How to factory reset your Samsung Galaxy smartphone or tablet

Factory resetting isn't something that Galaxy smartphone and tablet owners do very often — or at all. But situations exist when you may need to perform a clean factory reset, such as when you are about to trade or sell your device.

The preferred method of factory resetting a Galaxy phone or tablet that won't change ownership is through Recovery Mode, as it doesn't remove your Google accounts entirely.

However, this ‘pro' can become a ‘con' if you plan to sell or trade your device. In the latter cases, it's best to factory reset your device through the Settings app rather than via Recovery. This way, you remove all traces of you ever using the phone, including your Google and Samsung accounts.

How to factory reset your Galaxy smartphone or tablet

Performing a clean factory reset on your Samsung Galaxy device requires only a few steps. It's not a complicated process, but be advised that you will lose all your data stored on the phone's memory. Data saved on the microSD card (assuming your Galaxy device has expandable storage) will not be affected by the factory reset. Regardless, it's advised to back up all your data before proceeding.

To factory reset your Galaxy phone or tablet:

Open the Settings app and then navigate to “General management”
Tap “Reset” and select the “Factory data reset” option
Review all the data that will be removed from your phone
When ready, scroll all the way down and tap “Reset” to confirm

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Mihai Matei - Senior Editor

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First Samsung device: SGH-A800

Mihai is a blogger and column writer at SamMobile. His first Samsung phone was an A800 which took a lot of beating, and a part of him still misses the novelty of the clamshell design. In his free time, he enjoys watching shows, documentaries, and stand-up comedy; listening to music, taking walks, and occasionally playing old(er) video games.

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