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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →To wipe a Samsung Galaxy S22, open Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset, tap Reset, and confirm Delete all. That is the documented route to erase personal data from the phone. Back up anything you want to keep first, because Samsung warns that personal information may not be recoverable once the reset finishes.
“Wipe” in Samsung’s own support material means a factory data reset. Other resets exist, and choosing the wrong one leaves your data in place. The sections below cover the steps, what to prepare, how account protections affect the result, and what to do if the phone’s Settings menu is not reachable.
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Before you start
A factory reset removes data from the phone’s internal storage, so check these items before you begin:
- Back up everything you need. Photos, videos, documents and other files you want to keep should be copied elsewhere first. Samsung’s US support page describes a factory reset as removing all personal data, and the same page warns that personal information may not be recoverable afterward.
- Know your screen-lock credential. The phone may ask for your PIN, pattern or password before it will start the reset.
- Know your Samsung account password if one is signed in. When a Samsung account is linked to the phone, the reset may ask for its password, and logging out of that account can require a network connection. Plan for Wi-Fi or mobile data to be available.
- Decrypt any encrypted microSD card. Samsung’s US page says an encrypted card must be decrypted before the reset, or the device will not be able to read that card’s data afterward.
Choose the right reset
Samsung’s Settings menu contains more than one reset option, and they do different things:
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- Factory data reset restores the phone to its factory state and removes personal data. This is the option for wiping the device.
- Reset all settings changes system settings back to defaults. Samsung’s guidance says it does not erase apps or personal data, so it is not a wipe.
If your goal is to hand the phone to someone else, sell it or give it away, use the factory data reset.
Erase the Galaxy S22 from Settings
This is the standard procedure. Menu names and layouts can differ by model and software version, so match the labels on your screen to the steps below.
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- Open Settings.
- Tap General management.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Factory data reset.
- Read the information screen. It lists what will be removed.
- Tap Reset.
- Enter the screen lock if prompted.
- If a Samsung account is signed in, enter its password when asked.
- Tap Delete all to confirm.
The phone then restarts and shows its initial setup screen. Stop at that screen if you are handing the device to someone else. Setting it up again will require that person’s own account details.
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Samsung explains that Google Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is designed to protect a device that is lost or stolen. The feature is the reason a reset can lead to an account check.
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- Reset from Settings: Samsung’s US guidance describes this route as the one that uses the standard account handling described above.
- Reset performed another way: After a reset outside Settings, such as through Recovery or a remote method, the phone may ask you to verify the Google account that was previously registered on it.
- Screen lock as verification: On devices running Android 9 or later, Samsung says the screen lock configured before the reset may be accepted as an ownership check.
A reset does not bypass this verification. If you do not know the previously registered Google account credentials, resolve that before you reset, or you may be locked out of the phone after the wipe.
If Settings is unavailable
If the phone will not open Settings, for example because the screen is unresponsive or the device is locked, Samsung documents two other routes.
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Recovery reset with device buttons
Samsung’s UK support material describes a reset performed from the Recovery menu, using a button combination on the phone. Button sequences differ between Samsung devices and can change with software updates. Before you press anything, confirm the current Samsung instructions for your exact model and software, rather than relying on a combination you saw for another phone. A Recovery reset is also an off-Settings route, so the FRP account verification described above applies.
Remote erase with SmartThings Find
Samsung’s French support material describes remote erasure through SmartThings Find (also called Samsung Find). The prerequisites are:
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- A Samsung account is configured on the phone.
- Tracking is enabled for the device.
- The phone is powered on.
- The phone has internet access and location access.
After a remote reset, the device can no longer be managed through SmartThings Find or Samsung Find. Remote erasure is useful when you cannot reach the phone, but it only works if the setup was done before the phone was lost. Regional versions of the service may differ, so check the page for your country.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Comparing the three routes
| Route | Needs access to Settings | Needs the phone online | Credentials you may need | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factory data reset from Settings | Yes | Only if logging out of a Samsung account | Screen lock; Samsung account password if signed in | Erases personal data; FRP verification may apply when setup restarts |
| Recovery reset (device buttons) | No | Not stated by the source | Google account previously registered, if FRP is triggered | Wipes the phone; the exact button sequence depends on model and software |
| Remote erase (SmartThings Find) | No | Yes; the phone must be powered on with internet and location access | Samsung account configured on the phone before the loss | Erases the phone; the device can no longer be managed through SmartThings Find or Samsung Find afterward |
Troubleshooting
- The reset asks for a password you do not have. Stop and recover the account first. Verification is part of the protection, and a reset cannot skip it.
- The microSD card is unreadable after the reset. The card was probably encrypted. Samsung’s US guidance says it must be decrypted before the reset.
- The menu labels differ from these steps. Samsung notes that layouts vary by model and software version, so use the current Samsung support page for your phone.
- The phone will not reach Settings. Use the Recovery route or, if the phone is lost, the remote erase route, but only if its prerequisites were met before the loss.
What to keep in mind
The factory data reset from Settings is the documented, complete path for wiping an S22 you still have. The two alternatives depend on prior setup, a working connection, or precise button sequences, and each can trigger the same Google account verification. Confirm the steps against Samsung’s support page for your exact model before you start.
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