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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallIn October 2024, an update to Samsung’s SmartThings app caused a limited number of older Galaxy devices running Android 12 to reboot continuously. Samsung said it suspended the update and directed affected owners to support. This was a specific, historical incident—not a general explanation for every Galaxy phone stuck restarting.
What happened with the SmartThings update?
On October 4, 2024, Samsung told Android Authority that a limited number of Galaxy smartphones running Android 12 were rebooting continuously during an update to the latest SmartThings app. A Samsung spokesperson said the company suspended the update after discovering the issue and was working on a resolution; Samsung advised affected customers to contact its Contact Center.
Samsung Canada’s related support entry also attributes repeated restarting to the SmartThings app. Samsung did not publish a numerical count or incident rate, so the affected population is known only as “a limited number.”
Which Galaxy models were affected?
The available lists differ, so it is important to distinguish Samsung Canada’s named models from devices described in news coverage as user-reported.
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| Source and list type | Models named |
|---|---|
| Samsung Canada support entry | Galaxy S10 series, Galaxy Note10 series, original Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Tab S6, and Galaxy A02, A21, A31, A41, A42, and A90. |
| Android Authority, reporting user reports | Galaxy S10 variants, Note10 variants, Galaxy M51, and Galaxy A90. |
The Galaxy M51 appears in Android Authority’s account of user reports, not Samsung Canada’s list. Neither list establishes that every unit of every named model was affected, or that other devices could not have unrelated reboot problems.
What should you do if your phone is caught in this loop?
If you suspect the October 2024 SmartThings incident
Use Samsung support or a Samsung service center rather than treating a factory reset as the first fix. Samsung’s incident-related guidance directs affected customers to service. Samsung Canada says its staff will try to preserve data, but warns that some repairs may require a complete factory reset. It also notes that repeated restarts may prevent a backup before service, so data preservation is not guaranteed.
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- 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.
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Samsung Canada described a one-time warranty allowance for repairs in the context of this incident. That is a Canadian support statement; it does not establish eligibility in other countries or confirm that the allowance remains available. Ask Samsung in your region about current service options and any applicable costs before proceeding.
If the cause is uncertain or the phone has a different reboot problem
Samsung’s general US boot-loop guidance is not a SmartThings-specific repair procedure. It suggests checking for physical damage, charging with a Samsung-certified charger, and using Safe mode to help determine whether a third-party app may be responsible. Menu labels and steps can vary by model and software version. If the phone will not boot normally after a failed update, Samsung’s failed-update guidance says service is needed to reflash the device.
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Should you factory-reset a Galaxy phone that keeps restarting?
Not as a first step when you suspect this incident. A factory reset removes personal data stored on the device, and it is not a guaranteed fix for a SmartThings-triggered boot loop. Samsung’s general guidance treats a reset as a last resort. If the phone can still be used and you are considering a reset for a different problem, make a backup first; an affected device may restart too often to allow one.
For the identified SmartThings incident, the practical trade-off is between asking Samsung for service—with a risk that a repair could require a reset—and attempting a reset yourself, which erases local data and may not resolve the cause. Neither outcome is guaranteed. If preserving data matters, contact Samsung before trying a wipe.
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- 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
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How to tell whether this is the SmartThings incident
- Timing and context: The incident described by Samsung occurred in October 2024 during an update to the latest SmartThings app.
- Android version: Samsung’s statement concerned a limited number of Galaxy smartphones running Android 12.
- Device match: Samsung Canada named the model families listed above; other models, including the M51, were reported by users in news coverage rather than included in that Canadian list.
- Different symptoms or timing: A boot loop by itself does not identify the cause. Physical damage, another app, or a failed update may need separate diagnosis.
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