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To factory reset a Samsung Galaxy phone you can access, back up anything you want to keep, then go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset. Review what will be erased, tap Reset, then Delete all, and enter any requested credentials. The phone restarts at its initial setup screen.
Choose Factory data reset, not Reset all settings: Samsung says the latter keeps your apps and personal data. Menu labels and layouts can vary by model and software version.
Before you erase your Galaxy phone
A factory data reset removes personal data stored on the phone. Samsung describes it as restoring the phone to factory settings and removing personal data. It is useful before handing a phone to someone else or when you want a fresh setup, but it is not a substitute for backing up files you need.
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Save photos, videos, documents, messages, and other information you want to retain. Samsung documents backing up and restoring with Google Drive and Smart Switch. Smart Switch can back up to a computer or supported external storage, but external-storage compatibility depends on the phone. Google Drive backup restoration is offered during setup after the reset.
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See Samsung’s backup and restore instructions for the available methods and device-specific details.
Check account credentials
Have your screen-lock credentials and Samsung account password available. Samsung may request the Samsung account password during the reset. After setup begins, Google Factory Reset Protection (FRP) may ask for the Google account previously registered on the device, particularly if you reset it using a method other than Settings.
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Handle removable storage separately
Do not assume a reset erases or prepares a removable memory card. Samsung US warns that an encrypted microSD card should be decrypted before the reset; otherwise, the device may not be able to read it afterward. Check the guide for your exact model and handle removable storage separately.
Factory reset from Settings
- Open Settings.
- Tap General management, then Reset.
- Tap Factory data reset and review the listed data and accounts.
- Tap Reset, then Delete all.
- Enter your lock-screen credentials or Samsung account password if prompted, and allow the phone to restart.
When it finishes, the phone displays the initial setup screen. Follow the prompts to set it up again or restore an available backup. Samsung notes that menu names and layouts vary with model and software version; if the path differs, consult the instructions for your Galaxy model.
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Choose an alternative only if Settings is unavailable
Hardware-button recovery and remote erase through SmartThings Find are alternatives described in Samsung support materials, but they are not universal routes. Availability depends on the model, device condition, connectivity, account access, and the instructions for your region.
| Method | When it may fit | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Settings reset | You can unlock and use the phone. | Back up needed data and have any requested account credentials available. |
| Hardware-button recovery | Settings is unavailable and the exact model’s Samsung instructions support this route. | Button combinations and recovery-menu labels differ by model. Account verification may still apply afterward. |
| SmartThings Find | You cannot use Settings and the device and account meet Samsung’s requirements for remote erase. | Check the regional support guide for eligibility and connectivity conditions; remote erase is not guaranteed to be available for every situation. |
For an alternative method, follow the official guide for your model and region: Samsung UK’s factory-reset guidance or Samsung France’s factory-reset guide. Samsung US also directs users who are locked out to its locked-device guidance. The France guide’s example screens show a Galaxy S24+ running Android 15 with One UI 7, so those screens should not be treated as universal.
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Common reset mistakes to avoid
- Choosing the wrong reset option: “Reset all settings” is not a factory data reset and does not erase apps or personal data.
- Starting without a backup: the reset removes personal data stored on the phone; restore options depend on what you backed up and the services you used.
- Assuming account checks disappear: a factory reset does not promise to bypass Samsung account requests or Google FRP verification.
- Following button instructions for another model: recovery steps and menu labels vary. Use model-specific instructions rather than guessing.
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