How to Factory Reset Samsung Galaxy S7

This article explains how to factory reset (restore) the Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, and S7 Active, to remove all user settings, apps, and data.

How to Factory Reset the Samsung Galaxy S7

One of the more reliable ways to fix a slow phone, especially one that’s a few years old like the Samsung Galaxy S7, is to perform a factory reset. It erases user and app data and completely clears your phone, making the software as shiny and new as the day you got it.

While the process is straightforward, it does requires some technical know-how. Moreover, there are a couple of ways to factory reset the device. You can use the system settings or the Android Recovery mode.

Optional: Remove Your Accounts

If you are wiping your phone to sell it or trade it in, you’ll need to remove your accounts first, especially your Google account. Android includes a unique security feature called Factory Reset Protection (FRP). It is designed to prevent thieves and other nefarious actors from wiping your device without your consent to gain access.

Even after a factory reset, the phone will ask for the original account password. If you reset a phone without removing the saved accounts, you will see the following message on reboot:

“The device was reset. Sign in with a Google Account that was previously synced on this device.”

To prevent FRP and remove your accounts do the following:

1. Go to Settings > Lock Screen and Security and remove all security settings, including passwords, patterns, pins, and biometrics.

2. Open Settings > Accounts > Accounts and tap on an account in the list. Then choose Remove Account. You must do this for each major account on your device!

How to Factory Reset a Galaxy S7 From the Settings

The easiest way to factory reset your device is to use the Settings menu.

1. Go to Settings > General Management > Reset and then select Factory Data Reset.

   Note

   In older software versions (not updated) you must go to Settings > Backup and Reset > Factory Reset to find the Reset Device option.

2. Scroll down and review the content that will be erased. Here, you will also see accounts you're still signed into. Tap Reset at the bottom to start the wipe. If you have a security pin or pattern, you will be asked to enter it to confirm.

3. The phone will reboot and factory-restore the software and all settings. When it's ready, you'll need to set it all up again, just like you did when you first used it.

How Do I Factory Reset My Galaxy S7 With Buttons (Recovery Mode)?

If your Galaxy S7 will not boot correctly or if it’s stuck in a loop (continues to restart repeatedly), you will need to use the system recovery mode to reset the device.

To activate recovery mode, you will need to press several buttons at once. Here's how:

1. Make sure your Galaxy S7 is powered down. Then, press Power, Home, and Volume Up all at the same time. Keep holding them.

2. Continue holding all three buttons until you see Recovery Booting displayed at the top of the screen. You can let go after that message appears. Wait a moment until Recovery Mode is available.

3. You will see a list of text options. You can scroll down with Volume Down and up with Volume Up. Pressing Power will make a selection.

   Use Volume Down to scroll (down) until Wipe Data/Factory Reset is highlighted in blue, then press Power.

4. The phone will ask you to confirm, so press Volume Down to highlight Yes in blue and use Power to confirm. The process will start.

5. At the bottom of the screen, you will see status messages. When you see Data Wipe Complete, the process has finished. Use Power to select Reboot System Now and restart the device.

6. The Galaxy S7 should now be wiped clean and restored to factory settings.

How Do I Reset My Galaxy S7 Without a Password?

If you do not have a password set, you can use either one of the above methods to factory reset your device. The only difference, of course, is you don’t have to worry about resetting the password before doing it.