For most Galaxy S24 reset options, start with Restart, then Reset network settings, then Reset all settings, and use Factory data reset only if you’re selling the phone or fixing stubborn software problems. Pick the wrong reset, and you can wipe photos, accounts, and app data you meant to keep. This guide matches each Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra reset option to the problem it fixes and the least destructive choice.
Galaxy S24 reset options: what the warning means
What “reset” means on Samsung phones
On a Galaxy S24, “reset” can mean four different things in the Reset menu under Settings > General Management > Reset. Some options touch only connectivity or preferences. Others wipe the device completely. That difference matters.
Factory Data Reset is the full reset option. It erases personal data, apps, and settings. The lighter options keep your files and accounts in place, but they can still clear saved network details or system preferences.
Which Galaxy S24 models this guide covers
This applies to the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra. The reset paths use Samsung’s Android settings structure on the S24 family, including the Android 14 / One UI 6 baseline referenced by Samsung’s guide.
📊 The guide covers the Galaxy S24 family, including three variants. Source: How To Factory Reset Samsung Galaxy S24 (Easy Guide!).
Which Galaxy S24 reset option fits your problem?
The fastest fix is often the least destructive one. If Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or hotspot acts up, reset network settings first. If icons, permissions, or sound settings feel off, try Reset all settings. Save Factory Data Reset for a sale, a serious software fault, or a phone that still fails after the lighter resets.
One-page reset decision table
| Symptom | Best reset option | What it erases | What it keeps | When to escalate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi won’t connect, Bluetooth pairs badly, hotspot fails | Reset network settings | Saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, mobile network settings, hotspot settings | Photos, apps, messages, files, Samsung account, Google account | Move to Factory Data Reset only if connectivity problems survive the network reset and a restart |
| Menus feel off after a setting change, but data is fine | Reset all settings | System preferences, display, sound, permissions-related preferences, and other device settings | Personal data, apps, photos, files, accounts | Use Factory Data Reset if the phone still misbehaves after settings are rebuilt |
| App defaults are wrong or permissions got tangled | Reset app preferences | Disabled apps, default apps, restricted notifications and background preferences | App data, photos, files, accounts | Escalate only if multiple apps keep crashing or a system reset does not help |
| Phone is being sold, traded in, or given away | Factory Data Reset | Personal data, apps, settings, accounts, downloaded content stored on the phone | Anything already saved to Samsung Cloud, Google, Smart Switch backup, or external storage | No escalation needed; this is the final wipe before transfer |
| Phone freezes, won’t respond, or won’t boot normally | Force restart first; Recovery Mode reset if needed | A force restart usually does not erase data. Recovery Mode factory reset wipes the device | Force restart keeps everything. Recovery Mode keeps only backed-up data | Use Recovery Mode when Settings is unavailable |
When to stop at a network or settings reset
Stop at Reset network settings if the problem is limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data, or hotspot behavior. Stop at Reset all settings if the phone still works, but system preferences seem broken. A common first-time mistake is jumping straight to a full wipe for a problem that only needs a smaller reset.
When Factory Data Reset is the right next step
Move to Factory Data Reset when you need a clean handoff, the phone keeps failing after an update, or multiple software problems return after lighter resets. It is also the correct choice if you are preparing to sell the device. It is not a hardware repair.
What should I back up before resetting my Samsung phone?
Back up photos, contacts, calendar events, notes, messages, and files before you reset. Save them in more than one place if you can. Samsung Cloud can hold core Samsung data, and Samsung Smart Switch can make a fuller local backup to a PC or Mac before you erase the phone.
What Samsung Cloud can save
Samsung Cloud is the lighter cloud option before a reset. It is useful for contacts, calendar events, notes, and selected app data that syncs through your Samsung account. Open Settings > Accounts and backup > Samsung Cloud to check what is set to sync.
What Samsung Smart Switch can copy to a PC or Mac
Smart Switch is the stronger backup choice when you want a full local copy. It can move content to a computer before you wipe the phone. Use the desktop app, connect the S24 by USB, and start a backup from the Smart Switch screen.
What to double-check before you wipe the phone
- Open Settings > Accounts and backup and confirm Samsung Cloud sync is complete.
- Check Google Photos, Google Drive, and Google Contacts if you rely on Google backup.
- Run Smart Switch on a PC or Mac for a local backup copy.
- Confirm that photos, downloads, and any files in internal storage are saved elsewhere.
How do I soft reset a Galaxy S24 if it freezes?
A frozen Galaxy S24 usually needs a force restart, not a wipe. This clears a temporary lockup without erasing data. Use it first when the screen is unresponsive, the touch layer stops working, or an app stall takes over the whole phone.
Use a force restart when the screen stops responding
- Press and hold Volume Down and the Side button together.
- Keep holding until the screen turns off and the Samsung logo appears.
- Release the buttons and let the phone boot normally.
When a soft reset is enough
Use this when the phone is frozen but still powers on. It can clear a stalled app, a temporary UI hang, or a one-time software glitch after an update. It does not erase files, accounts, or settings.
