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How to format a Samsung phone? How to reset data (hard reset, factory reset) on Samsung Galaxy Formatting a Samsung phone

When Android smartphone It starts to glitch terribly, work slowly, turn off, the fastest and most convenient solution to many problems is to format the android.

Most likely, you know that you can format your Android (other names: reset to factory settings, do a hard reset) through the main menu of your smartphone and recovery mode. But if none of these methods helped you, then you need to format your Android via a computer.

The Android developer software (SDK) includes useful tools that will allow you to format your android through your computer.

Format Android via computer:

Step 1. Download and install the Android SDK. How to do this? Read in.

Step 2. Click Windows button+ R on your keyboard to open the Run application. After this, you need to type cmd to go to the command line.

Step 3. Now you need to specify the path to the folder that contains Android Debug Bridge or ADB. You can do this using the "CD" command.

If you installed the SDK according to our instructions, then the folder containing the ADB system is located at the following address: C:\Android\Android-SDK\Platform-Tools.

Please note that your path to the ADB system may be different, so you need to check for the Adb.exe file in your SDK folder.

Step 4. Connect your Android smartphone to your computer via a USB cable. When formatting Android, it is recommended to disable everything USB devices, which are connected to a computer, except the Android smartphone itself.

Step 5. Enter the following command:

adb shell recovery —wipe_data

After this, your Android smartphone will be formatted. This will return the phone to factory settings.

If you were unable to format Android via a computer, or this method did not return your smartphone to working condition, there may be a hardware problem. In this case, you must take the mobile device to a service center.

We hope that our instructions on how to format Android via a computer helped you.

Articles and Lifehacks

One of the questions that often arises among Samsung owners is how to format the phone? Formatting – clearing the device of all information and returning all settings made to the original settings.

When is formatting needed?

  • During operation, any device accumulates small inaccuracies in algorithms, deviations and other troubles. After some time, the number of errors will become such that the phone will not be able to work productively.
  • In addition, mechanical damage may cause urgent measures (the device fell into water or onto a magnet and other external influences). And then you will need to make an effective decision.
  • The device that fails will need to be formatted. First you need to determine whether you need to format the memory card. If there is no need to format it, then you need to immediately remove the card from the device.
Devices made by different manufacturers are formatted differently. Earlier models can only be returned to their original settings in a specialized center using special equipment.

Nokia phones and smartphones are formatted by entering the combination *#7780#. This will return to factory settings, and personal information on the phone will remain intact.

Formatting Instructions


The instructions for formatting a Samsung phone differ slightly from the instructions for Nokia.
  • To format a Samsung phone, you need to enter another master reset code, namely: a combination of numbers and characters *2767*3855#, and then press enter.
  • Once the process is complete, all downloaded device owner information will be completely deleted, leaving only the standard content installed at the factory.
  • Due to any erroneous operations, your Samsung phone may not turn on. Format this device difficult because there are no combinations of buttons that perform hard reset.
  • In such a case, you need to try pressing the “Volume” + “Power” + “Menu” + “Camera” buttons and enter the phone password “12345”. After these steps, formatting will begin.
  • Throughout the entire process, the device must be turned on and battery fully charged. If the formatting process is interrupted, the internal memory of the device may fail, and, consequently, the entire phone as well.

Alexander Grishin


Samsung smartphone, like any other smart technology, over time it may begin to work worse than usual. This manifests itself in slow performance, freezes, application glitches, or the inability to turn the phone on or off. Such problems are unpleasant, but, in most cases, can be solved by formatting.

Important! Before formatting, save all data to another medium in case the process goes wrong and the information is deleted. Also create a system backup using the appropriate phone function and charge your device to 100%.

During formatting, it is forbidden to press any buttons on the phone so as not to disrupt the process. Upon completion, your Samsung Galaxy It may freeze for several minutes until it completely stabilizes its operation.

There are three main ways to format a Samsung phone:

Formatting via the “Settings” menu

Go to settings, select the item "Confidentiality", in the menu that appears, click on "Reset settings", then in the window that appears, confirm the start of the process. During deletion, all phone memory will be cleared, except for files operating system.

