Resetting Samsung to factory settings via buttons: Complete guide

A Samsung Galaxy smartphone stuck on the logo, a complete sensor failure or a forgotten pattern requires an immediate reset via the physical volume and power buttons, since the standard settings menu is not available in these cases.

Performing this operation requires care and strict adherence to the sequence of actions, since any deviation from the algorithm may cause the device to freeze in the service menu or, in rare cases, damage the bootloader. Unlike a soft reset through settings, the method using physical buttons works even when the operating system Android is completely inoperable. This makes it an indispensable tool in the arsenal of any user who is faced with critical system errors or the need to urgently unlock the device before selling it.

Before you begin manipulating the buttons, you must clearly understand the irreversibility of the process: all your photos, contacts, applications and personal files will be permanently deleted. However, if the phone is locked down by malware or a system glitch, this is often the only chance to get the gadget back into working order. Below we will analyze in detail all the nuances of preparation, key combinations for various models and actions that need to be taken directly in the engineering recovery menu.

Preparing the device for a forced reset

The first and most critical step is to ensure that the battery has a sufficient charge level. The process of formatting internal memory and reinstalling system files requires stable power consumption for 10–15 minutes. If the battery runs out while writing system partitions, this can lead to damage to the file system structure, after which the phone will turn into a “brick” and will require complex recovery through a computer using special software Odin.

It is also important to remove the memory card in advance microSDif it is installed in your smartphone. Although modern versions of the shell One UI usually do not affect external drives when resetting, there is still a risk of accidental formatting or corruption of data on the card. In addition, removing the SIM card sometimes helps to avoid conflicts during the initial boot of the system after a reset, especially if the problem was related to a network module error.

⚠️ Attention: After turning on the phone and going through the initial setup, you will be greeted by the protection system Google FRP (Factory Reset Protection). You will definitely need to enter the login and password for the Google account that was synchronized with the device before the reset. Without this data, it will be impossible to activate the phone.

If you have physical access to files on the device before it completely stopped turning on, it is strongly recommended that you try to back up important data via cloud services or connect the phone to a PC in file transfer mode. If the sensor does not work, but the system boots, you can try connecting a USB mouse via an adapter OTG to control the interface and save contacts.

Keyboard combinations to enter Recovery mode

The algorithm for entering the service recovery menu differs significantly depending on the model of your device and the version of the installed operating system Android. Starting with the update to Android 11 and above, the company Samsung changed the procedure for most of its smartphones, adding a mandatory requirement to connect to a computer via a USB cable. This change was introduced for security purposes to prevent unauthorized reset by attackers in case the device is stolen.

For modern models, such as the series Galaxy S21, S22, S23, as well as new Galaxy A i M, the procedure is as follows: first you need to turn off the phone and connect it with a USB-Type-C cable to the turned on computer or laptop. Only after this you need to press the combination of buttons. If you try to enter Recovery mode without connecting to a PC, the phone will simply turn on in normal mode or show a charging animation.

For older models released before 2020 and running on Android 10 and below, connecting to a computer is not required. In this case, you just need to press the necessary keys on the switched off device. It is important to note that on smartphones with a physical button Bixby (for example, S8, S9, S10, Note 9) the combination involves three keys, while in new models with a side fingerprint scanner there are only two.

• 🔌 New models (Android 11+): Turn off → Connect USB to PC → Press and hold Volume Up + Power button.
• 📱 Old models with Bixby: Turn off → Press Volume Up + Bixby + Power.
• 🔘 Models without Bixby (old): Turn off → Press Volume Up + Power.

What to do if the cable is not connected by hand?

If you are unable to connect your phone to your computer, and the model requires this to enter Recovery, you can try using a charger from another Samsung smartphone with a USB-C to USB-C cable connected to an outlet. In some cases, the phone will recognize this as connecting to an external device (although this does not work on all firmwares). The most reliable option is to find any PC or laptop.

Navigate and perform a reset in the Recovery menu

After successfully entering the mode Android Recovery you will see a black screen with a list of commands written in blue or yellow font. At this stage, the touch screen does not work, so control is carried out exclusively by hardware buttons. The volume keys Volume Up/Down are used to move the cursor up and down the list, and the power button Power performs the function of confirming the selection (analogous to pressing "Enter" on the keyboard).

You need to find the item called Wipe data/factory reset. Depending on the version of Recovery, this item may be located at the root of the menu or inside a sub-item. Be extremely careful: there is often a Reboot system nowitem above, and various debugging options below. Selecting the wrong item may exit the menu without performing a reset, forcing you to repeat the login procedure again.

After the cursor highlights the line Wipe data/factory reset, press the power button. The system will ask for additional confirmation to prevent accidental activation. You will see a list of many “No” items and one item Factory data reset (or Yes in older versions). Scroll down to confirm and press the power button again. The formatting process will start, which is visually displayed as a log at the bottom of the screen.

