WARNING! Master resetting your smartphone will result in the deletion of all the personal files / data stored on your phone's internal memory. This includes downloaded content, custom ringtones, contacts, apps and photos. Data stored on the SD and SIM cards will not be affected.

NOTE: Before master resetting your smartphone you might want to back up your data. To learn how you can back up the data on the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active, follow this link. For a full guide on how to restore your files, visit this thread.

Master Resetting via the Settings Menu:

  1. While viewing the home screen, tap "Apps"
  2. Go to "Settings"
  3. Tap "Backup and reset" under "User and Backup"
  4. Optionally, clear the check boxes next to "Automatic restore" and "Backup my data"
  5. Tap "Factory data reset" > "Reset device"
  6. Assuming that your smartphone's lock screen feature is enabled, enter your password or PIN and tap "Continue"
  7. Tap "Delete all"

Master Resetting via Hardware Keys:

NOTE: Use this method of factory reset in case you are unable to reset your smartphone from the settings menu, as described above, or if your smartphone is unresponsive, it freezes, crashes etc. To perform a master reset via hardware keys (through the Recovery menu):

  1. Turn off your smartphone
  2. Press and hold the "Home", "Power" and "Volume Up" buttons at the same time
  3. Once the smartphone vibrates, release the "Power" button but keep holding the other keys
  4. After the "Android System Recovery" screen appears, release all hardware buttons
  5. From the recovery menu, press the "Volume down" button to navigate to and highlight "wipe data / factory reset"
  6. Press "Power" to select the highlighted option
  7. Use the volume rocker to navigate to "Yes -- delete all user data"
  8. Press "Power"
  9. Once the smartphone applies the factory reset, the "Reboot system now" message should be highlighted
  10. Press the "Power" button to reboot your device in normal mode



See More: Samsung Galaxy S5 Active: Master (Factory) Reset Your Smartphone