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For a working Galaxy Watch4, reset it from Settings > General > Reset on the watch, or from Galaxy Wearable > Watch settings > General > Reset on its connected phone. Use Recovery only when the usual routes are unavailable or you need the recovery menu. Back up first: a factory reset erases personal data and restores default settings.
Choose the reset route that fits your situation
| Route | Where to start | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Watch settings | Settings > General > Reset | The watch responds to touch and you can use its menus. |
| Galaxy Wearable | Galaxy Wearable > Watch settings > General > Reset | The watch is connected to its paired phone. |
| Recovery mode | Reboot mode > Recovery | Ordinary settings access is unavailable or you need the recovery route. |
Samsung documents all three methods for its smart watches, including the Galaxy Watch4. Menu names and screens may vary with the watch, software version, phone, and carrier. Samsung’s reset instructions describe the supported routes.
Before you reset: back up what you can
Back up from the paired phone in Galaxy Wearable before starting. Samsung says supported Wear OS watch backup data can include preloaded app data and settings, installed-app lists, watch-face settings, and system settings. Music stored on the watch cannot be backed up. Samsung’s guidance warns: “Samsung is not responsible for any loss of data stored on the watch.” Samsung’s backup guidance explains the available backup and restore options.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Do not count on Recovery mode to create a backup. Samsung France’s Galaxy Watch4 guidance says an Android recovery-mode reset does not perform one; without a prior automatic backup, data will be lost. That guidance was last updated 18 February 2025. Samsung France’s Galaxy Watch4 reset article covers this limitation.
#1 Best Overall
- Rotating Bezel Navigation: Physical rotating bezel allows precise and intuitive control of apps and menus.
Reset from the watch’s settings
- On the watch, open Settings.
- Tap General, then Reset.
- Review the prompt and confirm the reset on screen.
This is the simplest route when the watch responds and its menus are accessible. The reset removes personal data and restores default settings.
Reset from Galaxy Wearable
- On the phone paired to the watch, open Galaxy Wearable.
- Tap Watch settings, then General.
- Tap Reset and confirm.
Use this route when the watch is connected to the phone and you prefer to start the reset in the companion app. If it is not connected, use the on-watch route if available.
Rank #2
- Rotating Bezel Navigation: Physical rotating bezel allows precise and intuitive control of apps and menus.
Use Recovery mode when normal access is unavailable
Samsung lists a Recovery menu for Galaxy Watch4, Watch5, and Watch6 series watches running Wear OS. Screen behavior and labels can vary by model, so follow the prompts shown on your watch.
- Enter Reboot mode and select Recovery.
- When Recovery starts, swipe down to Wipe data/factory reset and swipe right.
- Select Factory data reset and swipe right again.
- When the reset finishes, choose the reboot option.
Because Recovery does not create a backup, use it only after checking whether the data you need is backed up.
Rank #3
- Display: 1.2" (30.44mm) Circular Super AMOLED (396x396 pixels). Full Color Always On Display. Corning Gorilla Glass DX.
- Exynos W920 Dual Core 1.18GHz
- Sensor: Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor, Optical Heart Rate Sensor, Electrical heart sensor, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Sensor, Hall sensor
- Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz
- Wear OS Powered by Samsung. Compatible with Android 6.0 or higher
Do not confuse a restart with a factory reset
A force restart is for an unresponsive watch; it is not the data-erasing reset described above. On applicable models, Samsung’s troubleshooting method is to hold the Home/Power and Back keys together until “Rebooting…” appears. It restarts the device rather than restoring factory settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Prepare the watch before selling or gifting it
- Back up first, then reset the watch.
- After resetting, unpair the watch’s Bluetooth connection from the phone before handing it over.
- Samsung France recommends disabling the screen lock before sale or gifting so the next user can unlock the watch.
- If the watch has active LTE service, contact the carrier if needed to reactivate service after the reset.
For model identification, Samsung lists the Galaxy Watch4 44mm as model SM-R870. Samsung’s UK product support page identifies that model.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS: Galaxy Watch4 is the first smartwatch to off body composition data right on your wrist, On your own schedule, now you can get readings on body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, basal metabolic rate, and Body Mass Index.Supported Application:Heart Rate Monitor,Sleep Monitor,Fitness Tracker. Connectivity technology:LTE,Bluetooth,GPS. Wireless comm standard:Bluetooth
- BETTER SLEEP STARTS HERE: Wake up feeling refreshed and recharged with advanced sleep tracking; When you go to bed, your Galaxy Watch4 sleep tracker starts monitoring your sleep and SpO2 levels continuously
- BE SMART ABOUT YOUR HEART: Take care of your heart with accurate ECG monitoring and keep an eye on possible atrial fibrillation, a common form of irregular heart rhythm; Share personalized readings with your doctor using the Samsung Health Monitor app on your compatible Galaxy phone
- MAKE EVERY WORKOUT COUNT: Get the most out of every exercise session with advanced workout tracking that recognizes 6 popular activities, from running to rowing to swimming, automatically in just 3 minutes; Stay motivated by connecting to live coaching sessions via your smartphone or to dynamic Group Challenges with your friends
- GO THE EXTRA MILE: Improve your runs with advanced running coaching technology; VO2 Max readings assess your oxygen levels to manage and track your heart and lung endurance
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