How to Reset a Samsung Galaxy S21: Your Comprehensive Guide

So, you need to reset your Samsung Galaxy S21. Perhaps it’s acting sluggish, you’re preparing to sell it, or you’re simply troubleshooting a persistent software glitch. Whatever the reason, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s cut to the chase and get your S21 back to a pristine state. There are two primary ways to reset your Samsung Galaxy S21: a soft reset (restart) and a hard reset (factory reset). We’ll cover both, with a heavy emphasis on the factory reset, since that’s often what people are truly seeking.

Performing a Hard Reset (Factory Reset) on Your Samsung Galaxy S21

A hard reset, also known as a factory reset, wipes all data from your phone and returns it to its original factory settings. This is the “nuclear option” and should be used with caution. Back up your data before proceeding, as this process is irreversible.

Step-by-Step Guide to Factory Resetting Your S21 (via Settings)

This method assumes you can still access your phone’s settings menu.

1. Back Up Your Data: Seriously, back it up. Use Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, or a computer to save your photos, videos, contacts, and other important files. This is non-negotiable.
2. Navigate to Settings: Open the Settings app on your Galaxy S21. Look for the gear icon on your home screen or app drawer.
3. Find General Management: Scroll down in the Settings menu and tap on “General management.” This section contains various settings related to the overall system management.
4. Select Reset: In the General management menu, tap on “Reset.” This will bring you to a dedicated reset options screen.
5. Choose Factory Data Reset: On the Reset screen, tap on “Factory data reset.” This is the crucial step. Make sure you’ve backed up your data before proceeding!
6. Review the Information: The next screen will display a list of all accounts you’re signed into and a warning about the data that will be erased. Review this carefully.
7. Tap Reset: Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap on the “Reset” button.
8. Enter Your PIN/Password/Pattern: You’ll be prompted to enter your screen lock credentials (PIN, password, or pattern) for security reasons.
9. Confirm and Erase All: Finally, tap on the “Erase all” button. This is the point of no return. Your phone will begin the reset process.
10. Wait Patiently: The phone will restart and begin the reset process. This can take several minutes. Do not interrupt the process by powering off the device.
11. Initial Setup: Once the reset is complete, your phone will reboot and you’ll be greeted with the initial setup screen, just like when you first bought the phone.

Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (When You Can’t Access Settings)

If your phone is frozen, stuck in a boot loop, or you can’t access the Settings menu, you can perform a hard reset through Recovery Mode.

1. Power Off Your Phone: Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down button simultaneously until the power menu appears. Tap “Power off.” If your phone is unresponsive, you may need to force a shutdown by pressing and holding the Power button and Volume Down button for about 10-20 seconds.
2. Enter Recovery Mode: Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Up button simultaneously. When the Samsung logo appears, release the Power button but continue holding the Volume Up button until the Android Recovery menu appears. This can be a little finicky, so be patient. You might need to try this several times.
3. Navigate Using Volume Buttons: In the Recovery Mode menu, use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to navigate up and down the options.
4. Select “Wipe data/factory reset”: Use the Volume Down button to highlight “Wipe data/factory reset” and then press the Power button to select it.
5. Confirm the Reset: You’ll be prompted to confirm your choice. Use the Volume Down button to highlight “Factory data reset” and then press the Power button to confirm.
6. Wait for the Process to Complete: The phone will begin the reset process. This may take a few minutes.
7. Reboot the System: Once the reset is complete, the Recovery Mode menu will reappear. Select “Reboot system now” using the Power button.
8. Initial Setup: Your phone will restart and you’ll be greeted with the initial setup screen.

Performing a Soft Reset (Restart) on Your Samsung Galaxy S21

A soft reset, or restart, is a simple way to resolve minor software glitches without erasing any data.

How to Restart Your Samsung Galaxy S21

1. Press and Hold: Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down button simultaneously for a few seconds.
2. Select Restart: The power menu will appear. Tap the “Restart” option. Your phone will automatically turn off and then back on.

Alternatively:

1. Swipe Down: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
2. Tap the Power Icon: You should see a power icon near the settings cog. Tap it.
3. Select Restart: Tap the “Restart” option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Resetting Your Samsung Galaxy S21

Here are some common questions and answers related to resetting your Samsung Galaxy S21:

1. What’s the difference between a soft reset and a hard reset? A soft reset (restart) simply reboots your phone, clearing temporary files and resolving minor glitches. It doesn’t erase any data. A hard reset (factory reset) wipes all data from your phone and restores it to its original factory settings.
2. Will a factory reset remove my Samsung account? Yes, a factory reset will remove your Samsung account, along with all other accounts associated with the phone.
3. Do I need to remove my SIM card before a factory reset? No, you don’t need to remove your SIM card. However, the factory reset will not erase the data stored on your SIM card (contacts, SMS messages, etc.).
4. How long does a factory reset take? The duration varies depending on the amount of data stored on your phone, but it typically takes between 5 and 15 minutes.
5. What happens if I interrupt a factory reset? Interrupting a factory reset can corrupt your phone’s operating system and render it unusable (bricked). It’s crucial to let the process complete uninterrupted.
6. Will a factory reset fix a virus on my S21? Yes, a factory reset will typically remove any viruses or malware that are installed on your phone. However, ensure you don’t restore from a backup that contains the infected files.
7. I forgot my PIN/password/pattern. Can I still factory reset my S21? Yes, you can factory reset your S21 through Recovery Mode as described above, even if you’ve forgotten your screen lock credentials.
8. Will a factory reset update my phone to the latest version of Android? No, a factory reset will not update your phone’s Android version. It will simply restore the software to the version that was installed when the phone was last updated. Check for updates through the Settings menu after the reset.
9. How do I back up my data before a factory reset? You can back up your data using Samsung Cloud (Settings > Accounts and backup > Samsung Cloud), Google Drive (Settings > Google > Backup), or by connecting your phone to a computer and transferring files manually.
10. My phone is frozen and won’t turn off. What should I do? Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down button simultaneously for about 10-20 seconds. This should force a shutdown. Then you can proceed with the Recovery Mode instructions.
11. After a factory reset, my phone is still running slowly. What can I do? After a factory reset, avoid immediately reinstalling all your apps. Start with essential apps and monitor performance. Some apps can cause performance issues. Also, ensure your operating system is up-to-date and clear the cache partition.
12. Will a factory reset fix a broken screen? No, a factory reset is a software solution and will not fix any hardware problems, such as a broken screen. You will need to have the screen repaired or replaced.

By following these instructions and FAQs, you should be able to successfully reset your Samsung Galaxy S21 and resolve most common software issues. Remember to always back up your data before performing a factory reset! Good luck!