When a freeze points to a deeper software problem
If the phone repeatedly locks up after rebooting, the issue may be a bad app, a corrupted setting, or a failed update. Suppose the S24 freezes every time a video app opens. In that case, a settings reset or app preference reset may help before you consider Factory Data Reset.
How do I reset network settings on a Galaxy S24?
Use a network reset when Wi-Fi, mobile data, Bluetooth, or hotspot problems are the main complaint. It clears saved connections and network-specific configuration without touching your photos, messages, or installed apps. That makes it the safest first reset for connectivity trouble.
What the network reset erases
It removes saved Wi‑Fi networks and passwords, Bluetooth pairings, mobile network settings, and hotspot settings. You will need to reconnect accessories and rejoin Wi-Fi networks afterward.
Steps to reset network settings
- Open Settings.
- Tap General Management.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Reset network settings.
- Review the warning, then tap Reset settings or the equivalent confirmation button shown on your screen.
What happens after the reset
Your phone will drop saved connections and return network options to a default state. Reconnect to Wi-Fi, re-pair Bluetooth accessories, and re-enter hotspot details if needed. If the problem survives that reset and a restart, escalate to Reset all settings or Factory Data Reset.
How do I reset all settings on a Galaxy S24?
Reset all settings is the middle option: stronger than a network reset, lighter than a factory wipe. It is useful when the phone works, but system preferences are tangled after a change, an update, or a mis-set option. It keeps personal data in place.
What this reset changes
It returns many system preferences to default values, including display, sound, and other device-level settings. It typically does not remove your photos, files, messages, or installed apps. Think of it as a rebuild of the phone’s behavior, not its contents.
Steps to reset all settings
- Open Settings.
- Tap General Management.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Reset all settings.
- Confirm the reset when prompted.
When to use this instead of a factory reset
Use it when the phone is still usable and the problem looks system-wide, such as odd notifications, broken sound behavior, or settings that refuse to stick. It is a better first step than erasing the whole device.
How do I factory reset my Galaxy S24?
Factory Data Reset is the full wipe for a Galaxy S24. It erases personal data, apps, and settings, so use it after you back up the phone or when you are preparing it for sale or trade-in. The process usually takes about 5–15 minutes once it starts.
Settings path for a factory reset
- Open Settings.
- Tap General Management.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Factory data reset.
- Review the list of data that will be erased.
- Tap Reset and then Delete all if that wording appears on your screen.
What Factory Data Reset deletes
It removes the phone’s personal data, apps, and settings. That includes accounts stored on the device, downloaded content, and locally saved information. Anything not backed up before the wipe is usually gone.
What to expect after the wipe
The phone restarts into setup, where you can sign in again, choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and restore from Samsung account, Google backup, or Smart Switch. If the reset was for resale, stop before adding personal accounts back in.
What if the Galaxy S24 is locked or won’t boot?
Use Recovery Mode when Settings is not available, such as if the phone is locked, frozen, or stuck during startup. This is the fallback path for a device that cannot reach the normal Reset menu. It is the right route when a password blocks access or a bad update stops booting.
Use Recovery Mode when normal settings are blocked
Recovery Mode is the hardware-button method for a forced factory reset on Samsung phones. It is recommended if the phone is locked or frozen. This guide uses a button combination such as Volume Up + Side to enter Recovery Mode.
Recovery Mode reset steps
- Power the phone off if possible.
- Press and hold Volume Up and the Side button together until Recovery Mode appears.
- Use the volume keys to highlight Wipe data/factory reset.
- Press the Side button to select it.
- Confirm the wipe, then wait for the reset to finish.
- Select Reboot system now when prompted.
What to expect after a Recovery Mode reset
The result is the same full wipe you get from Settings, but it works when the phone cannot load the normal interface. If the phone still will not start afterward, the issue may be hardware-related or beyond a reset.
After the reset: restore and sign back in
During setup, restore from Samsung account if your data was synced there, use Google backup if that was your main backup, or reconnect to Smart Switch if you saved a local copy. Check that contacts, calendar entries, and photos return before you finish setup.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Galaxy S24 factory reset take?
The reset itself usually takes about 5–15 minutes. Setup afterward can take longer if you restore a large backup or download many apps again. A clean wipe finishes faster than a full restore.
Will a factory reset delete everything on my Galaxy S24?
It deletes personal data, apps, and settings stored on the phone. Backed-up content can return later from Samsung Cloud, Google backup, or Smart Switch. Files saved only on the device are removed.
Can I reset a Galaxy S24 without a password?
Yes, if you can use Recovery Mode. That is the fallback when the phone is locked and Settings cannot be opened. You still need to complete setup again after the wipe.
Which reset option should I use for a specific problem?
Use Reset network settings for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth trouble, Reset all settings for broken preferences, and Factory Data Reset for resale or stubborn software problems. Start with the lightest option that fits the symptom.
How do I reset all settings on a Galaxy S24?
Go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Reset all settings, then confirm. This keeps your data but returns many device preferences to default values.
How does this compare with how to reset Samsung S20+ or how to soft reset Samsung S21?
The path is broadly the same across recent Samsung phones: use Settings > General Management > Reset for software resets, and use a button-based force restart when the screen freezes. Model names differ, but the reset logic is similar across Samsung’s recent Galaxy lineup.