Table of Contents

How to Master Reset a Samsung Galaxy S7: A Comprehensive Guide

So, your beloved Samsung Galaxy S7 is acting up, huh? Sluggish performance, persistent glitches, or maybe you’re just prepping it for a new owner? A master reset, also known as a factory reset, is often the ultimate solution. It wipes your device clean, returning it to its original factory settings – essentially, it’s like giving your phone a fresh start. Let’s dive into how to perform this crucial operation.

The most straightforward way to master reset a Samsung Galaxy S7 is through the Settings menu. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Back Up Your Data: Before proceeding, this cannot be stressed enough! A master reset erases everything on your phone’s internal storage. Back up your photos, videos, contacts, documents, and anything else you want to keep using Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, or a computer.
Charge Your Phone: Ensure your phone has at least 50% battery to prevent interruptions during the reset process.
Navigate to Settings: Open the Settings app. This is usually represented by a gear icon.
Find General Management: Scroll down and tap on “General Management“.
Select Reset: Within General Management, tap on “Reset“.
Choose Factory Data Reset: You’ll see several reset options. Select “Factory Data Reset“. Double-check that you are selecting the correct option, as this will erase all data.
Review and Confirm: The screen will display a list of accounts and data that will be deleted. Scroll to the bottom and tap “Reset“.
Enter Your PIN/Password (If Applicable): You may be prompted to enter your PIN, pattern, or password for security reasons.
Erase Everything: Finally, tap “Delete All” to confirm the master reset.
Wait Patiently: Your phone will now begin the reset process. This can take several minutes. Do not interrupt the process by turning off the phone. It will automatically restart once the reset is complete.
Initial Setup: Once the phone restarts, you’ll be greeted with the initial setup screen, just like when you first bought the phone. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your phone, restore your backup, and reconnect to your accounts.

Alternative Method: Recovery Mode

Sometimes, you might be unable to access the Settings menu, perhaps because the phone is frozen, boot looping, or you’ve forgotten your screen lock. In these cases, you can perform a master reset using Recovery Mode. This involves using the physical buttons on your phone.

Power Off Your Phone: Completely power off your Samsung Galaxy S7. If it’s frozen, you might need to perform a force restart by holding the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the screen goes black.
Enter Recovery Mode: Press and hold the Power, Volume Up, and Home buttons simultaneously. Continue holding them until you see the Android Recovery screen.
Navigate Using Volume Buttons: Use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to navigate through the menu options.
Select “Wipe Data/Factory Reset”: Navigate to “wipe data/factory reset” using the Volume Down button, and then press the Power button to select it.
Confirm with “Yes”: Use the Volume Down button to highlight “Yes — delete all user data“, and then press the Power button to confirm.
Wait for the Reset to Complete: The reset process will begin. Wait for it to finish.
Reboot System Now: Once the reset is complete, you’ll be back in the Recovery Mode menu. The option “reboot system now” should be highlighted. Press the Power button to select it.
Initial Setup: Your phone will restart and begin the initial setup process. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding master resetting a Samsung Galaxy S7:

1. What exactly does a master reset do?

A master reset, or factory reset, restores your Samsung Galaxy S7 to its original factory settings. This means it erases all data including apps, photos, videos, contacts, messages, and settings. It’s like taking the phone back to the day you bought it, software-wise.

2. When should I perform a master reset?

You should consider a master reset when:

Your phone is experiencing persistent performance issues, such as lagging, freezing, or crashing apps.
You want to remove all personal data before selling or giving away your phone.
You’ve forgotten your screen lock PIN, pattern, or password, and alternative unlock methods aren’t working. Note: this might also require a Google Account verification after the reset.
You’re trying to resolve a software issue that can’t be fixed by other troubleshooting methods.

3. Will a master reset remove the operating system?

No, a master reset does not remove the operating system (Android). It only removes your personal data and settings. The phone will still have the version of Android that was installed on it. If you want to upgrade or downgrade the OS, you need to flash a new ROM, which is a more advanced procedure.

4. Does a master reset remove my Google account?

Yes, a master reset removes your Google account from the device. You will need to sign in again with your Google account after the reset is complete. However, be aware of Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which requires you to sign in with the last Google account that was used on the phone before the reset. If you don’t remember the credentials, you may be locked out of your device.

5. Can I undo a master reset?

No, you cannot undo a master reset. Once the reset is complete and the data has been erased, it’s gone. That’s why backing up your data before performing a master reset is critically important. There are data recovery services, but success is not guaranteed, and they can be costly.

6. How long does a master reset take?

The duration of a master reset can vary, but it typically takes between 5 to 15 minutes. The time depends on the amount of data stored on your phone. A phone with a lot of data will naturally take longer to reset.

7. Will a master reset fix a virus?

A master reset can often remove malware or viruses that are causing problems on your phone. By erasing all data and restoring the phone to its factory settings, the virus is typically eliminated. However, if the virus is deeply embedded in the system partition, a master reset might not completely remove it.

8. What is Factory Reset Protection (FRP), and how does it affect me?

Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a security feature designed to prevent unauthorized access to your device if it’s lost or stolen. After a master reset, you will be required to sign in with the Google account that was previously used on the device. If you don’t remember your Google account credentials, you might be locked out. Make sure you know your login details before performing a reset.

9. Can I perform a master reset if my phone is locked and I’ve forgotten the password?

Yes, you can perform a master reset using Recovery Mode even if you’ve forgotten your password. Follow the steps outlined in the “Alternative Method: Recovery Mode” section above. Keep in mind that FRP will still apply, so you’ll need the last Google account used on the device.

10. What should I do if I get stuck in a boot loop after a master reset?

A boot loop is when your phone repeatedly restarts without fully booting up. If this happens after a master reset, try the following:

Wipe Cache Partition: Boot into Recovery Mode and select “wipe cache partition“. This can sometimes resolve minor software glitches.
Perform Another Master Reset: Repeat the master reset process through Recovery Mode.
Flash Stock Firmware: If the above steps don’t work, you might need to flash the stock firmware using a computer and software like Odin. This is a more advanced process and should be done with caution.

11. Will a master reset delete everything from my SD card?

No, a master reset typically does not delete data from your SD card unless you specifically choose the option to format the SD card during the reset process. However, it’s always a good idea to remove the SD card before performing a master reset to be extra safe.

12. How do I backup my data before performing a master reset?

There are several ways to backup your data:

Samsung Cloud: Use Samsung Cloud to back up your contacts, calendar, photos, videos, and more. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Samsung Cloud > Back up data.
Google Drive: Backup your photos and videos to Google Photos and your contacts and other data to Google Drive.
Smart Switch (Computer): Use Samsung Smart Switch on your computer to create a full backup of your phone’s data to your computer.
Manual Backup: Manually copy important files, such as photos and documents, to your computer via USB cable.

By following these steps and understanding the potential implications, you can confidently perform a master reset on your Samsung Galaxy S7 and restore it to its optimal performance. Remember to always back up your data first!