Formatting from the boot menu

This method is a solution to the issue of Samsung phone not turning on/freezing.

With the phone turned off, press the power button simultaneously with the volume up button and hold until vibration appears. Thus we will end up in system menu devices. Using the volume control to move between items, stop at “Wipe data/factory reset”, press the “Power” button to confirm the start of the formatting process.

Formatting by entering a code

The Samsung Galaxy phone, like all other models of this brand, has a built-in function to start formatting by entering the code *2767*3855#. An alternative option is to hold down the volume, menu and power buttons, and enter the password 12345 in the window that appears. After these steps, the process of clearing all data to factory settings will begin.

If you have questions about formatting Sams phones, please ask them in the comments.

Formatting the memory of any digital device with Android means annihilation (deletion) of all data from the device, except for operating system files. This procedure can be very useful in some cases when it is necessary to destroy a large amount of data in a minimum period of time.

Formatting can be done in several ways: directly through Android settings (depending on different OS versions and smartphone models, the specifics of this operation will vary); through special utilities that are pre-installed on the device; via Recovery-mode and via a computer. How are these methods different? Theoretically, it is easier to delete all data through the standard “Android” menu.

But what if the device doesn’t turn on using standard methods and it’s impossible to go into the settings? This is where Recovery-mode is needed: with it you go to the smartphone control point, bypassing standard means systems. You can format without resorting to Android using personal computer, but only if you have Windows XP or an OLDER version installed. The fact is that file managers in new Windows see the Android OS as such, but cannot format it. This rule does not apply to memory cards: they can be formatted on any device.

In what cases should you format your Android phone?

The first and most common scenario– the device lags a lot. You have already tried different RAM and RAM memory cleaners such as CCLeaner and Clean Master, but the phone is still terribly slow. Then formatting is the only way out.
Second scenario– your smartphone has picked up a virus that has bypassed all security measures and is now “mastering” the system. Here it is better to use formatting via Recovery-mode.
Third scenario– you want to sell your smartphone. To do this, you need to erase all data from it so that the phone looks like new.
Fourth scenario Regarding memory cards: you need a blank flash card to use it in the card reader. In this case, formatting is best done through a personal computer.

If we are talking about formatting the system itself, then the best program is HDD Low Level Format Tool. From its name it is clear that it resorts to low-level formatting, that is, to the annihilation of data by bypassing the system. It should be used on computers running Windows XP or OLDER. Here we remember the first point: this is due to the fact that new Windows cannot format the smartphone’s memory. The problem with this operation is that when using this utility, ALL data is destroyed, including Android OS files.


As a result, after formatting you get a “brick”: a smartphone that does not turn on. This method is worth using if you know how to then install the operating system on the device from scratch.

How to format Android using system tools

How to format an Android phone through the system without using third-party utilities? It’s simple: go to “Settings”, where from the list of items that appear
Click on “Privacy”. In the submenu that pops up, click on “Reset settings”. In this case, all user data will be destroyed. The system warns him about this by showing a corresponding message. Tip: Before resetting, copy all files to a USB flash drive or MisroSD.

What if there is a virus in your smartphone that prohibits formatting? Then we go to the service menu of the device via Recovery-mode: simultaneously press the on/off button of the smartphone and the volume rocker in the “Up” position. A robot will appear on the display and disappear after a few seconds. Then you need to select “Wipe data/factory reset”. Touch controls are not available in Recovery-mode, so you need to navigate through items using the volume rocker (plays the role of a navigation joystick) and the power button (plays the role of the “Enter” key). After confirmation, the device will freeze briefly during the formatting process.

Important: At this time, under no circumstances should you press the buttons on your Android device: this will cause problems during operation.

It is better to format memory cards for Android in the NTFS format: the system works faster with it, and it will also be able to detect files larger than 4 GB. Other formats, such as FAT32, can be used for flash drives smaller than 4 GB. The HDD Low Level Format Tool formats the device in NTFS.

