How to Wipe All Data on a Samsung Galaxy

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methods

1Using the Settings Menu

2Using the Recovery Mode

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Questions & Answers

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Article Summary

This How.com.vn teaches you how to perform a factory data reset on your device to delete all personal and application data, using a Samsung Galaxy.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Settings Menu

1. 
   1
   Open the App menu on your Samsung Galaxy. It's a menu of all the apps installed on your device.
2. 
   2
   Tap the

   

   icon on the menu. This is your Settings app. It will open your Settings menu.
3. 
   3
   Scroll down and tap Backup and reset. This option will open your phone's reset menu.

   • If you don't see this option on the Settings menu, look for General management. On some devices, the Reset option will be under this submenu.
4. 
   4
   Tap Factory data reset. This will open a new page.
5. 
   5
   Tap RESET DEVICE. This button will erase all your personal information and downloaded applications. You will have to confirm your action in a new page.

   • Consider backing up your data before you go through with a factory reset. You won't be able to recover your old data after a reset if it's not backed up.
6. 
   6
   Tap ERASE EVERYTHING. This button will confirm your action, and reset your device. A factory reset will wipe all your personal and application data.

   • On older versions of Android, this button may appear as Delete all.
   • Resetting your device may take a while. Your device will restart after the reset is complete.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using the Recovery Mode

1. 
   1
   Turn off your Samsung Galaxy. Your device must be turned off in order to access recovery mode in your boot menu.
2. 
   2
   Press and hold the Volume down, Home, and Power buttons at the same time. Your device will power up. Hold these buttons until you see the "Android system recovery" screen.

   • On some devices, you may have to press the Volume up button instead of Volume down.
3. 
   3
   Use the Volume up and down keys to select wipe data / factory reset. Navigate the recovery menu with your Volume keys, and select this option on the menu. It will perform a factory reset on your device, and wipe all your data.
4. 
   4
   Press the Power key. The Power key functions as the ↵ Enter button when you're on the recovery menu. It will select and enter the wipe data / factory reset option. You will have to confirm your action on the next page.
5. 
   5
   Select Yes -- delete all user data on the menu. Use your Volume keys to navigate the menu, and press the Power button to select this option. It will start a factory reset on your device. This will delete all your personal information and application data.

   • Resetting your device may take a while. Your device will restart after the reset is complete.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  Does the factory reset permanently erase all data or can it be recovered by another person for identity theft purposes?

  

  Gustavo Pichardo

  Community Answer

  The sim card is the very last ray of hop to identify the phone. If you or a person removes it and reset the phone and remove the SD card then the phone cannot be traced.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

  YesNo

  Not Helpful 1Helpful 2
• Question

  If I delete data to factory reset in one of my Androids, will there be any problem with Gmail, and other data linked with laptop and other Androids?

  

  Ahmed Fawser

  Community Answer

  No, it won't have any impact on your Gmail or other data stored in other devices.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

  YesNo

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• Question

  Is it possible for just anyone to wipe a SIM card of its data?

  

  Ahmed Fawser

  Community Answer

  SIM cards store only the data of contacts saved to the SIM card. So, if someone wanted to wipe the contacts, they'd need to be able to open Contacts app and delete the contacts the saved to the SIM card.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

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