When it comes to smartphone performance, there may come a time when even the latest and greatest devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, can start to lag or behave unpredictably. Whether you’re preparing to sell your device, addressing persistent software issues, or simply looking to refresh your phone for optimal performance, knowing how to factory reset your Samsung S21 FE is crucial. In this definitive guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step, ensuring that you can reset your phone confidently and effectively.
Understanding Factory Reset: What It Means and Why You Need It
Before diving into the steps for a factory reset, it’s essential to understand its implications. A factory reset is a process that restores your device to its original system state, erasing all data, settings, and apps that you’ve installed since purchasing the phone. This process can resolve various issues such as:
- Performance Issues: If your device has slowed down significantly, a reset can clear out any unwanted applications or clutter.
- Software Bugs: Persistent glitches or malfunctions may be solved by resetting the operating system to its original configuration.
Yet, before proceeding, remember that any personal data, including photos, videos, contacts, and messages, will be irretrievably deleted unless backed up.
Preparing for Your Factory Reset
Before initiating the factory reset on your Samsung S21 FE, follow these crucial preparatory steps to ensure a smooth process:
1. Back Up Your Data
Backing up your data is perhaps the most important step before performing a factory reset. There are several ways to back up your data on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE:
- Samsung Cloud: Use this built-in cloud service to back up your contacts, photos, and more to Samsung’s servers.
- Google Drive: Sync your important files and documents via Google Drive for cloud storage.
For a comprehensive backup:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Accounts and backup.
- Select Backup and restore.
- Choose Back up data.
2. Charge Your Device
Ensure that your Samsung S21 FE is at least 50% charged before performing a factory reset. This precaution helps prevent your device from shutting down unexpectedly during the process, which can lead to software corruption.
3. Note Your Account Login Credentials
Make sure you have your Google account login details and Samsung account credentials handy, as you’ll need them to restore your data post-reset or to set up your device again.
How to Factory Reset Your Samsung S21 FE via Settings
Now that you’re prepared, let’s proceed with the factory reset through the device settings:
Step-by-Step Guide
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Open Settings: Tap on the gear icon in the app drawer or swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon in the notification shade.
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Scroll to General Management: Scroll down and select General Management.
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Select Reset: In the General Management menu, tap on Reset.
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Choose Factory Data Reset: You’ll see several options; choose Factory Data Reset.
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Read the Information: You’ll be presented with information regarding what will be erased. Take a moment to read through this to understand the implications fully.
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Tap Reset: After reviewing, tap on Reset at the bottom of the screen.
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Enter Your PIN/Password: If you have security measures in place, enter your PIN, password, or pattern to continue.
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Confirm Your Choice: A prompt will appear asking you to confirm the factory reset. Tap on Delete All to proceed.
How to Factory Reset Your Samsung S21 FE Using Recovery Mode
In some cases, accessing the settings may not be possible, especially if your device is not responding. You can utilize recovery mode to factory reset your Samsung S21 FE.
Step-By-Step Guide
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Turn Off Your Device: Press and hold the power button, then select Power off to turn off your device completely.
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Boot Into Recovery Mode:
- Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button simultaneously.
- Keep holding both buttons until the Samsung logo appears, then release them.
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Navigate Recovery Mode:
- Use the Volume buttons to scroll through the options.
- Select Wipe data/factory reset by pressing the Power button.
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Confirm the Reset:
- Use the Volume buttons again to scroll to Yes and confirm the action by pressing the Power button.
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Reboot the Device: After the reset completes, select Reboot system now and press the Power button to restart your device.
Post-Reset: Setting Up Your Samsung S21 FE
Once the factory reset is complete, your Samsung S21 FE will reboot, and you will be greeted with the initial setup screen as if it were new.
Setting Up Your Device
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Select Your Language: Choose your preferred language and tap Start.
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Connect to Wi-Fi: Connect to a Wi-Fi network to proceed with the setup.
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Sign in to Your Google Account: Enter your Google account credentials to restore apps, contacts, and other data.
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Set Up Samsung Account: If you have a Samsung account, sign in to sync your data.
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Restore Your Backup: If you backed up your device previously, you will have the option to restore data. Select your preferred backup to restore all necessary files.
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Complete Additional Configurations: Follow the prompt to set up features like security preferences, Google services, and more.
What to Do If Factory Reset Doesn’t Solve Your Issues
If you’ve completed a factory reset and your Samsung S21 FE is still experiencing performance issues, consider these steps:
1. Update Your Software
Ensuring your device is running the latest software can help fix bugs or performance problems. Go to Settings > Software update and select Download and install.