The nuances of formatting phones for Android from Samsung, lg, htc, Lenovo, sony

How to format Android smartphones from well-known manufacturers? The location of the “Reset settings” item may vary on different devices.
Yes, at Samsung it is not located in the “Privacy” tab, but in “Backup and reset”. The rules for entering Recovery-mode for Samsung also differ from the generally accepted ones. To enter the Samsung service menu, you need to simultaneously hold down the “Power”, “Home” (central) buttons and the top volume rocker.

At LG“Reset settings” is located in the “ tab Backup and reset”, and to enter Recovery-mode on the virtual keyboard we dial the combination 3845#*model number#.

If the device starts to work very slowly, turns off spontaneously, or freezes, then it’s time to format it. Major cleaning of ordinary mobile phones was practiced long before the invention of smartphones with touch screens and it consisted of introducing special codes. Each code is unique and developed individually for a particular model of mobile device. You can find out combinations of numbers for formatting your phone on specialized forums.


It should always be remembered that manual intervention in the work mobile technology- this is a personal decision of the phone owner, for the consequences of which no one except him is responsible. If you are not confident in your capabilities, it is better to leave the job to an experienced craftsman.

How to format a phone on Android

Formatting a phone on Android OS is much easier and safer than with outdated phone models. Since some models differ in terms of resetting the settings, some difficulties may arise. Before starting the operation, it is recommended to read the instructions for the phone to anticipate negative consequences.

How to clear memory on Andriod phone:

  1. Go to the menu, select “Settings” and go to the “Privacy” section (depending on the phone model, the path to the section may differ).
  2. In the menu that appears, click on the “Reset settings” function and wait for formatting to begin. During the process, all data about your Google account will be forcibly deleted from the phone’s memory, the settings of “native” applications will be cleared and brought to factory standards, and all applications you have installed will be erased. Formatting does not affect system programs.
  3. After clicking the “Reset settings” button, a warning about deleting data will appear on the screen. If you agree that the information will be permanently deleted, all you have to do is click “Erase everything” and wait for the process to complete.
  4. When formatting is complete, you will need to set the interface language and re-configure login to accounts. As a result, your phone's memory will be completely cleared of unnecessary programs and applications, preserving system data packages.


Helpful advice: after clicking the “Erase everything” button, the phone will “freeze” for a while (from 2 minutes to 15 minutes). You should not try to reboot it, press any buttons or even swipe your finger across the screen. Otherwise, Android may not be formatted correctly.

Today every schoolchild knows how to format Android, but for stable and long-term work it is not recommended to resort to this operation too often. To protect your phone and keep it “clean,” you should not get carried away with downloading all kinds of applications or take care of their timely removal using special utilities.

How to format Android and what is it for? Formatting an Android device - resetting all existing settings, returning the operating system to factory settings. Over time, any gadget begins to work slower, its performance drops, and it reboots on its own. This happens with both phones and tablets running the Android operating system. You can often hear recommendations to format Android. But first of all, you need to understand why the problems arose, and then format the device.

Why do gadgets start to work poorly?

During operation, any device accumulates small inaccuracies in algorithms, deviations and other troubles. After some time, the number of errors will become such that the phone will not be able to work productively. In addition, mechanical damage may cause urgent measures (the device fell into water or onto a magnet and other external influences). And then you will need to make an effective decision.

The device that fails will need to be formatted. First you need to determine whether you need to format the memory card. If there is no need to format it, then you need to immediately remove the card from the device.

Devices made by different manufacturers are formatted differently. Earlier models can only be returned to their original settings in a specialized center using special equipment. Nokia phones and smartphones are formatted by entering the combination *#7780#. This will return to factory settings, and personal information on the phone will remain intact.

Remember that it completely depends on the manufacturer and model of the device how to clear Samsung memory, how to format the phone.

Instructions: how to format a Samsung phone

The instructions for formatting a Samsung phone differ slightly from the instructions for Nokia. To format a Samsung phone, you need to enter another master reset code, namely: a combination of numbers and characters *2767*3855#, and then press enter. Once the process is complete, all downloaded device owner information will be completely deleted, leaving only the standard content installed at the factory. And the user will have to remember and restore other information.

