Are you planning to sell your Samsung phone, give it to a friend, or simply start fresh with a clean slate? Whatever the reason, performing a factory reset is often the go-to solution to wipe out all data and restore the phone to its original settings. But, have you ever wondered, does a factory reset really delete everything on your Samsung phone? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of factory resets, exploring what happens to your data, apps, and settings when you press that “Reset” button.
Understanding Factory Reset
A factory reset, also known as a master reset, is a process that erases all data, settings, and applications on your Samsung phone, returning it to its original factory settings. This means that all your personal data, including contacts, messages, photos, videos, and apps, will be deleted, and the phone will be restored to its default settings.
But, what exactly happens during a factory reset? Here’s a breakdown:
- All user data, including apps, games, and files, is deleted from the phone’s internal storage.
- The phone’s operating system is restored to its original version, which may or may not be the latest version.
- All settings, including language, time zone, and Wi-Fi passwords, are reset to their default values.
- The phone’s internal storage is formatted, which means that all data is permanently erased.
Data That’s Deleted During a Factory Reset
When you perform a factory reset, the following data is deleted:
- Contacts: All contacts stored on the phone, including those synced from Google, Outlook, or other accounts.
- Messages: All SMS, MMS, and chat app messages are deleted.
- Photos and Videos: All media files stored on the phone’s internal storage or SD card are erased.
- Apps: All installed apps, including their data and settings, are removed.
- Games: All game data, including progress and saved games, is deleted.
- Settings: All customized settings, including language, time zone, and notification preferences, are reset to their default values.
- Accounts: All accounts, including Google, Facebook, and Samsung accounts, are removed.
Data That’s Not Deleted During a Factory Reset
While a factory reset deletes most of your phone’s data, some things remain untouched:
- SD Card Data: If you have an SD card inserted, the data on it will not be erased during a factory reset. However, if you’ve set your SD card as the default storage location for apps or data, that data will be deleted.
- SIM Card Data: Your SIM card and its contents, including phone numbers and SMS messages, are not affected by a factory reset.
- Google Account Data: If you’ve synced your Google account with your Samsung phone, your Google account data, including contacts, calendar events, and emails, will not be deleted.
What Happens to Your Apps and Data?
When you perform a factory reset, all installed apps are removed, including their data and settings. This means that you’ll lose all your app data, including:
- Game progress and saved games
- App settings and preferences
- Login credentials and passwords
- In-app purchases and subscriptions
However, if you’ve synced your apps with your Google account or other cloud services, you may be able to recover some of your app data. For example, if you’ve connected your Facebook account to your Samsung phone, your Facebook data will still be available on the Facebook server, and you can easily restore it by logging back into your Facebook account.
Reinstalling Apps and Restoring Data
After a factory reset, you’ll need to reinstall your apps from the Google Play Store or other app stores. If you’ve backed up your app data using Google’s built-in backup feature or other third-party backup apps, you may be able to restore some of your app data.
To restore app data on your Samsung phone:
- Go to the Google Play Store and reinstall the app.
- Open the app and log in with your account credentials.
- If prompted, allow the app to restore your backed-up data.
Keep in mind that not all apps support data restoration, and some may require you to start from scratch.
Preparing for a Factory Reset
Before performing a factory reset, it’s essential to prepare your Samsung phone to minimize data loss:
- Back up your data: Use Google’s built-in backup feature or third-party backup apps to save your contacts, messages, photos, and other important data.
- Remove your SIM card and SD card: Take out your SIM card and SD card to prevent any accidental deletion of data.
- Disable Reactivation Lock: If you’ve enabled Reactivation Lock, disable it to avoid locking your phone after the factory reset.
- Remove your Google account: Remove your Google account from your Samsung phone to prevent any data from being synced back to the phone after the factory reset.
Performing a Factory Reset on Your Samsung Phone
To perform a factory reset on your Samsung phone:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Scroll down and select “General management.”
- Tap “Reset” and then “Factory data reset.”
- Review the warning message and select “Reset device.”
- Enter your Samsung account password or PIN to confirm.
- Tap “Delete all” to start the factory reset process.
Alternatively, you can perform a factory reset using the recovery mode:
- Press and hold the Volume down and Power buttons simultaneously.
- Release the Power button but continue holding the Volume down button.
