Whether you're selling your Galaxy Z Fold 6/5/4 and Z Flip 6/5/4, troubleshooting a software issue, or starting fresh — a factory reset erases everything and returns your device to its original state. This covers Galaxy Z Fold 6/5/4 and Z Flip 6/5/4.
Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset → Reset
Back up before you reset. This permanently deletes all photos, messages, apps, and settings. There's no undo. Samsung Cloud: Settings → Samsung Account → Samsung Cloud → Back Up. Google: Settings → Google → Backup → Back Up Now.
Reset from Settings
The standard method — works when your device is responsive and you know your passcode.
Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory Data Reset → Reset
Enter your passcode → account password → confirm
Your device erases and restarts to the setup screen. Takes about 2–5 minutes.
Recovery Mode
Use this if your phone is frozen, won't boot, or you forgot your PIN. No computer needed.
Power off the phone completely
Hold Volume Up + Side button together
Release when the Samsung logo appears
Use Volume buttons to select Wipe data/factory reset → Side button to confirm
Select Factory data reset → confirm again
Reset settings only — keep your data
Settings → General Management → Reset → Reset All Settings
Resets Wi-Fi, display, and preferences. Apps and data stay. Worth trying before a full erase.
Force restart — no data loss
Hold Volume Down + Side button together for 7–10 seconds until the phone restarts.
Just a reboot. Nothing is erased. Try this first if it's frozen.
Will a reset fix my problem?
If it's software — slow after an update, apps crashing, random reboots, storage full — a reset will probably fix it. If it's hardware, it won't.
Software — reset helps
Sluggish after an update
Apps crashing or freezing
Random reboots
System data eating storage
Preparing to sell
Hardware — needs repair
Crease becoming a crack on inner display
Cover screen damage
Hinge stiffness or looseness
Inner screen flickering
Dust under screen protector
Quick test: reset, set up as new (skip the backup restore), and see if the problem returns. If it does — it's hardware.
eSIM
Z Fold and Z Flip support eSIM alongside nano-SIM. Contact your carrier to reactivate after reset.
Common questions
My Z Fold crease is getting worse — will resetting help?
No. The crease is physical. If it cracks or the display fails along the fold, that's hardware.
Is the process different for foldables?
No. Same steps as any other Galaxy phone.
How long does it take?
The erase takes 2–5 minutes. Restoring from a backup adds 10 minutes to over an hour.
Still not working after a reset? It's probably hardware. We do free diagnosis at FIXSTORY — no appointment, no pressure.
(424) 270-4369 · 800 S Flower St, Suite B, LA 90017 · Walk-ins welcome