How to Hard Reset a Samsung Phone - Complete Guide for All Models

How to Hard Reset any Samsung Phone

A hard reset is one of the most effective solutions to fix serious problems with your Samsung phone. Whether your device is frozen, unresponsive, or suffering from severe performance issues, a hard reset (also known as a factory reset) restores your device to its original state, clearing all apps, data, and customizations. In this guide, we will explain how to hard reset a Samsung phone step-by-step, discuss different methods, and highlight essential considerations to keep in mind before proceeding.

What is a Hard Reset and When Should You Use It?

A hard reset wipes your device’s internal storage and resets all system configurations to factory defaults. This resetting process wiping the slate clean, erases everything - all personal info, apps, photos, and files go bye-bye. While it’s an effective troubleshooting solution, it should be used cautiously, as there is no way to recover data once it’s deleted unless it’s backed up.

You should consider performing a hard reset in the following scenarios:

Your phone is not responding to touch or buttons.
The phone is stuck in a boot loop or frozen on the Samsung logo.
Performance has degraded significantly, and other fixes haven’t worked.
Preparing to sell or give away your phone to wipe all personal data.

Important Considerations Before a Hard Reset

Before you proceed with a hard reset, ensure that your data is safely backed up, as all your data will be erased. Here are the primary backup options for Samsung devices:

Samsung Cloud: Use the built-in cloud backup feature to store contacts, photos, messages, and app data.
Google Account: Sync your phone data with your Google account to restore it later.
Smart Switch: Samsung’s Smart Switch tool allows you to back up data to a PC or another Samsung device.

How to Hard Reset a Samsung Phone Through Settings

The simplest way to perform a hard reset is by using the Settings menu on your Samsung phone. When your device is grinding to a halt, freezing up, or struggling to get the job done, this method can help.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Open the Settings Menu:

From your home screen, swipe down from the top and tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Navigate to General Management:

Scroll down in the Settings menu and select General Management.

Select Factory Data Reset:

Tap on Reset and choose Factory Data Reset.

Review and Confirm:

A screen will appear listing all the data that will be deleted, including accounts, apps, and system settings.
Scroll down and tap Reset, then confirm by entering your device PIN or password.

Reset Process:

Your phone will now restart and begin the factory reset process. This can take a few minutes, depending on your device and the amount of data on it.

Reboot and Initial Setup:

After the reset, your phone will reboot and display the initial setup screen as if it were brand new. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device again.

How to Hard Reset a Samsung Phone Using Recovery Mode

If your device is unresponsive, frozen, or stuck on the Samsung logo, the Settings menu method may not work. In these cases, a hard reset using Recovery Mode is necessary. Bypass the normal screen prompts and get straight to business by using your phone’s hardware keys to initiate a full reset.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Recovery Mode Reset:

Turn Off the Phone:

Press and hold the Power button until the device turns off. If your phone is frozen, press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the screen goes black.

Enter Recovery Mode:

To enter Recovery Mode, press and hold the Volume Up button, the Power button, and the Bixby button (if your phone has one) all at the same time. Release the buttons when you see the Samsung logo or the recovery screen.

Navigate to Wipe Data/Factory Reset:

In Recovery Mode, use the Volume buttons to scroll and highlight Wipe Data/Factory Reset.
Press the Power button to select it.

Confirm the Reset:

Highlight Yes using the Volume buttons and press the Power button to confirm.

Reboot the Device:

Once the reset process is complete, you’ll return to the recovery menu. Select Reboot System Now and press the Power button to restart your device.

When to Use Recovery Mode for a Hard Reset:

Unresponsive Device: When the phone is completely unresponsive and cannot be turned off normally.
Boot Loop: If your device is stuck in a boot loop and cannot load the operating system.
Corrupted Software: When system files are corrupted, and standard troubleshooting methods have failed.

How to Perform a Hard Reset Using Find My Mobile

Samsung’s Find My Mobile service allows users to remotely reset their phone if it’s lost or stolen. Say goodbye to worrying about sensitive info getting into the wrong hands - this method lets you reset your device remotely, even if it’s no longer in your possession.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Find My Mobile:

Log into Find My Mobile:

Go to the Find My Mobile website and log in with your Samsung account credentials.

Select the Device:

Once logged in, you will see a list of Samsung devices registered under your account. Select the phone you want to reset.

Erase Data:

From the options on the left-hand side, click on Erase Data. This will initiate a factory reset on the device.

Confirm the Reset:

You’ll be prompted to confirm the action by entering your Samsung account password. Once confirmed, the phone will begin the reset process.

Note:

Your phone must be connected to the internet (either Wi-Fi or mobile data) for the Find My Mobile feature to work.
Remote controls must be enabled on your device beforehand.

What to Do After a Hard Reset

After performing a hard reset, your phone will be restored to its factory settings. Here are the steps you should take after the reset:

1. Restore Your Data:

Once the reset is complete and your phone reboots, you can restore the data you previously backed up. Depending on your backup method, this can include:

Samsung Cloud or Google Backup for contacts, photos, apps, and settings.
Smart Switch for transferring data from another device.

2. Reinstall Apps:

Reinstall the apps you need from the Google Play Store or the Galaxy Store. Some apps will automatically be restored from your backup, but others may need to be installed manually.

3. Reconfigure Settings:

Since all settings are reset to factory defaults, you’ll need to reconfigure your Wi-Fi settings, Bluetooth pairings, display preferences, and other system settings. This includes adjusting notifications, setting up fingerprint or facial recognition, and reconnecting to other services.

4. Perform System Updates:

Check for software updates to ensure your phone is running the latest version of Android and the most up-to-date security patches. To do this, go to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install.

Common Questions About Hard Resetting a Samsung Phone

1. Will a Hard Reset Remove Samsung Account and Google Account?

A hard reset will remove all accounts from the device, including your Samsung and Google accounts. After resetting, you will need to sign in with your credentials to access your apps and services.

2. Can I Recover Data After a Hard Reset?

No, once the reset is performed, all data is permanently erased from the device’s internal storage. If you didn’t back up your data beforehand, it cannot be recovered.

3. Will a Hard Reset Fix Performance Issues?

Yes, a hard reset can resolve most software-related performance issues by removing clutter, clearing cache, and wiping corrupted files. If your phone has slowed down due to software issues, a hard reset often improves performance.

4. Will a Hard Reset Affect My SIM Card?

A hard reset only affects your phone’s internal storage. Your SIM card and SD card data, such as contacts stored on the SIM or media files on the SD card, will remain untouched. However, we recommend removing your SD card before resetting to avoid any complications.

Conclusion

A hard reset is an essential tool for Samsung users experiencing persistent issues with their phones. Whether your phone is unresponsive, plagued by software glitches, or simply needs a fresh start, a hard reset restores your device to optimal performance. Need to start fresh with your Samsung device? Follow these steps to wipe the slate clean and get your phone running like new again, banishing glitches and pesky problems.

Remember to always back up your data before performing a reset, and consider the various methods available to you, from the Settings menu to Recovery Mode and Find My Mobile.

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