WARNING! Master resetting your phone will result in the deletion of all personal data stored on the device’s internal memory, including contacts, ringtones, media files, downloaded content etc. In addition, all settings will be restored to factory values.

NOTE: Before resetting the phone, you can visit this thread for instructions on how you can back up data. You can also check this thread for instructions on how to restore data on the Galaxy A7.

Master Reset via Settings:

  1. Tap “Apps” on the home screen
  2. Open “Settings”
  3. Tap “Backup and reset” under “Personal”
  4. Optionally, turn on or off “Back up my data” and “Restore”
  5. Tap “Factory data reset” > “Reset device”
  6. If a lock screen is enabled, enter the necessary PIN / pattern / password to proceed
  7. Tap “Continue” > “Delete all” to confirm

Master Reset via Recovery:

NOTE: If the phone prevents you from resetting it via Settings, you can try resetting the device from the Recovery menu, which can be accessed by performing a combination of button presses:

  1. Make sure the phone is turned off
  2. Press and hold “Power”, “Home” and “Volume Up” simultaneously
  3. At the “Samsung” logo, release “Power”
  4. At the “Android” logo, release the other two buttons as well
  5. After a few moments the “Android system recovery” menu should appear
  6. From here, press “Volume down” repeatedly to navigate to, and highlight “Wipe data / factory reset”
  7. Press “Power” to select the highlighted option
  8. Highlight “Yes – delete all user data” and press “Power”
  9. Wait for the phone to reset, and press “Power” when prompted to “Reboot system now”

Update the OS:

NOTE: After a factory reset you should verify if new software versions are available for download. To do this:

  1. Open the apps drawer
  2. Launch “Settings” and scroll to “System”
  3. Tap “About device”
  4. Check if a new update is available for download, and if there is, follow the on-screen steps to install it


› See More: Samsung Galaxy A7: Master Reset and Update the OS