WARNING! When you factory reset yours smartphone, all data located on the phone’s internal memory will be deleted. This includes contacts, media files and ringtones, applications, downloaded content etc. Furthermore all settings will be restored to factory values. However, data located on the SD and SIM cards will not be affected.

NOTE: Before you factory reset your phone, you can visit this thread for instructions on how to back up and restore personal data on the Samsung device.

Factory Reset via Settings:

1. Open the apps drawer
2. Go to “Settings”
3. Scroll to “Personal” and tap “Backup and reset”
4. Optionally, enable or disable “Back up my data” and “Restore”
5. Tap “Factory data reset” > “Reset device”
6. In case your phone is protected by a lock screen, enter your password / PIN and tap “Continue” to proceed
7. Tap “Delete all” to confirm

Factory Reset via Recovery:

NOTE: In case your phone crashes, freezes, or otherwise prevents you from resetting it via Settings, alternatively you can try resetting the phone from the Android Recovery menu. To access Recovery:

1. Turn the phone OFF
2. Then press and hold “Power”, “Home” and “Volume Up” at the same time
3. At the “Samsung” logo, release “Power”
4. When the “Android” logo appears, release “Home” and “Volume Up” too
5. Navigate the Android System Recovery menu by pressing “Volume down” repeatedly
6. Navigate to and highlight “wipe data / factory reset”
7. Press “Power” to select the highlighted option
8. Press “Volume down” to highlight “Yes – delete all user data”
9. Press “Power” to confirm
10. After the device is reset, highlight “Reboot system now” and press “Power”

Check for OS Updates:

NOTE: After you finish resetting the phone, it’s recommended to check if new software updates are available for download.

1. Open “Settings”
2. Scroll to and tap “About device”
3. Verify if new updates are available. If applicable, follow the on-screen prompts to download and apply the update