Forgetting the password on your Samsung Galaxy phone can be a frustrating experience. Whether it’s a forgotten PIN, pattern, or password, being locked out of your device means losing access to all your apps, messages, photos, and more. Fortunately, there’s a solution: a factory reset. This process will completely wipe your phone and restore it to its original factory settings — removing the lock screen password in the process.
However, before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand both the pros and the risks of doing a factory reset, especially when it comes to Samsung devices that are tied to Google and Samsung accounts. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, including a step-by-step tutorial on how to perform a hard reset using recovery mode.
What is a Factory Reset?
A factory reset (also called a hard reset) is a software restore that erases all the data from your device and returns it to its original, out-of-the-box state. This includes:
- Removing your Google or Samsung account
- Deleting all apps, media, and files
- Wiping system settings, passwords, and configurations
- Disabling any locks like PINs, patterns, or fingerprints
The reset is usually done through the phone’s settings menu. But if you’re locked out, you can perform it using Recovery Mode.
Important Things to Know Before Resetting
Before you proceed with a factory reset on your Samsung Galaxy, take note of these key considerations:
1. You Will Lose All Data
Factory resetting erases everything stored on the device, including:
- Photos, videos, and music
- Text messages and call logs
- App data and game progress
- Saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings
If your phone is locked, backing up the data isn’t possible unless you had automatic cloud sync enabled through Samsung Cloud or Google Drive.
2. Factory Reset Protection (FRP)
Samsung phones running Android 5.1 and higher include Factory Reset Protection. This is a security feature that requires you to sign in with the Google account that was previously synced on the device after the reset. Without those credentials, the phone will remain locked.
So, if you don’t know the Google account password or if you’re dealing with someone else’s phone, don’t reset until you’re sure you can sign in afterward.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Factory Reset Samsung Galaxy Using Recovery Mode
If you’re locked out and can’t access your phone’s settings, you can use Recovery Mode to perform a hard reset. Here’s how:
Step 1: Power Off the Phone
- Press and hold the Power button.
- Tap on Power Off or wait for the phone to shut down.
- If the screen is unresponsive, press and hold Power + Volume Down until the phone powers off.
Step 2: Boot into Recovery Mode
- Press and hold the Volume Up + Power (Side) Button at the same time.
- Continue holding both buttons until you see the Samsung logo, then release.
- The phone will enter Android Recovery Mode. You’ll see a black screen with yellow and blue text.
⚠️ Note: The key combination may vary slightly depending on your model. If the above doesn’t work, try Volume Up + Bixby + Power (for older models).
Step 3: Navigate the Recovery Menu
- Use the Volume Down key to scroll to Wipe data/factory reset.
- Press the Power button to select it.
Step 4: Confirm the Reset
- On the next screen, select Factory data reset using the Volume keys.
- Press the Power button to confirm.
- The reset process will begin immediately. It takes about 1–2 minutes.
Step 5: Reboot the System
- Once you see “Data wipe complete,” highlight Reboot system now.
- Press the Power button to restart your device.
Your Samsung Galaxy phone will now reboot and show the initial setup screen — just like when you first bought it.
After Reset: Google Account Sign-In (FRP Lock)
Once the reset is complete, you’ll be taken to the phone’s setup wizard. If Factory Reset Protection is enabled, the phone will ask for the Google account that was previously linked to it. This is a major security feature to protect your data if the phone is lost or stolen.
If you don’t remember the Google credentials:
- Try recovering your password from Google’s recovery page
- If the device is not yours, you’ll need the original owner to sign in
Without the correct account, you cannot proceed past this screen, and the phone will remain unusable.
What If You Still Can’t Access the Phone?
If the standard recovery mode method doesn’t work, or if you run into issues, here are a few alternative solutions:
1. Samsung’s Find My Mobile
If you have a Samsung account and Find My Mobile is enabled on the device, you can use it to unlock your phone remotely:
- Go to findmymobile.samsung.com
- Log in with your Samsung account
- Select your device
- Choose Unlock or Erase Data
This method avoids the hassle of Recovery Mode and helps retain some data if you choose to unlock rather than erase.
2. Google’s Find My Device
You can also erase your phone remotely via Google’s service, but you’ll still need the Google account afterward:
- Visit google.com/android/find
- Sign in with your Google account
- Select the locked device
- Choose Erase Device
Again, this triggers a factory reset, but FRP will still be active.
Pro Tips: Make Future Lockouts Easier to Handle
While forgetting your password can be stressful, there are steps you can take to avoid headaches next time:
- Enable biometrics: Fingerprint or face unlock reduces your reliance on remembering PINs
- Write down or store your password securely in a password manager
- Back up regularly to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud so you don’t lose data
- Keep FRP credentials updated: Make sure you remember the Google account associated with your phone
Final Thoughts
Being locked out of your Samsung Galaxy device can feel like a nightmare, but with the right tools and steps, you can recover your phone through a factory reset. Whether you use Recovery Mode, Samsung’s Find My Mobile, or Google’s Find My Device, the process is fairly straightforward — just be aware of Factory Reset Protection, which is designed to deter theft but can also lock out legitimate users who forget their credentials.
Always approach factory resets with caution. While they offer a clean slate, they also mean saying goodbye to your stored content unless you’ve taken steps to back it up beforehand. Hopefully, this guide helps you reset your Samsung device safely and effectively, and gets you back up and running quickly.