6 Ways to Reset Samsung Galaxy Phones and Tablets (2024)

Table of Contents
Quick Steps Hard Reset (Factory Reset) Reset Without Erasing Data Soft Reset Force Restart Hard Reset in Recovery Mode Factory Reset Using a Code (Older Devices) Community Q&A Video Tips You Might Also Like Expert Interview References About This Article Is this article up to date?
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  • Telephones
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  • Cell Phone Maintenance

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A step-by-step guide to reset Samsung Galaxy phones or tablets

Co-authored byBrehima Traoreand Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: September 10, 2024Fact Checked

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  • Hard Reset (Factory Reset)
    • |
  • Reset Without Erasing Data
    • |
  • Soft Reset
    • |
  • Force Restart
    • |
  • Hard Reset in Recovery Mode
    • |
  • Factory Reset Using a Code (Older Devices)
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
    • |
  • Tips

When you need to reset a Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet, you can choose between a hard reset (factory reset) or a soft reset, depending on your needs. This wikiHow guide will teach you how to reset your Samsung mobile phone or tablet with expert tips from electronic repair expert Brehima Traore.

Quick Steps

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to General Management > Reset.
  3. Select Factory Data Reset to erase all data and apps.
  4. Tap Reset to confirm.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Hard Reset (Factory Reset)

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  1. 1

    Open the Settings app. If you want to completely erase everything on your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet, use this method. If you want to keep your data, follow our instructions on resetting without erasing data.

    • Traore notes that if you're having trouble with your Galaxy phone or tablet, such as random vibrations, try restarting the device before performing a factory reset.
    • If problems persist, or if you're planning to sell or give away your Samsung phone or tablet, back up your data before you continue—you'll lose all third-party apps and information during the reset.

  2. 2

    Tap General Management. It's about halfway down the menu.

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  3. 3

    Scroll down and tap Reset. Several options will appear.

  4. 4

    Scroll down and tap Factory data reset. It's at the bottom of the menu.

  5. 5

    Scroll down and tap Reset. You'll see this below the list of apps that will be deleted during the reset.[1]

  6. 6

    Enter your PIN and tap Continue. You'll be asked if you want to continue.

  7. 7

    Tap Delete all. Your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet will return to its original factory settings. When the process is complete, the phone will reboot and prompt you to set it up as new.

    • If you've added a Samsung Account to your device, you'll be prompted to enter your password prior to the reset.[2]

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Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Reset Without Erasing Data

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  1. 1

    Open the Settings app. Use this method to return your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet to its default settings but keep your data, including the apps you've installed.

    • This type of reset is a good troubleshooting step if you're having problems with your phone or tablet.

  2. 2

    Tap General Management. It's about halfway down the menu.

    See Also
    How to Recover a Forgotten Password on Samsung GalaxyComment récupérer mon identifiant et mon mot de passe de mon compte Samsung en cas d’oubli ?What can you do if you forgot the PIN, pattern or password of your Galaxy deviceCode PIN oublié : comment débloquer un smartphone Samsung Galaxy sans mot de passe ?

  3. 3

    Scroll down and tap Reset. Several options will appear.

  4. 4

    Tap Reset all settings. Unlike the factory reset option, this option preserves your security and language settings, accounts you're signed in to, app data, and other personal data.[3]

  5. 5

    Tap Reset to confirm. Your Samsung Galaxy will restart when the reset is complete.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Soft Reset

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  1. 1

    Press and hold the Volume Down and Side buttons at the same time. After a few seconds, you'll see some power options.[4]

    • On some models, you'll need to press and hold Volume Up and Power instead.
    • Use this method to restart your Samsung phone or tablet.

  2. 2

    Tap Restart to restart your Galaxy phone or tablet. Your device will now reboot.

    • If your Galaxy will not restart, jump to our instructions on force restarting.

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Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Force Restart

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  1. 1

    Press and hold the Volume Down and Side buttons until the device turns off. If your phone or tablet is frozen or unresponsive, you can use this method to restart it. After a few moments, the screen will go black, and you'll see the Samsung logo.

    • On some models, you'll need to press and hold Volume Up and Power instead.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Hard Reset in Recovery Mode

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  1. 1

    Turn off your device. If you cannot factory reset your Samsung phone or tablet from the Settings menu, you can do so from Recovery Mode.

    • Use this method if you need to factory reset your Samsung phone or tablet, but cannot do so from the Settings menu.

  2. 2

    Connect your Samsung phone or tablet to a computer. Use the USB cable that came with your device or one that is compatible.[5]

  3. 3

    Press the recovery mode buttons on your device. The buttons you'll need to press vary by model.

    • On the Note 10, Note20, S20, S21, Fold, Z Flip, press and hold the Volume Up + Home + Side buttons until you see the Samsung logo.
    • On some devices without a Home button (S8, S9, S10), press and hold the Volume Up + Bixby + Power buttons until the Samsung logo appears.
    • On devices with physical Home buttons, press and hold Volume Up + Home + Power at the same time until the Samsung logo appears.

  4. 4

    Choose Wipe Data/Factory Reset or Delete all user data. The option you will see varies by model.

    • Use the volume keys to navigate, and the Power button to select.

  5. 5

    Choose Yes, Delete All User Data or Factory data reset. After several minutes, the data wipe will complete, and your Samsung will reset to its original factory settings.

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Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Factory Reset Using a Code (Older Devices)

See Also
Comment retrouver un mot de passe oublié sur son Samsung Galaxy

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  1. 1

    Open the Phone app.

  2. 2

    Enter *2767*3855#.

  3. 3

    Wait for the reset to complete. This will factory reset some Samsung models.

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Community Q&A

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  • Question

    Does hard reset erase everything?

    6 Ways to Reset Samsung Galaxy Phones and Tablets (32)

    Community Answer

    Yes, it does; it puts your phone/tablet back to factory settings and erases all of your data.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 3Helpful 8

  • Question

    How do I turn off dark mode?

    6 Ways to Reset Samsung Galaxy Phones and Tablets (33)

    Community Answer

    You can do this in the settings app. In the "Display" section, there will be 2 settings; light and dark, There are additional settings for dark mode and also a way to change the brightness of the screen.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 3Helpful 3

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      Video

      Tips

      • The "Automatic Restore" will return all Google Play apps after a master or hard reset but not any unknown source apps.

        Thanks

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      Tips from our Readers 6 Ways to Reset Samsung Galaxy Phones and Tablets (34)

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

      • Remember to have your Gmail account and password ready after a factory reset. If you don't have them, you won't be able to get back in to your phone.
      • Plug your Samsung tablet or phone in before you reset it so you don't run out of battery power.

      Submit a Tip

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about mobile devices, check out our in-depth interview with Brehima Traore.

      About This Article

      6 Ways to Reset Samsung Galaxy Phones and Tablets (49)

      Co-authored by:

      Brehima Traore

      Electronic Repair Expert

      This article was co-authored by Brehima Traore and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Brehima Traore is an Electronic Repair Expert specializing in sharing information about smartphones. Brehima has a follower base of over 59,000 YouTube subscribers and over 150,000 followers on Instagram. His most popular videos highlight phone camera and screen replacement tips. This article has been viewed 210,204 times.

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      Co-authors: 13

      Updated: September 10, 2024

      Views:210,204

      Categories: Cell Phone Maintenance

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 210,204 times.

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