2. Check for Hardware Issues
If software solutions are ineffective, the problem may reside in the device’s hardware. Consult with Samsung support or a professional technician for a thorough inspection.
3. Explore Official Support Resources
Samsung has an extensive array of resources for troubleshooting and support on their official website. It may be worth exploring forums and help topics relevant to your issues.
Conclusion
Knowing how to factory reset your Samsung S21 FE can significantly enhance your user experience—whether you’re looking to clear up storage, fix performance issues, or prepare the device for a new owner. By following the outlined steps and ensuring you back up your data, you’re taking a responsible approach to smartphone maintenance. Don’t hesitate to utilize this feature whenever necessary; a fresh start can work wonders for your device’s performance. Your Samsung S21 FE is a powerful tool, and with the right maintenance, it can remain a reliable partner for years to come.
What is a factory reset on the Samsung S21 FE?
A factory reset, also known as a hard reset, is the process of restoring your Samsung S21 FE to its original factory settings. This action erases all user data, including apps, settings, and personal files, returning the device to the state it was in when it first left the manufacturing facility. It’s often used to resolve performance issues, remove malware, or prepare the device for resale.
When you perform a factory reset, all data saved on the internal storage of the device will be deleted. It’s crucial to back up any important information before proceeding. Once the reset is complete, you will have to set up the phone again as if it were new, adding your accounts and reinstalling any apps you wish to keep.
How do I back up my data before a factory reset?
Before performing a factory reset on your Samsung S21 FE, it is essential to back up your data to prevent any loss of important information. You can use Samsung Cloud or Google Drive to back up your photos, contacts, and other important files. To back up using Samsung Cloud, go to ‘Settings,’ tap on ‘Accounts and Backup,’ then ‘Backup and Restore,’ and follow the prompts.
Additionally, you may consider physically transferring data to a computer using a USB cable. Simply connect your device to the computer, select the files you wish to back up, and copy them to your computer’s hard drive. It’s good practice to have multiple backup methods in place for extra security.
What steps do I need to follow to factory reset my Samsung S21 FE?
To factory reset your Samsung S21 FE, start by navigating to ‘Settings’ on your device. From there, scroll down and tap on ‘General Management.’ Next, select ‘Reset’ and choose ‘Factory Data Reset.’ You will be presented with a screen detailing what data will be deleted. Review this information carefully before proceeding.
Once you are ready, scroll down and hit ‘Reset’ to initiate the process. You may need to enter your PIN, password, or pattern for verification. After confirming, tap on ‘Delete All’ to finalize the factory reset. The device will restart and return to its factory state, which may take a few minutes to complete.
Will a factory reset improve my Samsung S21 FE’s performance?
A factory reset can significantly improve your Samsung S21 FE’s performance, especially if the device has been running slowly or experiencing persistent glitches. Over time, apps and files can accumulate, potentially causing the system to lag. By performing a factory reset, you clear all unnecessary data and junk files, which can help restore optimal performance.
However, it’s important to note that a factory reset should be viewed as a last resort after trying other troubleshooting methods, such as clearing cache or uninstalling unused applications. If the performance issues persist even after a factory reset, there might be a deeper hardware-related problem that requires professional assistance.
What should I do if my Samsung S21 FE is stuck in a factory reset loop?
If your Samsung S21 FE gets stuck in a factory reset loop, it can be frustrating. This situation generally occurs due to software glitches or corrupted data. To resolve this, try to perform a soft reset by pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons together until the device restarts. This simple step can often break the loop and allow you to start afresh.
If the problem persists, consider booting into Recovery Mode and performing a Wipe Cache Partition. To do this, power off the device, and then press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons until the Samsung logo appears. Navigate to ‘Wipe Cache Partition’ using the volume buttons, select it with the Power button, and then restart your device. This method can help clear corrupted caches without affecting your data.
Will I lose my data permanently after a factory reset on my Samsung S21 FE?
Yes, performing a factory reset on your Samsung S21 FE will permanently erase all data stored on the device’s internal memory. This includes your apps, settings, messages, photos, and any other personal files. It’s essential to back up your important data before initiating a factory reset to avoid losing anything you want to keep.
In some cases, if you realize you have lost important data after the reset, it may still be possible to recover it through specialized data recovery software, but success isn’t guaranteed. Therefore, taking the necessary precautions beforehand is critically important to ensure your important files and memories are preserved.