Due to any erroneous operations, your Samsung phone may not turn on. It is difficult to format this device because there are no button combinations that perform a hard reset. In such a case, you need to try pressing the “Volume” + “Power” + “Menu” + “Camera” buttons and enter the phone password “12345”. After these steps, formatting will begin. The device must be turned on and the battery fully charged throughout the entire process. If the formatting process is interrupted, the internal memory of the device may fail, and, consequently, the entire phone as well.

Most often, formatting internal memory or external storage becomes the only effective way to solve problems with gadgets. Mobile phone is no exception. This is the last thing a smartphone owner can do on his own before contacting a service center. Therefore, every user needs to know how to format a phone.

Resetting a smartphone to factory settings is a painstaking process and requires special attention from the user. An unprepared and thoughtless action can lead to unpleasant consequences - loss of personal data (programs, contacts, SMS, photos, videos and much more). After formatting, there will be no trace of its use left in the phone’s memory, as if the device had just been purchased in a store.

There are such ways to reset the memory of a smartphone:

  1. Through the settings on your phone.
  2. Through Recovery Mode.
  3. Using a Google account.

Before you click the “Reset phone settings” button, you need to think about the security of your personal data.

Preparing to format your phone

The memory cleaning process takes on average up to 5 minutes. It will take more time to save photos, videos and contacts to your computer or any storage device.

To save information, use one of the following methods:

  1. Connect your phone to your computer and transfer photos and videos through Explorer.
  2. Use a backup app.
  3. Upload documents and contacts to cloud storage.

Attention: starting from Android 5.1, after a factory reset, you need to enter the Google account information that the user used on the device to be formatted.

Formatting memory using the Reset and Recovery section

The easiest way is to reset internal memory on a smartphone – go to the “Reset and Recovery” section.

To clean your Android phone you need to:

  • enter settings. To do this, click on the “Settings” shortcut in the application menu;
  • select the “Restore and reset” section;
  • Click on the bottommost item “Reset settings”;
  • confirm your intention to erase data on the device by clicking on the “Reset phone settings” button. A notification will appear on the screen indicating what exactly will be deleted from the phone. Particular attention should be paid to accounts that were used on the device (it is possible to write down logins before deleting social networks, email).

If the user blocked the device using any available method ( graphic key, fingerprint, etc.), then he will need to confirm the deletion, for example, enter a pattern key.

This formatting option does not always give the desired result. For a variety of reasons (for example, stopping important processes), the Android OS may freeze and not respond at all when the user presses the “Reset settings” button. In this case, you should resort to another method of restoring the device to factory settings - formatting through the Recovery Mode boot mode. Using this method, you can perform the process of erasing information without going into the settings.

Note: Resetting to factory settings using the Recovery menu is the best option solving the problem associated with the inability to “bypass” the gadget’s screen lock (for example, if you forgot your password).

Formatting an Android Device Using Recovery Mode

To enter the Recovery menu, use the phone's mechanical buttons - you need to press and hold the power (on) and volume up buttons. The exception is tablets and smartphones of the Samsung brand, on which, in addition to the volume and power buttons, you need to hold down the “Home” button. Before logging into Recovery, you must turn off the device.

Important: this procedure, unlike flashing, is absolutely safe and does not constitute a violation of warranty obligations on the part of the user.

In order to clear the gadget’s memory using buttons, you need to do the following:

How to delete data on your phone using your Google account

Another way to delete all data from a smartphone, even if it is locked, is to format it using a Google account.

Login Google account can be done through a computer or any other device. But to delete information in this way, the user must consider the following:

To format the internal memory of an Android phone, you need to follow these steps:

  • log into your Google account;
  • select the “Google Applications” section;
  • click on the “My Account” item;
  • follow the “Get Started” link in the “Phone Search” section;
  • select the model of the gadget on which you want to erase data (only if the same account entered on several phones);
  • enter your username and password again;
  • select “Delete all data from device”;
  • We confirm the deletion, i.e. we format the smartphone’s memory.

The advantage of this formatting option is that, if the conditions are met, you can clear the gadget’s memory from a distance. This is relevant when you lose your smartphone (you don’t have to worry about the confidentiality of your photos and videos). Additionally, using this service you can unlock or block the device.

Formatting will most often help in solving problems with an Android device, except if it does not turn on.