Smartphones series Galaxy from the company Samsung are famous for their reliability and long service life, but over time, even the most powerful device can begin to work slower or accumulate unnecessary files. A situation arises when the user needs to completely clear the gadget’s memory, returning it to its original state. This may be required before selling the device to a new owner, to eliminate complex software glitches, or simply for “spring cleaning” of the system.
The procedure for completely deleting data, often called Hard Reset or resetting to factory settings, is a radical but extremely effective optimization method. It is important to understand that as a result of this operation, absolutely all user data will disappear from the device: contacts, photos, installed applications and logins. Therefore, the approach to performing this task should be as balanced and prepared as possible. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the stages of preparation and how to perform a complete wipe for devices based on Android.
Preparing a device for complete data deletion
Before initiating the process of erasing information, it is critical to perform a number of preparatory steps. The most important task is to save valuable data that cannot be restored after formatting. Many users underestimate this stage, relying on cloud services, but a local copy on a computer or external storage device is always more reliable.
Check the synchronization of your Google account and account Samsung Account. Make sure your contacts, calendar, and notes are successfully uploaded to the cloud. For photos and videos, it is best to use the application Google Photos or manually copy the folders DCIM and Pictures to your computer hard drive via a USB cable.
It is also necessary to disable device protection so that the new owner or you yourself do not encounter an activation lock after the reset. This is especially true for modern models with the function FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
- 📸 Back up all photos and videos to external media or to the cloud.
- 📱 Export call history and SMS messages if they are important to you.
- 🔐 Disable the screen lock (PIN code, pattern, fingerprint) before reset.
- ☁️ Check the synchronization status in the Google account settings.
⚠️ Attention: If you do not remove the Google account from the phone settings before resetting, after turning on the device will require you to enter the password for this account. This is anti-theft, but it can lock your phone if you forget your login details.
To quickly transfer data to a new Samsung phone, use the Smart Switch app - it creates a full backup that is easy to restore later.
Method 1: Reset through the Android settings menu
The most secure and convenient way to delete all data from phone Samsung —use the built-in menu of the system. This method is suitable for devices that turn on normally and the screen responds to touches. The interface may differ slightly depending on the shell version One UI, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models.
You need to go to the section Settings, scroll down the list and find the item General settings or General management. In some firmware versions this section may be called simply System. Next, select the option Reset. The system will offer several options, but we are specifically interested in Reset data.
A detailed list of what will be deleted will appear on the screen. Please read it carefully. If you skipped the backup step, this is your last chance to change your mind. To confirm the operation, the system will ask you to enter your PIN code or screen lock pattern.
Settings → General settings → Reset → Data reset → ResetAfter pressing the final button, the device will reboot and begin the formatting process. The screen may go dark for a few minutes - this is normal. Do not try to interrupt the process by pressing buttons, as this may damage the file system.
☑️ Reset algorithm through settings
Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery mode
Sometimes there are situations when the smartphone freezes, does not boot to the desktop, or the lock password is forgotten. In such cases, the standard menu is not available, and you have to use recovery mode Recovery Mode. This method is more “rough”, but allows you to clean the phone even with serious software failures.
To enter this mode, you must completely turn off the device. The key combination for entering depends on your model Galaxy. On new models without a physical Home button (starting with series S10 and newer), the procedure has become more complicated due to security requirements Android 11 and higher.
If you have a modern smartphone Samsung, connect it with a USB cable to a switched on computer or to another phone (just to charging from a wall outlet may not work). Then hold down the Volume up and button Power. Hold them until the logo appears Samsung, then release.
In the menu that appears, navigation is carried out using the volume buttons (up and down), and selecting an item is done using the power button. You need to find the item Wipe data/factory reset. Confirm your choice by selecting Factory data reset or Yes in the next menu.
⚠️ Attention: On new Samsung models, to enter Recovery, you must connect the USB cable to the active source (PC or phone). Simply pressing the buttons on a switched off phone without a cable often does not work.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in English?
There is no Russian language in recovery mode. Focus on the position of the lines: the reset point is usually the third or fourth from the top. Use the translator on a friend's phone to take a photo of the screen and understand the context if you are afraid of making a mistake.
Reset features on different Galaxy models
The line of smartphones Samsung is extremely extensive, and the physical features of the buttons on different models make adjustments to the reset process. Owners of old devices with a button Home are luckier - the key combinations there are more intuitive.
