To factory reset a Samsung Galaxy phone, back up what you need, open Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset, and confirm with Reset and then Delete all. The reset removes personal data stored on the phone, and Samsung warns that this information may not be recoverable, so the backup matters more than the taps. Menu labels change between models and software versions. If yours differ, search Settings for “factory data reset” or check your model’s official Samsung support page.
Choose the least destructive reset that fixes your problem
Samsung’s reset menu offers several options, and they do not do the same thing. Samsung U.S. Support’s factory reset guidance (accessed October 2026) describes the following:
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| Option | What Samsung says it does | When it may fit |
|---|---|---|
| Reset all settings | Restores default settings without erasing apps, personal data, accounts, or downloaded-app settings. Samsung also lists security and language settings as preserved. | A settings problem where a full wipe is unnecessary. |
| Reset mobile network settings | Resets network settings without erasing apps or data. | A mobile network configuration issue. |
| Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings | Resets those settings. Saved connections and paired accessories may need to be reconnected. | A connectivity problem limited to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. |
| Factory data reset | Returns the phone to factory settings and removes personal data. | A full wipe for troubleshooting, or before handing the phone to someone else. |
Only the last row erases your data. Read the confirmation screen on your phone before tapping anything, because its wording is the final word for your model.
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Back up and prepare before you reset
A factory data reset removes photos, videos, documents, and other personal material from the phone. Move anything you want to keep first, and confirm the copy is complete before you start.
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Smart Switch
Samsung describes Smart Switch as the tool for backing up and transferring Galaxy data, and for restoring that data during initial setup. Samsung Spain’s backup guide (updated 2026-04-30) describes backup to a local or device destination, and to an external microSD card where the phone supports it. Destinations depend on the app version and your phone, so check what your app offers. In Samsung Gulf’s PC-based Smart Switch instructions (updated 2026-06-09), hidden files and Secure Folder files are not transferred, so do not assume a PC backup captures everything.
Cloud accounts
Samsung lists Google account backup and Samsung Cloud as backup options. Samsung Gulf’s back-up guide (updated 2026-07-01) says Google backup can cover photos, videos, and app data, while Samsung Cloud stores contacts, call logs, and app data. Coverage differs by account and region, so review the backup settings of each account and confirm that the latest backup finished.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- 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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Checks before you wipe
- The backup is recent, complete, and you can open it.
- The destination has enough free storage for everything you are backing up.
- The network connection is stable for the length of the backup.
- You have the correct Google and Samsung account login details at hand.
microSD cards
Samsung U.S. Support warns that an encrypted microSD card must be decrypted before you reset. Otherwise the phone may be unable to read the card afterward. Samsung Gulf’s guide to erasing personal data (updated 2026-06-09) says a reset does not erase data on the SD card, and recommends removing the card or formatting it separately when you prepare a phone for handoff. Because the regional guidance differs in scope, check the instructions for your model and do not assume the reset wipes removable storage.
Selling, giving away, or recycling
Samsung Gulf recommends backing up the phone and removing linked accounts before the reset. Removing the account helps prevent ownership-verification problems for the next owner. The account-removal steps are covered in the account section below.
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Factory reset step by step
This is the path in Samsung U.S. Support’s guidance. Samsung France’s example screenshots were taken on a Galaxy S24+ running Android 15 with One UI 7, and that page notes the location of options differs by model and Android version.
- Complete your backup and confirm it, as described above.
- Open Settings and tap General management.
- Tap Reset, then tap Factory data reset. Review the list of data and accounts shown on the screen.
- Tap Reset, then tap Delete all.
- Enter your device lock credentials if the phone asks for them. If a Samsung account is signed in, its password is required to complete the process.
- Wait for the phone to restart. It returns to the initial setup screen.
Samsung account, Google FRP, and sign-in
What Factory Reset Protection does
Google Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a security feature meant to protect a device that is lost or stolen. Samsung’s U.S. page says FRP is included on Android 5.1 (Lollipop) and later, and may require verifying the Google account that was previously registered on the phone. Samsung says FRP is triggered when a reset uses methods other than the Factory data reset option in Settings. On Android 9 and later, the previous screen lock can also be used to verify ownership.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- 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
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Samsung account password
Samsung’s U.S. page says a signed-in Samsung account password is required to finish a reset from Settings. Confirm you know it before you start, because the process cannot finish without it.
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Samsung France explains that a Google account can be removed through the account management section of Settings. That section’s name and location depend on your One UI and Android version, so follow the route shown for your model. If you are keeping the phone, make sure you know the credentials you will need to sign back in during setup.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
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When Settings is not an option
Remote erase with SmartThings Find or Samsung Find
Samsung France’s support page (updated 2026-06-25) documents erasing a phone remotely through SmartThings Find or Samsung Find. The listed prerequisites are that the phone is powered on, a Samsung account is already set up on it, mobile tracking is enabled, Google location access is granted, and the phone has an internet connection. Once the erase completes, the page says the device can no longer be managed through that find service. Availability and service names vary by region, so check the official page for your country.
Recovery-button reset
Samsung France also documents a reset using hardware buttons. Its instructions say to power the phone off, connect it to a computer by USB, and then hold a button combination. The combinations vary by model, so do not use a generic key sequence from another source. Follow only the official instructions for your exact device. A reset through recovery can lead to FRP verification when you set the phone up again.
Forgotten credentials
If you have forgotten your Google account credentials, or setup cannot be completed because of credentials tied to the phone, Samsung says to contact a Samsung service center for help. Samsung’s guidance does not support third-party bypass methods, so avoid them.
After the reset
When the phone reaches the initial setup screen, you can restore a Smart Switch backup during setup, as Samsung describes. For cloud backups, sign in with the same Google and Samsung accounts you used before the reset so the restore can find your data. If a restore does not bring back everything, check the backup’s coverage notes above before assuming the copy failed.
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