How to factory reset a Samsung Galaxy (and what to do first)

By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 4 steps · Published 6 October 2026

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

App

Settings

Path

Settings › General management › Reset › Factory data reset › Reset

Real screenshots

3 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

Step by step

1. Back up what you want to keep

   Back up photos, contacts and chats to your Google account, a computer or Samsung Smart Switch. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp have their own chat backup.

   Done

2. 

   Open Factory data reset

   Open Settings, General management, Reset and tap Factory data reset. The page lists everything that will be erased.

   Done

3. 

   Check the accounts

   The accounts on the phone are listed next. After the reset, Google's protection asks for the same Google account, so make sure you know its password. We blurred ours.

   Done

4. 

   Tap Reset

   At the bottom, under the list of apps that will be removed, tap Reset, then Delete all. Enter your screen lock and, if you use one, your Samsung account password. We did not tap it.

   Done

About this guide

A factory reset is for selling or giving away a phone, or as the very last fix. It cannot be undone, so back up photos, chats and contacts before you start. We only looked at these screens on our phone and changed nothing.

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with One UI 8.5 and Android 16, in Dark mode. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ.

Good to know

Selling the phone? Remove your Google and Samsung accounts in Settings, Accounts and backup first, so the next owner is not blocked by your account.

For a repair, Maintenance mode hides your data without erasing it.

In short: Back up, then Settings, General management, Reset, Factory data reset, Reset. Remove accounts first if you sell the phone.