How to do a hard reset on a samsung phone

As you use your Samsung Galaxy smartphone, Note, or Tab, you may find your device having problems with apps crashing or freezing, making weird noises or making no noise at all, not syncing with other devices, or not receiving and/or making calls. In these cases, you can reset your device to factory specs by performing a factory data reset within the Settings screen.

You may be in a more serious situation where your screen is blank, frozen, or won’t accept any of your finger (or S Pen) input. In that case, your only recourse is to perform a hard factory reset by using the device buttons to access the device’s firmware, which is the permanent software programmed into your device’s memory. 

Before You Reset Your Samsung

A factory reset deletes all information and data on your device including all apps, settings, music, photos, and videos. Before resetting, you'll need to backup your data.

If you have a Samsung device that’s running a version of Android that’s older than 7.0 (Nougat), here’s how to back up:

1. On the Home screen, tap Apps.

2. On the Apps screen, swipe to the page that contains the Settings icon (if necessary) and then tap Settings.

3. On the Settings screen, tap Back Up and Reset.

4. In the Backup and Restore section, tap Back Up My Data.

Even if you back up your data, you need your Google email address and password at the ready because, after the reset, your device will ask you to log into your Google account. What’s more, if you have a decryption key for your SD card, you‘ll need to know that key, too, so you can access the files stored on that card.

Back up Manually

If you didn’t set up automatic backup and you can still access your device, you can back up manually as follows:

1. Slide down the Quick Settings menu.

2. Tap Settings icon(gear).

3. On the Settings screen, swipe up in the category list until Accounts and backup displays, if necessary.

4. Tap Backup and restore.

5. In the Google Account section, tap Back Up My Data.

6. On the Back Up My Data screen, tap Off to turn backup on. Your device will then back up your data to Google automatically.

How to Factory Reset a Samsung Tablet or Phone

When you set up your device the first time, Android informed you it would automatically back up your data to your Google account. So, when you set up your device after the reset, you’ll be able to restore your apps and data. 

Here’s how to perform a factory data reset on your Samsung device. These instructions apply to all Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets, Galaxy S smartphones, and Galaxy Note phablets running Android 7.0 (Nougat) and 8.0 (Oreo).

1. Slide down the Quick Settings menu.

2. Tap the Settings icon (gear).

3. On the Settings screen, swipe up in the category list (if necessary) and tap General Management.

4. In the General Management screen, tap Reset.

5. In the Reset screen, tap Factory Data Reset.

6. In the Factory Data Reset screen, tap Reset or Reset Device, depending on the device you have.

7. Tap Delete All.

8. After a minute or two, you’ll see the Android Recovery screen. Press the Volume Down button until the Wipe data/factory reset option is selected.

9. Press the Power button.

10. In the warning screen, press the volume down button until the Yes option is highlighted.

11. Press the Power button.

12. After a few seconds, the Android Recovery screen reappears with the Reboot System Now option selected. Press the Power button to reboot your system.

Earlier Android Versions:

If you have a Samsung device running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or an earlier version, here’s how to perform a factory data reset:

1. On the Home screen, tap Apps.

2. On the Apps screen, swipe to the page that contains the Settings icon (if necessary) and then tap Settings.

3. On the Settings screen, tap Back Up and Reset.

4. On the Backup and Reset screen, tap Factory Data Reset.

5. On the Factory Data Reset screen, tap Reset Device.

6. Tap Delete All.

After your device resets, you'll see the Welcome screen and you can set up your device.

How to Perform a Hard Reset for Most Samsung Devices

These instructions apply to Samsung Galaxy S8 or higher (including the S8+, 20, S21, and S22 series), and Galaxy Note 8 or higher (including the Note 10 and Note 20). See the next section for instructions on older Samsung models.

Power down your device before initiating a hard reset by holding the Power button for 10 seconds. Now follow these steps to perform a hard reset:

1. Press the Power, Volume Up, and Bixby buttons simultaneously until the Samsung logo displays.

   Subsequent messages my appear such as, “Installing update” and “No command,” but you don’t have to do anything on these screens except continue waiting for the Android Recovery screen to appear.

2. On the Android Recovery screen, press the Volume Down button until the Wipe data/factory reset option is selected.

3. Press the Power button.

4. On the Warning screen, press the Volume Down button until the Yes option is highlighted.

5. Press the Power button.

6. After a few seconds, the Android Recovery screen reappears with the Reboot System Now option selected. Press the Power button to reboot your device.

Hard Reset Old Galaxy Tab, Galaxy S, or Galaxy Note

The steps for performing a hard reset on older Galaxy devices are slightly different than for newer Galaxy devices. After you power down your device by holding the Power button for 10 seconds, follow these steps:

1. Press the Power, Volume Up, and Home buttons at the same time. Messages my appear such as, “Installing update” and “No command,” but you don’t have to do anything on these screens except continue waiting for the Android Recovery screen to appear.

2. On the Android Recovery screen, press the Volume Down button until the Wipe data/factory reset option is selected.

3. Press the Power button.

4. On the warning screen, press the Volume Down button until the Yes option is highlighted.

5. Press the Power button.

6. After a few seconds, the Android Recovery screen reappears with the Reboot System Now option selected. Press the Power button to reboot your device.

Have a Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone? Here's how to reset a Galaxy S7.

What Happens if I Can't Reset?

If your device doesn’t boot, contact Samsung on its website for information or a live online chat, or by calling Samsung at 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864) from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday or from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time on weekends. The Samsung support team may ask you for permission to access your device to test it and determine if you need to mail it to them for repair.

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