If you mean Camera > Settings > Reset settings, that resets the Camera app to its defaults; it is not a factory reset, and Samsung does not say that it erases photos. If you mean Factory data reset, back up your photos first: that reset deletes personal data, including photos. The steps below explain both actions so you can choose the right one.
First, identify which reset you mean
Samsung separates the Camera app’s Reset settings option from a phone-wide Factory data reset. Resetting Camera settings returns the app’s options to their defaults. A factory data reset erases personal data from the phone, so photos that exist only on the device can be lost. Samsung describes the Camera option this way: “The Camera app will be reset to its defaults, which may help clear the error.” (Samsung Camera app troubleshooting.)
If you only want to restore Camera defaults
Open the Camera app and go to Settings > Reset settings > Reset. On Galaxy S25 series phones and devices running One UI 7.0 or later, Samsung says to tap Quick settings (the four-dot icon) in Camera before opening Settings. Menu placement and wording can differ by model and software. A photo backup is sensible general protection, but Samsung does not state that this Camera-only reset requires one.
If you are resetting the whole phone
Back up and verify your photos before choosing Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset. Samsung notes that menu labels and layouts vary, and the phone may ask for the password to the signed-in Samsung account. Its Singapore factory-reset guidance, updated September 3, 2026, recommends backing up important content first.
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Choose a backup method
Use a method that fits the amount of data, equipment, connectivity, and accounts you have. For irreplaceable photos, keep two independent copies if practical—for example, a computer copy plus a cloud copy.
| Method | Best suited to | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| USB copy to a computer | Making a local copy of photos and videos | Use a data-capable cable; confirm the files open on the computer. |
| Smart Switch | Backing up or restoring a broader set of phone content | Check the available backup destination and what the backup includes. |
| Gallery sync with OneDrive | Accessing synced Gallery photos in the cloud | Link the required accounts and wait until the photos appear in OneDrive. |
| Google backup | Backing up listed device data to a Google Account | Check backup status and available account storage; restore is handled during device setup. |
| USB drive or microSD | Keeping an offline copy without relying on cloud sync | Confirm the phone supports the connection or card slot; support varies by model. |
Back up photos to a computer over USB
- Connect the Galaxy to a computer with a USB cable that supports data transfer. If the phone does not appear, try a different cable or a suitable adapter.
- Unlock the phone and approve the USB connection if prompted. From the phone’s USB notification, select the file- or image-transfer option.
- On the computer, open the connected phone’s internal storage and copy the DCIM folder—or the specific photo folders you want—to a folder on the computer.
- Open several copied photos on the computer and check that the expected files and folders are present before resetting the phone.
Samsung identifies DCIM as a location for photos and describes using an MTP- or PTP-capable cable in its Galaxy-to-computer transfer guide. If your camera saves images elsewhere, copy those folders too.
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Back up with Smart Switch
Samsung’s Smart Switch backup guidance covers backups to a PC or Mac and, on supported phones, to a microSD card. This is a broader device-backup route rather than simply copying photos. Follow the prompts for your device and destination, then confirm that the backup completed. Do not assume a general device backup necessarily contains every file you want to preserve.
Sync Gallery photos with OneDrive
Samsung describes syncing Gallery with OneDrive after linking Samsung and Microsoft accounts. This can make synced photos accessible away from the phone, but the account setup and feature availability may vary. Complete the account linking and sync, then sign in to OneDrive and confirm that the photos you need are visible before beginning a factory reset. Samsung’s backup and restore guidance also describes Gallery synchronization with OneDrive.
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Use Google backup
- On the phone, open Settings > Accounts and backup > Google Drive > Back up data. Labels can vary by device.
- Review the listed categories, then tap Back up now.
- Check the backup status and confirm your Google Account has enough storage for the content you want to back up.
- Before resetting, verify that the backup completed. Samsung says backed-up data can be restored during initial setup of the phone.
These menu steps come from Samsung’s Google Account backup instructions, dated September 17, 2026, which list photos and videos among backup categories. Samsung says automatic backups run over Wi-Fi while the phone is charging and unused for at least two hours. Google Account storage limits apply; Samsung also notes that non-Google-Photos Drive backup data may be deleted after 57 consecutive days without device use. For a reset you are about to perform, use the manual backup and verify its status rather than relying on a future automatic backup.
Copy photos to external storage
Samsung says you can back up data to a USB drive or SD card before a device reset. If your Galaxy has a microSD slot, Samsung Canada’s microSD transfer guide explains copying files with My Files. Card support depends on the model, and some newer Galaxy phones do not have a microSD slot.
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A compatible USB-C flash drive is another possible offline destination, but confirm that your phone supports the drive connection and whether an adapter is needed. For either option, copy the files, safely disconnect the storage, and open a few photos from it before erasing anything.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Before you tap Factory data reset
- Confirm that you chose a phone-wide factory reset only if that is actually your goal; Camera app Reset settings is a separate action.
- Wait for every copy or cloud sync to finish, then open photos from the backup destination.
- If you used more than one backup method, check each copy independently.
- Make sure you know the credentials for the Samsung or Google account you used. Samsung notes those account details may be requested during backup restoration or phone setup.
If a camera problem prompted the reset
Samsung’s troubleshooting guidance also suggests trying the Camera app’s limited Reset settings option, checking for Camera updates, and using Safe mode to investigate whether a downloaded app is causing a problem. A factory reset is a much broader step because it erases device data; do not use it as a substitute for resetting the Camera app unless you intend to wipe the phone.
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- RUGGED REFINEMENT: As strong as it is stylish; The sturdy metal body keeps your data safe and intact, and the integrated keyring prevents accidental misplacement or loss; The Bar Plus is the ideal combination of stunning design and worry-free durability
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