For devices with a physical "Home" button (for example, Galaxy S7, A5 2017), the combination looks like this: hold Volume up + Home + Power. Hold until the logo appears. Owners of models with a fingerprint scanner on the side (series A, M, S10e) need to use the screen lock button instead of a separate power button.
The differences also concern the holding time of the buttons. On some firmware, the recovery menu appears instantly, on others you need to hold the combination for 10-15 seconds. If the phone simply vibrates and reboots into normal mode, it means you released the buttons too early or did not hit the desired time interval.
| Device model | Button combination | Input feature |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S20-S24, Note 20 | Volume Up + Power | Requires connecting a USB cable to a PC |
| Galaxy S7, S8, S9 | Volume Up + Bixby + Power | Cable is not required, but recommended |
| Galaxy A50-A73, M series | Volume Up + Power | Scanner fingerprint is combined with the power button |
| Galaxy S6, Note 5 | Volume Up + Home + Power | Classic combination for old flagships |
The main difference between new Samsung models is the mandatory requirement to connect to a computer USB port to enter recovery mode, which is done to protect against unauthorized reset by attackers.
Account protection and FRP blocking
One of the most common problems after a reset is blocking FRP (Factory Reset Protection). This is Google's security mechanism that ties the device to the last account used. If you reset the phone through the (Recovery) buttons without deleting the account in advance, the system will require you to enter the email and password for this account during the first setup.
This is done so that a stolen phone cannot simply be cleaned and sold. This can be a problem for the rightful owner if he has forgotten his login details. Therefore, rule number one: before selling or transferring your phone, be sure to delete your Google account through the menu Settings → Accounts.
If you buy a used phone, always ask the seller to demonstrate the reset process or make sure that the device does not ask for someone else's account after turning it on. The presence of an FRP request on a switched-on phone is a red flag indicating that the device may have been stolen or reset without the owner’s knowledge.
- 🔒 FRP is triggered only when reset through Recovery Mode, but not through Settings.
- 📧 To remove the lock, you need data from the exact Google account that was last.
- 🚫 Resetting through the settings menu automatically disables FRP protection.
⚠️ Warning: Bypassing FRP lock with third-party apps is often an unstable solution and may violate warranty terms or laws. The only legal way is to restore access to your Google account through the password recovery form.
What to do after returning to factory settings
After the formatting process is completed and the phone has rebooted, you will see the initial setup screen, just like when you bought the device in a store. Language, connection to Wi-Fi and logging into your account are the first steps that need to be completed.
Do not rush to immediately restore all applications from a backup copy. Experts recommend first setting up your phone as new, installing critical system and driver updates, and only then transferring your data. This will help avoid transferring potential errors or "junk" files from the old system.
When restoring from a backup Google or Samsung Cloud carefully choose what exactly you want to return. Often, along with contacts, unnecessary settings are also restored, which can again slow down work. Leave only the most necessary checkboxes: contacts, messages, photos.
Check the operation of the main functions: camera, microphone, sensor, communication modules. If, after resetting, problems with the phone's operation persist (for example, it gets hot or discharges quickly), this may indicate a hardware malfunction that a soft reset cannot fix.
After turning it on for the first time, go to Settings → Device Maintenance and run optimization. This will configure caching for the new "clean" system.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the SD memory card be deleted during a factory reset?
By default, a factory reset does not affect the external SD memory card. However, the reset menu often has a "Empty SD card" checkbox or a similar option. If you don't check it, the files will remain on the flash drive. For complete safety, it is better to remove the card before the procedure.
How long does the Hard Reset process take?
Usually the process takes from 5 to 15 minutes. The time depends on the amount of memory that needs to be formatted and the speed of the processor. If the phone hangs on the logo for more than 30 minutes, there may be a firmware failure.
Is it possible to recover deleted photos after a reset?
It is almost impossible to independently restore data after a full reset (Factory Reset), since the encryption keys are deleted. Only professional data recovery services can help, and not always, or backups in the cloud.
Do you need to update the software after a reset?
Yes, this is recommended. After the reset, the phone returns to the version of Android that was installed at the time of the last major update. Checking for current security patches through Settings → Software update will protect your device.
Will a reset remove viruses from your phone?
Yes, in 99% of cases, a full reset removes malicious software, since it resides in a user memory section that is completely formatted. However, the virus will not be deleted if it has penetrated the system partition (root viruses), but this is rare for ordinary users.