How to Factory Reset the Samsung Galaxy S3
25In this lesson we will show you how you can Factory Reset your Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone. It’s a fairly simple process that restores your S3 back to the default factory settings. But, before we get started, let’s go over what exactly happens when you do a Hard Reset (also known as Factory Reset) on your Galaxy S3 and also some of the reasons why you may or may not want to do it. After all, we don’t want you resetting your Android device back to default settings if it isn’t necessary!
What happens when you Factory Reset your Samsung Galaxy S3?
It erases all the data on your phone! It will wipe all the data off of the internal storage of the device and return it to the default factory settings. This means deleting the following from your device: your Google account, system and application data, custom settings, and downloaded applications. In addition, you can also choose to have your external storage (SD card) erased as well. After the Factory Reset is complete your phone will operate in the same way it did the first time you turned it on. You’ll have to re-install all of your data and applications back onto the device.
Why do a Hard Reset?
*Malfunctioning device (resetting the phone to original settings may fix numerous issues)
*Wipe personal data off before selling
*Returning it to manufacturer or retailer and want all personal data removed
What to do before a Factory Reset?
*Backup any important files to your PC or external storage. Not sure how to backup your stuff? Check out our other lesson on backing up your Android smartphone here: http://droidlessons.com/how-to-backup-your-android-device/
*Make sure your contacts are synced with your Gmail account
*Write down a list of apps you may want to reinstall. Although the Play Store does a pretty good job of keeping track of that for you in the “My Apps” section of the Play Store!
Now that we’ve got that out of the way… Below are the step-by-step instructions on How to Factory Reset your Samsung Galaxy S3.
Step-by-step Instructions:
1. Go to your main homescreen, Click on MENU button (bottom left)
2. Click Settings button
3. Scroll towards the bottom and click on “Backup and reset” option
4. Click on “Factory Data Reset”
5. Read warning and then click on “Reset Device” and then click on “Delete All” button to finalize the Hard Reset.
6. That’s it! Your phone will now restore back to factory settings, reboot, and provide you with a fresh start on that Galaxy S3.
Did this article help you out? Questions or issues? Please let us know by leaving a comment below!
John A
I'm a huge Android fan and also the founder of the DroidLessons website. I started obsessing about the Android platform as soon as I got my HTC EVO phone in mid-2010. Ever since then, I have been obsessed with learning all that I can about the Android OS and sharing that knowledge with my friends and family.
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So, does a factory reset like this do a bit by bit overwrite of the entire drive? Or will someone be able to recover data with something like Photorec?
Great question. No, a factory reset will only erase all user settings (things like home screen customizations, Wifi networks, sound settings and the like) and delete all apps downloaded from the Google Play store.
Hi, Just want to ask if I bought a second handed Samsung Galaxy S3 phone, after doing the factory data reset will all the tracking software from 1st owner can track me? I’m not so sure about this because as i know Samsung galaxy will have certain apps and samsungdive can trace the location by locking the IMEI Number….. Thanks and awaiting for prompt reply..
Yes, after the factory reset all the apps would be wiped!
I have a t-mobile galaxy s3. I recently received an update for the phone from t-mobile. after it was installed my battery life was seriously curtailed. if i do a factory reset for the phone will it cancel the upgrades contained in the update, and resolve the issues with battery life?
I have sgs3 from us cellular…. last night did software update to 4.1.1….I tried to run hotspot today and was told I now needed a subscription. I have had Samsung phones for about 3 years and I have never had this problem but I guess with the upgrade uscellular lock the hotspot option. I called and b*tched all day and got no where. How do I disable this lock. I already pay for 5gb and I’m not paying another $25 to access it.
You’ll want to research rooting your samsung galaxy s3 if you want to bypass that lock out. We have a lesson on this site for rooting the S3.
im just wondering if you reset your galaxy s3 will it wipe out the jelly bean update?
Nope! All updates will remain.
i have jelly bean update 4.1.1 if i do factory reset it will wipe out update and can factory reset fix freezing issue on phone please tell me
hi just a question since i am planning to sell my S3. will factory reset erase all pictures, videos and sms messages? or will it stay in the phone somewhere and can be recovered?
thanks!
Yes, it’ll wipe all your user data. But not the SD card. So either keep that before you sell it or when you do the factory reset, make sure you also select to wipe the external SD card.
Is it possible to do a hard reset on your phone if it has a password, say you forgot the password for example?
hi
will wiping my s3 remove my dictionary and words I added myself? can I avoid this?
I’ve been reading all of the comments about the factory reset, and I was wondering since it deletes all user data…will it delete things like pictures, videos, etc that are saved to the phone and not the SD card?
My daughter dropped her galaxy 3 phone in water about 6weeks ago. We placed the phone and battery in rice for 24 hours and the phone worked fine until now. The touch screen will not work the phone can be powered off and on, but nothing happens when you touch the screen. Do you have any suggestions to correct this problem? The phone has not been dropped or damaged in any other way. Thanks for your help.
Linda
When a phone gets wet, it cannot be totally dried inside. Rice works to absorb some of the moisture but eventually the mother board rusts and the device has to be replaced. The mother board itself cannot be replaced because the parts surrounding it have also been exposed to moisture.
Will it destroy or damage the unit if I reset my phone?
can a samsung galaxy s3 be tracked if i reset it
Thanks for being a resource. It was so obvious and easy…once you pointed it out
Hi, I was wondering if you can give me some advice, I rooted my phone then updated it to omega 4.2.2 jelly bean, I can no longer watch movies online streamig wise and was looking for the best course of action to get it back to the way it was? Also now rooted and updated my phone seems to increase in temperature as if its over heating, Any thoughts on that?
If I factory reset my s3 will I have to repurchase my apps
Thank’s sir.
Thanks, this helped immensely!
hi
thanks for this article
it work with me on galaxy s3 mini gt-i8190
thanks