User action	Control button	Result of the action
Move through the menu	Volume Up / Down	Cursor moves one line higher or lower
Confirm selection	Power button	Activation of the selected menu item
Exit submenu	Back button (if available)	Return to a higher level (rarely used)
Cancel action	Select item "No"	Return to the main Recovery menu

Completing the process and booting the system for the first time

When the data deletion process is completed, a message will appear on the screen Data wipe complete. After this, you will automatically return to the main menu of Recovery mode. Now your task is to correctly exit this mode. To do this, select the very first item in the list - Reboot system now and confirm the selection with the power button.

The phone will begin to reboot. Keep in mind that the first startup after a hard reset takes significantly longer than usual. This is due to the fact that the system needs to recreate the folder structure, check the integrity of system files and optimize applications. The screen with the logo Samsung can hang from 5 to 15 minutes. Do not panic or try to turn off the phone during this period, as this may interrupt critical initialization processes.

Once the download is complete, you will see a welcome screen with a choice of language. The system will be completely clean, as if you just took the phone out of the box. You have to go through the standard setup procedure: connecting to Wi-Fi, logging into your Google account and restoring data from a backup if you created one earlier.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after selecting an item Reboot system now The phone boots back into the Recovery menu instead of launching Android. This phenomenon is called “bootloop in recovery”. Most often, this indicates damage to the system partition cache or that the system update was interrupted earlier. In such cases, simply resetting the data may not be enough.

To solve this problem, try selecting the item Wipe cache partitionbefore resetting the data. This operation clears the system's temporary files without affecting your personal data (although after a data reset this is no longer so relevant, it is useful during cyclic reboots). If this does not help, you may need to flash the device via a computer using the utility Odin and official firmware from the site Sammobile or Frija.

⚠️ Attention: If the phone enters Recovery mode on its own immediately after turning on without pressing any buttons, this may indicate a hardware malfunction of the volume button (it may be physically clamped or oxidized) or critical software damage.

Another common problem is the appearance of red or yellow text warning that “Custom Binary Blocked by FRP Lock” or similar messages when trying to enter Download mode (if you mixed up the buttons). In this case, just hold the Power button for about 7-10 seconds to force a reboot and try to enter Recovery again using the correct combination.

Differences in reset for different Galaxy series

Despite the same logic of the Recovery mode, owners of different lines Samsung may notice slight differences in the interface and behavior of the devices. For example, in the series Galaxy Note with a stylus S Pen The procedure is identical to conventional flagships, but it is important to make sure that the stylus is removed before starting manipulations to avoid accidental clicks or interference.

In budget series Galaxy A and M with a plastic case, the buttons may have a slightly different stroke, which requires a clearer pressing. Also on some models of the series M the fingerprint scanner is combined with the power button, but the logic for entering Recovery remains the same: for new models - with a connection to a PC, for old ones - without.

It is worth special mentioning the folding smartphones of the series Galaxy Z Fold i Z Flip. The same rules apply for them as for flagships S-Series of the corresponding year of manufacture. However, due to the complex design of the hinges and buttons, it is recommended that you perform the reset in the open position to ensure uniform cooling and access to all controls.

⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and button combinations may change slightly with new security updates and versions of One UI. If the described methods do not work, always check the official user manual for your specific model on the manufacturer's website.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Will information be deleted from the memory card when resetting using the buttons?

B In standard mode Wipe data/factory resetonly the internal memory of the device is used. The memory card microSD usually is not affected. However, to eliminate any risk of data loss, we strongly recommend that you physically remove the memory card before starting the reset procedure.

Is it possible to reset the phone if the screen is completely black and does not light up?

If the screen shows no signs of life (no vibration, sounds, backlight), then entering the Recovery menu cannot be visually controlled. In this case, it is extremely difficult to perform a blind reset. Try connecting your phone to the charger and waiting for at least 30 minutes. If the phone vibrates when connected, but the screen is black, there may be a problem in the display, and resetting with the buttons will not help without replacing the screen.

What should I do if the phone asks for a Google account after resetting, but I don’t remember it?

This triggers FRP protection. Without entering the correct login and password from the last synchronized account, it is impossible to unlock your phone using legal methods. You will have to remember the data or restore access to your Google account via your computer. Third-party methods for bypassing FRP are often paid and unsafe.

How long does the entire reset process take?

The procedure itself for formatting data in the Recovery menu takes from 2 to 5 minutes. However, the full cycle, including entering the menu, waiting for a reboot and initial system setup (when the phone “thinks” on the logo), can take 20–30 minutes depending on the device’s memory speed.

Will the carrier lock disappear after a Hard Reset?

No. A factory reset only deletes user data and system settings. The lock for a specific telecom operator (Sim-lock) is protected in another memory section and cannot be removed by formatting the data. Unlocking requires a special code from the operator.