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To wipe most Samsung Galaxy phones, back up anything you need, check your account credentials, then open Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset. Review what will be deleted, tap Reset, then Delete all, and authenticate when prompted. If you are handing the phone to someone else, remove your Google account before resetting and leave the phone at its initial setup screen.
Before you reset: protect your data and access
A factory reset removes personal data stored on the phone and restores factory defaults. Google cautions that not every app backs up or restores every setting or item, so check important data individually before proceeding. Google’s backup and restore guidance explains what may be included in an Android backup.
Make and inspect a backup
- Check photos, downloads, documents, messages, and app-specific data you want to keep. Confirm that anything important is actually available in your chosen backup or cloud account.
- Make sure you can access authenticator accounts and recovery methods on another device; a reset can remove locally stored authentication data.
- Inspect Secure Folder separately. Samsung’s Smart Switch PC backup instructions say that hidden files and Secure Folder contents are not transferred by that workflow. Do not assume a single backup contains everything.
- For a Smart Switch PC backup, follow Samsung’s regional instructions and verify the resulting backup before wiping the phone: Samsung Smart Switch and personal-data guide.
Google says a reset erases data from the phone, while data stored in a Google Account may be restored; apps and their data are uninstalled. The local reset does not itself delete cloud content or backups. See Google’s Android factory-reset guidance.
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- Know the screen-lock PIN, pattern, or password, and the Google account and password associated with the phone. A signed-in Samsung account may also require its password during reset.
- Google advises waiting 24 hours after changing your Google Account password before resetting. Its guidance also recommends charging to at least 70% and having network access; Android setup requires a connection to sign in. These are Google’s general Android recommendations, and details can vary by device.
- Keep the phone connected to power if needed and do not start until you are ready to complete the confirmation prompts.
If you are selling or giving the phone away
Remove the Google account from the phone through its account settings before the reset. This is the owner’s preparation for transfer, not a way to bypass ownership protection. Google’s Factory Reset Protection can require the Google account previously registered on the device during setup if the account was left in place. Samsung explains the reset and account handoff in its UK factory-reset guide and its Factory Reset Protection support page.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Remove the SIM and any microSD card before handing the phone over. A factory reset should not be treated as an erase of removable storage. Samsung warns that an encrypted microSD card must be decrypted before resetting, or the phone may no longer be able to read it. If you are keeping the card, manage its contents separately.
Reset the Galaxy from Settings
- Open Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset. Menu names may vary by Galaxy model, software version, or region.
- Review the reset screen and its list of content to be erased. Confirm your backup and account preparations before continuing.
- Tap Reset, then tap Delete all.
- Enter the requested screen-lock or Samsung account credentials and follow any additional on-screen prompts.
- Wait for the phone to restart. For a transfer, stop when the initial setup screen appears; do not sign back into your accounts.
Samsung’s US instructions provide the current general Settings route and reset prompts: Samsung Galaxy factory-reset support.
Rank #2
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
If Settings is unavailable
Use another route only when the normal Settings process is not possible. Samsung describes device-button and SmartThings Find options, but button sequences depend on the exact model. Check Samsung’s instructions for your device rather than relying on a universal button combination: Samsung reset methods.
Google also supports remote erasure through Find Hub when the phone has power and network access, is associated with a Google Account, has Find Hub enabled, and is visible on Google Play. See Google’s help for a locked or inaccessible Android device. Remote erase is a fallback, not a substitute for confirming the phone has been reset before transfer.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Verify the wipe and understand its limits
After a successful reset, Samsung says the phone should start at the initial setup screen. For a sale or gift, leave it there. If setup asks for the prior Google account, use the owner’s credentials or contact Samsung support; do not try to bypass the ownership check.
A factory reset is the standard way to remove personal data stored on a Galaxy phone before transfer, but Samsung’s general guidance does not establish a universal forensic-grade erasure guarantee for every model, removable card, backup, or threat scenario. Keep that distinction in mind for unusually sensitive data. A reset also does not erase cloud backups, Google Account content, or data on a memory card; those must be handled separately.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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