the original state is a radical, but often the only correct measure to eliminate software errors and “glitches.”
Before starting the procedure, it is important to understand that reset settings will permanently delete all your personal information. This applies to photos, contacts, installed applications and saved passwords. The process is irreversible, so you need to approach it with the utmost responsibility and first create a backup copy of the data in the cloud or on a computer.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for restoring the factory state on phones Galaxy S, Galaxy A and other brand models. We will consider both the standard method through the settings menu and the method through recovery mode Recovery Modewhich is indispensable if the device does not turn on or is locked.
Preparing the smartphone for a full reset
Any operation with system data requires preliminary preparation. Ignoring this step may result in irretrievable loss of important information. First of all, make sure that the battery charge level is at least 50-60%. If the phone shuts down due to low power while wiping data, it could damage the file system.
The next critical step is to create a backup copy. You can use the built-in service Samsung Cloud or account Google to synchronize contacts, calendar and notes. For photos and videos, the application is best Google Photos or manually copying files to your computer via a USB cable.
You also need to disable account protection if you plan to transfer the device to another person. Otherwise, the new owner will face an FRP (Factory Reset Protection) lock, which requires entering the password from the old Google account after turning it on.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure you remember the password for your Google and Samsung account. After the reset, the system may request them to confirm the owner's rights.
- 📸 Back up all important photos and videos to the cloud or PC.
- 🔋 Charge the device to at least 60% to avoid disconnecting during the process.
- 🔓 Unlink your Google and Samsung accounts in the settings before beginning of the procedure.
- 💾 Remove the MicroSD memory card, if installed, so as not to erase the data on it.
☑️ Ready to reset
Reset through the standard settings menu
This is the easiest and safest method available to every user. It is suitable for situations where the phone turns on, the screen responds to touches, and you have access to the desktop. The interface may differ slightly depending on the shell version One UI, but the logic of actions remains the same.
First, open the application Settings. Scroll down the list to the General settings section (or simply “General”). Here you need to find an item that in older versions of Android was called “Backup and reset”, and in new versions One UI is often hidden inside the "Reset" menu.
Select an option Reset data. The system will show you a detailed list of what will be deleted: accounts, system settings, downloaded applications and media files. Please study this list carefully. If you are confident in your decision, press the button Reset at the bottom of the screen.
To confirm the action, the phone will ask you to enter a PIN code, pattern or password that is used to unlock the screen. After entering the encoding, a final warning will appear. Press Remove everythingand the device will reboot, starting the cleaning process.
Why might the reset option be grayed out?
If the reset option is greyed out, check to see if Do Not Disturb mode is enabled or the lock is activated via Find My Mobile. Sometimes antivirus applications can prevent system changes.
⚠️ Attention: After clicking the delete button, everything will start automatically. Do not try to interrupt the process by pressing the volume or power buttons.
Resetting through the menu is a standard procedure that correctly closes all applications and clears the cache before formatting the memory.
Hard Reset via Recovery mode (if the phone is locked)
What to do if you have forgotten the unlock password, the screen does not respond to touches or the phone is stuck on the logo when you turn it on? In such cases, it will help Hard Reset through the engineering menu Recovery. This method works at the hardware level and does not require access to the operating system.
The procedure for entering recovery mode depends on the model of your device. On smartphones with a physical button Home (for example, Galaxy S7, J5), you need to turn off the phone and then press the buttons Volume Up + Home + Powerat the same time. Hold them until the logo appears.
On more modern models without the Home button (series Galaxy S8, S20, A50 and newer), the combination has changed. First, connect your phone with a USB cable to your computer (this is important for new versions of Android). Then press Volume Up and Power. As soon as the logo appears, release the buttons.
In the menu that opens, navigation is carried out using the volume buttons (up and down), and the selection is confirmed with the power button. You need to find the item Wipe data/factory reset. Move the cursor over it and confirm your selection. Next, the system will ask for confirmation - select Yes or Factory data reset.
| Samsung model | Button combination | Additional condition |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S7, J5, A5 (2016) | Volume Up + Home + Power | Phone is turned off |
| Galaxy S8, S9, S10, A series | Volume Up + Power | USB cable connected to PC |
| Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23 | Volume Up + Power | USB cable connected to PC |
| Galaxy Tab tablets | Volume Up + Power | Depends on the presence of the Home button |
If the phone does not enter Recovery mode the first time, try holding the buttons a little longer or use a different USB cable to connect to the computer.
Remote reset via the Find My Mobile service
The company Samsung has its own powerful tool for managing devices - the service Find My Mobile. It allows you to delete all data from your phone remotely, even if it is locked, provided that the device is logged into your Samsung account and has an Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
Go to the official website of the service from a computer or other smartphone. Log in using your account Samsung Account. Select the desired phone from the list of devices. In the control menu on the right or bottom, find the option Erase data (Erase data).
The system will again ask for the account password to confirm the owner’s identity. After confirmation, the command will be sent to the device. As soon as the phone receives a signal (this may take several minutes depending on the quality of the connection), the formatting process will begin.
This method is especially convenient in case of theft or loss of the phone, when you want to protect your personal data from prying eyes. However, if the phone is turned off or is outside the network coverage area, the command will be executed only after it next comes online.
Possible problems after restoring settings
After the procedure is completed, the phone will reboot and begin the initial setup, as if you just took it out of the box. This process may take from 5 to 15 minutes. Don’t be alarmed if the device hangs on the logo longer than usual - the system optimizes the files.
One of the common problems is the Google account request (FRP Lock). This is a theft protection mechanism. If you reset the phone through the menu, knowing the password, there will be no problems. But if it was done Hard Reset buttons, the system will require you to enter the email and password of the Google account that was synchronized earlier.
Users may also notice that the phone runs slower in the first hours. This is normal as background services index files and download updates. Let the device charge for about an hour without active use.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the Android version (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) and One UI customization. Always check the prompts on the screen of your specific device.
What should you do if your phone asks for a password for an old account that you forgot?
You will have to restore access to your Google account through google.com on your computer. Without this, it will not be possible to unlock the device in a legal way, since this is protection against theft.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card when reset?
By default, the “Data reset” function in the settings menu does not affect the external memory card MicroSD. However, in some older firmware versions there may be a checkbox for “Empty SD card”. Always double check this point before pressing the reset button. The most reliable way is to physically remove the card before starting the procedure.
How long does the formatting process take?
Data deletion itself usually happens quickly, in 1-3 minutes. However, subsequent reboot and initial system setup may take from 5 to 15 minutes. If the phone hangs on the logo for more than 20 minutes, there may be a firmware error.
Can I interrupt the reset if I change my mind?
No. Once you have confirmed the action (clicked “Delete all” or selected “Yes” in Recovery), the process becomes irreversible. Interrupting the power at this moment will damage the operating system and turn the phone into a “brick.”
Is it necessary to update the software after a reset?
It is desirable. After returning to factory settings, the phone is running the version of Android with which it left the pipeline (or the last one installed previously). It is recommended to immediately go to Settings → Software update and download the latest security patches.
Will contacts disappear if they are saved on the SIM card?
No, contacts stored directly on the chip SIM cards will not be removed when you reset your phone. However, modern smartphones by default save contacts in a Google account, and not on a SIM card, so check the source of saving before clearing.