WARNING! By master resetting your phone, all your personal data stored on the device’s internal memory, including media files, apps, contacts, downloaded content etc. will be deleted. In addition, all settings will be restored to factory values.

NOTE: Before resetting your phone, you can visit this thread for instructions on backing up data. For instructions on restoring data, you can visit this thread.

Master Reset via Settings:

1. Tap “Apps” on the home screen
2. Open “Settings”
3. Tap “Backup and reset” under “Personal”
4. Optionally, you can turn on “Restore” and “Back up my data”
5. Tap “Factory data reset” > “Reset device”
6. Assuming that your phone is protected by a lock screen, enter the required PIN / password / pattern to proceed
7. Tap “Continue” > “Delete all” to confirm

Master Reset via Recovery:

NOTE: If you are unable to reset the phone using the method above, you can try resetting it from the Recovery menu which you can access by performing a combination of button presses.

1. If necessary, turn off your phone
2. Press and hold “Power”, “Home” and “Volume Up” simultaneously
3. When the “Samsung” logo appears, release the “Power” key
4. At the Android screen, release “Volume down” and “Home” as well
5. From the “Android system recovery” menu, navigate to “Wipe data / factory reset” by pressing “Volume down” repeatedly
6. Press “Power” to confirm the highlighted option
7. Press “Volume down” to highlight “Yes – delete all user data”
8. Press “Power”

Check for OS Updates:

NOTE: After you factory reset your phone, it’s recommended to check if new software updates are available for download.

1. Open the apps drawer
2. Go to “Settings”
3. Scroll down to “System”
4. Tap “About device”
5. Verify if a new OS version is available, and if necessary, follow the on-screen prompts to download and install it