- Use the Volume down button to navigate to “Wipe data/factory reset” and press the Power button to select.
- Use the Volume down button to navigate to “Factory data reset” and press the Power button to select.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a factory reset on your Samsung phone deletes almost everything, including your apps, data, and settings. However, some data, such as SD card files and SIM card data, remain untouched. Before performing a factory reset, make sure to back up your important data and remove your SIM card and SD card to prevent any accidental deletion of data. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to safely perform a factory reset and restore your Samsung phone to its original settings.
What is a factory reset, and why do I need to perform it on my Samsung phone?
A factory reset, also known as a hard reset, is a process that restores your Samsung phone to its original factory settings. This means that all data, apps, and settings will be deleted, and your phone will be returned to its original state as if it were brand new. You may need to perform a factory reset if your phone is experiencing software issues, freezing, or if you’re selling or trading it in.
It’s essential to note that before performing a factory reset, you should always back up your important data, such as contacts, photos, and messages, to prevent losing them. You can use the built-in backup feature on your Samsung phone or use a third-party app to create a backup. Additionally, make sure to remove your SIM card and SD card before performing the reset.
Will a factory reset delete all my data, including photos, contacts, and apps?
Yes, a factory reset will delete all your data, including photos, contacts, apps, and settings. This is because the reset process erases all data stored on the device’s internal storage, which includes the operating system, apps, and user data. This means that all your personal data, including photos, videos, music, and documents, will be deleted and cannot be recovered.
However, as mentioned earlier, it’s crucial to back up your important data before performing a factory reset. You can restore your data from the backup after the reset is complete. Additionally, if you’re using cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud, your data may be synced with the cloud, and you can access it from there.
What about my SD card data? Will it be deleted during a factory reset?
No, a factory reset will not delete data stored on your SD card. The reset process only erases data on the device’s internal storage, not on the external SD card. This means that all data stored on the SD card, such as photos, videos, and documents, will remain intact after the reset. However, it’s still a good idea to remove the SD card before performing the reset to prevent any accidental deletion or corruption.
It’s worth noting that if you’re using the SD card as internal storage (adoptable storage), the data on the SD card may be affected during a factory reset. In this case, it’s best to backup your SD card data as well before performing the reset.
Can I restore my apps and data after a factory reset?
Yes, you can restore your apps and data after a factory reset. If you’ve backed up your data using the built-in backup feature or a third-party app, you can restore it from the backup. Additionally, if you’re using a Google account, your apps and data may be synced with the account, and you can restore them from the Google Play Store.
To restore your apps, simply sign in to your Google account on your Samsung phone after the reset, and you’ll be prompted to install your previously installed apps. You can also restore your data, such as contacts and messages, from the backup or the cloud.
Will a factory reset remove all malware and viruses from my Samsung phone?
Yes, a factory reset will remove all malware and viruses from your Samsung phone. The reset process erases all data, including malicious software, from the device’s internal storage. This means that all malware, viruses, and other unwanted software will be deleted, and your phone will be started from a clean slate.
However, it’s essential to ensure that your phone is updated with the latest software and security patches after the reset. Additionally, you should be cautious when installing apps and downloading files from the internet to prevent re-infection.
How do I perform a factory reset on my Samsung phone?
To perform a factory reset on your Samsung phone, go to the Settings app, select “General Management,” and then tap “Reset.” From there, select “Factory data reset” and follow the on-screen instructions. You may need to enter your PIN or password to confirm the reset.
Alternatively, you can perform a factory reset using the hardware keys. Press and hold the Volume down button, the Power button, and the Bixby button simultaneously until the Android recovery menu appears. From there, use the Volume down button to navigate to “Wipe data/factory reset” and press the Power button to select it.
Is it safe to sell or trade in my Samsung phone after a factory reset?
Yes, it is generally safe to sell or trade in your Samsung phone after a factory reset. The reset process deletes all your personal data, including contacts, photos, and messages, making it nearly impossible for anyone to recover them. However, it’s still a good idea to remove your SIM card and SD card, as well as perform a thorough wipe of the device’s internal storage.
Additionally, you should ensure that you’ve removed all your Google accounts and any other login credentials from the device before selling or trading it in. This will prevent the new owner from accessing your personal data or using your accounts without your permission.