You can reset selected Samsung phone settings without erasing your apps or personal data. A factory data reset is different: it deletes personal data stored on the phone. If you need a factory reset, back up first and confirm what the backup contains; restoration depends on the backup method and may not bring back every item.
Choose the reset that matches the problem
“Reset” can mean restarting the phone, restoring selected settings, or erasing the device. A restart simply turns the phone off and on. For settings or connection problems, try the narrower reset options before considering a factory data reset.
| Option | Useful for | What it changes or removes |
|---|---|---|
| Reset all settings | General settings problems | Samsung says this preserves apps, accounts, personal data, security and language settings, and settings for downloaded apps. |
| Reset mobile network settings | Mobile connectivity problems | Resets mobile network settings; Samsung says apps and data are not erased. |
| Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings | Wi-Fi or Bluetooth problems | Resets those connection settings; apps and data are not erased. Reconnect to Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth accessories afterward. |
| Reset accessibility settings | Accessibility-preference problems | Removes preferences such as TalkBack and spoken assistance settings. |
| Factory data reset | When you intend to erase the phone or need a full reset | Deletes personal data stored on the device and restores factory defaults. |
Samsung documents these options in its Galaxy factory reset instructions. Menu labels and available options can differ by model and software version.
Reset selected settings without erasing apps and data
- Open Settings and tap General management.
- Tap Reset, then choose Reset all settings, Reset mobile network settings, or Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, depending on the problem.
- Review the on-screen description and confirm the reset.
For accessibility preferences, choose Reset accessibility settings in the same Reset menu if it is available on your phone. Read the confirmation screen before proceeding so you know which preferences will be removed.
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Back up before a factory data reset
A factory reset does not preserve data on the phone. Samsung warns that personal information may not be recoverable if it was not saved first. Choose a backup method based on where you want the backup stored and how you will restore it.
| Backup method | Where it is stored | Restoration and important limits |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Cloud | Samsung Cloud, on supported devices | Restore from the Samsung account’s Cloud settings. What can be restored depends on the options available and what the backup includes. |
| Google account / Google Drive | Google account backup | Samsung’s U.S. instructions say restore is offered during the Setup Wizard on a new or reset device after signing in to the Google account, not from an ordinary Settings screen. |
| Smart Switch to a computer | Windows PC or Mac | Use Smart Switch on the computer to make a backup before the reset and restore after setup. You can select from the data categories offered. |
| Smart Switch to external storage | Compatible microSD card or USB flash storage via USB OTG | Available only where the phone and storage connection support it. Check model compatibility; it is an alternative to a computer or cloud backup, not a universal requirement. |
| Manual file copy | Computer or external storage | Useful for selected files, but a file copy is not a complete system backup. |
Samsung Cloud
- Open Settings and tap Accounts and backup.
- Under Samsung Cloud, tap Back up data, select the categories you want, and tap Back up now.
- To restore, open the Samsung account’s Cloud settings, tap Restore data, and choose the backup and categories to restore.
The exact route varies across Android versions. Samsung describes these backup and restore options in its backup and restore guide.
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Google account backup
Samsung’s U.S. guide describes Google Drive backup under Settings > Accounts and backup > Back up data. To restore that backup, sign in to the same Google account during the Setup Wizard after resetting the phone or setting up a new device. Do not assume you can start this restore later from a regular Settings screen.
Smart Switch on a computer or external storage
For a computer backup, connect the phone to a Windows PC or Mac with a compatible USB cable, open Smart Switch on the computer, and select Backup. After resetting and setting up the phone, connect it again and select Restore. Follow the prompts to choose available categories.
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Smart Switch may also support backup or restore using a microSD card or USB flash storage connected through USB OTG, depending on the phone. Check that your model supports the storage method and connection before relying on it. For a local copy, a compatible USB flash drive for a Galaxy backup is an option, alongside a PC or Mac.
Copy specific files manually
You can copy selected files between a Galaxy phone and a computer or external storage using file transfer. Treat this as a way to save particular photos or documents, not as a full backup of apps, settings, and other phone data.
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Check the backup before erasing
- Check the backup date and the categories selected.
- Confirm that important photos and documents are accessible in the destination, such as the computer, cloud account, or external storage.
- Consider data kept inside individual apps. Do not assume that a phone backup includes every app’s private data; check the app’s own backup or account-sync options where needed.
- Remember that restore options depend on the backup method. Samsung says Smart Switch transfer availability can vary by device or operating system, and DRM-protected content cannot be transferred.
Factory-reset a Galaxy phone from Settings
Use this route only when you intend to erase the device. Samsung’s current U.S. instructions use the following steps, though the wording and screens can vary by model and software version.
- Open Settings and tap General management.
- Tap Reset, then Factory data reset. Review the information shown.
- Tap Reset, then Delete all.
- If prompted, enter the screen-lock credentials. If a Samsung account is signed in, enter its password to complete the reset. Samsung notes that a network connection is required to log out of a Samsung account before completing the reset.
- Wait for the phone to restart to the initial setup screen.
Check accounts, SD cards, and transfer limits
Have your Google and Samsung credentials ready
Know the Google account previously registered on the phone before resetting. Samsung says Google Factory Reset Protection may require that account’s verification after reset methods other than the Factory data reset option in Settings. Samsung’s U.S. guidance says FRP is included on Android 5.1 and later; for Android 9 and later, verification using the previous screen-lock method may also be available. If verification fails, Samsung directs users to support or service.
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A Samsung account password may also be required to complete an in-settings factory reset when an account is signed in.
Decrypt an encrypted microSD card first
If your microSD card is encrypted, Samsung warns that the phone will not be able to read it after the reset unless it is decrypted beforehand. If applicable, search Settings for Decrypt SD card and follow the prompts before erasing the phone.
Understand what Smart Switch may not transfer
Samsung lists categories such as contacts, schedules, messages, photos, videos, music, and documents among Smart Switch transfer options. Available categories can include some Galaxy-specific content and app data, but transfer support varies: DRM-protected content cannot be transferred, and device manufacturer or operating-system restrictions can limit certain items. Do not treat a Smart Switch restore as a guaranteed exact clone of the old phone.
For version-specific steps, Samsung’s UK guide, How do I backup and restore data on my Galaxy device?, gives detailed instructions for Android 12 and notes that steps differ by operating system. Samsung’s Smart Switch transfer and backup guide describes supported categories and transfer limitations.
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