How to Factory Reset a Samsung S6: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to wipe your trusty old Samsung Galaxy S6 clean? Whether you’re selling it, troubleshooting persistent issues, or simply starting fresh, a factory reset is often the best solution. It’s like giving your phone a digital bath, restoring it to its original, out-of-the-box condition. Here’s the straightforward answer to the burning question:

How to Factory Reset a Samsung S6? There are two primary methods: through the Settings menu (if your phone is functioning) and via Recovery Mode (if your phone is unresponsive or you’ve forgotten your PIN). We’ll cover both in detail below. But first, a HUGE warning: A factory reset will ERASE EVERYTHING on your phone’s internal storage. BACK UP YOUR DATA (photos, videos, contacts, etc.) before proceeding! Seriously, don’t skip this step.

Resetting Through the Settings Menu

This is the simplest method, assuming your phone is booting up normally and you can navigate the menus.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Battery Check: Ensure your Samsung S6 has at least 50% battery. This prevents interruptions during the reset process, which can potentially brick your device.

2. Navigate to Settings: Open the Settings app on your Galaxy S6. You’ll find it in the app drawer or by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon.

3. Find “General Management”: Scroll down in the Settings menu and look for “General Management”. This is where you’ll find the reset options.

4. Select “Reset”: Tap on “General Management,” and you’ll see a list of options. Choose “Reset“.

5. Choose “Factory Data Reset”: On the Reset screen, you’ll see several reset options. Select “Factory Data Reset“. Read the warning that appears. It reiterates that all your data will be erased.

6. Tap “Reset”: Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap the “Reset” button. You may need to confirm your PIN, pattern, or password.

7. Tap “Delete All”: Finally, tap the “Delete All” button to confirm the factory reset. Your phone will now begin the reset process. It will restart several times. Be patient; this can take several minutes.

8. Initial Setup: Once the reset is complete, your phone will restart to the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new. You’ll need to select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to your Google account.

Resetting Through Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

This method is your go-to option if your phone is frozen, won’t boot, or you’ve forgotten your lock screen credentials. It’s a bit more technical but still manageable.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Power Off: Ensure your Samsung S6 is completely powered off. If it’s frozen, you may need to perform a forced shutdown by pressing and holding the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously for about 10-15 seconds.

2. Enter Recovery Mode: This is where things get a little tricky. You need to press and hold a specific combination of buttons to boot into Recovery Mode. For the Samsung S6, it’s typically the Power button, Volume Up button, and Home button all at the same time. Press and hold all three buttons until you see the Samsung logo appear. Then, release the Power button but continue holding the Volume Up and Home buttons until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

3. Navigate with Volume Buttons: Once in Recovery Mode, you’ll see a text-based menu. Use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to navigate through the options.

4. Select “Wipe Data/Factory Reset”: Use the Volume Down button to highlight “wipe data/factory reset” and press the Power button to select it.

5. Confirm with “Yes”: You’ll be asked to confirm your decision. Use the Volume Down button to highlight “Yes — delete all user data” and press the Power button to confirm.

6. Wait for the Reset: The reset process will begin. This may take a few minutes. You’ll see progress messages on the screen.

7. Reboot System Now: Once the reset is complete, you’ll be back at the main Recovery Mode menu. Highlight “reboot system now” and press the Power button to restart your phone.

8. Initial Setup: Your phone will now restart to the initial setup screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about factory resetting your Samsung S6, designed to anticipate any further questions you might have.

1. Will a factory reset remove my operating system (OS)? No, a factory reset will not remove your operating system. It only removes your personal data, settings, and installed apps, returning the phone to its original software state.

2. Does a factory reset remove my Google account? Yes, a factory reset removes your Google account from the device. You will need to sign in again during the initial setup.

3. How long does a factory reset take? The process typically takes between 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the amount of data on your phone.

4. What should I do if my phone gets stuck during the factory reset process? If your phone gets stuck, try performing a forced reboot (Power and Volume Down buttons held simultaneously). If that doesn’t work, you may need to re-enter Recovery Mode and try the reset again. If issues persist, consult a professional repair service.

5. Will a factory reset fix a virus or malware infection? Yes, a factory reset can often remove viruses or malware infections, as it wipes the device clean. However, ensure the malware isn’t rooted in the core system files, which is rare but possible.

6. Can I reverse a factory reset? No, once a factory reset is complete, it cannot be reversed. That’s why backing up your data is crucial.

7. What’s the difference between a factory reset and a hard reset? Technically, a “hard reset” often refers to the process of resetting through Recovery Mode, while “factory reset” can refer to either method. The end result is the same: a return to the original factory settings.

8. Will a factory reset remove my SIM card lock (PIN)? No, a factory reset will not remove the SIM card lock (PIN). You will still need to enter your SIM card PIN after the reset if it’s enabled.

9. Is it safe to factory reset a phone with a broken screen? If you can still navigate the screen to perform the reset through the Settings menu, it’s safe. However, if you need to use Recovery Mode and the screen is too damaged to see or interact with the menu, it’s best to seek professional help.

10. Will a factory reset remove my data from cloud backups (Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, etc.)? No, a factory reset only affects the data stored on the phone itself. Your data in cloud backups will remain untouched.

11. I forgot my Google account password. Can I still factory reset my phone? Yes, you can still factory reset through Recovery Mode. However, after the reset, you will need to sign in with the Google account that was previously associated with the device. If you’ve forgotten the password and don’t have access to the recovery email or phone number, you may encounter a Factory Reset Protection (FRP) lock, which prevents unauthorized access. You’ll need to recover your Google account to bypass this lock.

12. My phone says “Custom Binary Blocked by FRP Lock” after a reset. What does that mean? This error indicates that Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is enabled and the phone is detecting an attempt to bypass it, often after flashing custom software or attempting unauthorized modifications. You will need to sign in with the Google account that was previously used on the phone to unlock it. If you bought the phone used and the previous owner didn’t remove their account, you’ll need to contact them to remove it, or seek help from a professional unlock service (but be cautious of scams).