How to Reset a Samsung Phone or Tablet: Quick & Easy Guide

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

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

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Hard Reset (Factory Reset)

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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.
It's about halfway down the menu.

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Several options will appear.
It's at the bottom of the menu.
You'll see this below the list of apps that will be deleted during the reset.^{[1]
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You'll be asked if you want to continue.
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
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.
It's about halfway down the menu.
Several options will appear.
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]
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Your Samsung Galaxy will restart when the reset is complete.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Soft Reset

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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]
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- 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
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.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Force Restart

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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
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.
Use the USB cable that came with your device or one that is compatible.^{[5]
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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
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.
After several minutes, the data wipe will complete, and your Samsung will reset to its original factory settings.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Factory Reset Using a Code (Older Devices)

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This will factory reset some Samsung models.

Community Q&A

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Question

Does hard reset erase everything?

Community Answer

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

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Question

How do I turn off dark mode?

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.

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Tips

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

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Tips from our Readers

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.

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