If you’re experiencing issues with your Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, such as freezing, glitches, or unresponsive apps, performing a hard reset (also known as a factory reset) can often resolve the problem. A hard reset will erase all data and settings on your watch, restoring it to the default factory state, so it’s important to back up any important data before proceeding. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to hard reset your Galaxy Watch Active and get it running smoothly again.
Key Takeaways
- You can hard reset your Samsung Galaxy Watch Active to erase all data and settings.
- There are two methods: using the watch’s settings or using reboot mode.
- The settings method is preferred if your watch is responsive.
- Both methods will erase your data, so back up your watch if possible before resetting.
- Hard reset via settings involves navigating to Settings > General > Reset.
- Hard reset via reboot mode requires pressing both buttons while off, then choosing “Recovery” in the “Select reboot mode” screen.
Can I Hard Reset my Samsung Galaxy Watch Active?
Yes, you can hard reset your Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. There are two ways to do this:
- From Settings: Navigate to Settings > General > Reset. Confirm and follow on-screen instructions.
- Using Reboot Mode (if unresponsive): Turn off watch, press and hold both buttons until “Rebooting” appears, then press Home button repeatedly until “Select reboot mode” screen appears. Choose “Recovery” and confirm with Home button to start reset process.
Before You Begin: Back Up Your Data
Since a hard reset will erase all data on your Galaxy Watch Active, it’s crucial to back up any important information you want to keep. Here’s how:
- Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your smartphone that’s paired with your watch.
- Tap the Home tab, then tap your watch at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap “Account and backup.”
- Tap “Back up data.”
- Make sure all the data categories you want to save are selected, such as Apps, Settings, and Health data.
- Tap “Back up now.”
The app will now create a backup of your selected watch data. Once the backup is complete, you’re ready to perform the hard reset.
Also Read: How to Hard Reset Samsung Galaxy Watch7 Ultra
Performing a Hard Reset on Your Galaxy Watch Active
There are two main methods to hard reset your Galaxy Watch Active:
Method 1: Using the Settings Menu
- On your Galaxy Watch Active, press the Power/Home button to wake up the screen.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings panel.
- Tap the Settings icon (gear symbol).
- Scroll down and tap “General.”
- Tap “Reset.”
- Tap “Reset device.”
- If you have a screen lock enabled, you’ll be prompted to enter your PIN or pattern.
- Tap “Reset” to confirm.
Your watch will now reset and reboot. This process may take a few minutes. Once it’s finished, your Galaxy Watch Active will be restored to its factory settings.
Method 2: Using Recovery Mode
If your Galaxy Watch Active is frozen or unresponsive and you can’t access the settings menu, you can hard reset it using recovery mode:
- Turn off your Galaxy Watch Active by pressing and holding the Power/Home button until the “Rebooting” message appears, then release the button.
- Once the watch is off, press and hold the Power/Home button and the Back button simultaneously.
- Keep holding both buttons until you see the Samsung logo, then release them.
- Your watch will enter recovery mode. Use the Power/Home button to scroll down to “Wipe data/factory reset.”
- Press the Back button to select this option.
- Scroll down to “Yes” using the Power button and press the Back button to confirm.
- Once the reset is complete, scroll to “Reboot system now” and press the Back button to select it.
Your Galaxy Watch Active will now reboot and be restored to its factory settings. You’ll need to pair it with your smartphone again and restore any backed up data.
Also Read: How to Factory Reset Your Garmin Forerunner 235
Restoring Your Data and Settings After a Hard Reset
After performing a hard reset, you’ll need to set up your Galaxy Watch Active from scratch. Here’s how to restore your backed up data:
- Follow the initial setup prompts on your watch to pair it with your smartphone via Bluetooth.
- Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone and tap your watch at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap “Account and backup.”
- Tap “Restore data.”
- Select the backup you created before resetting your watch.
- Choose which data categories you want to restore, such as Apps, Settings, and Health data.
- Tap “Restore.”
The app will now restore your backed up data to your Galaxy Watch Active. This process may take several minutes, depending on how much data you’re restoring. Once it’s finished, your watch should be set up with your previous preferences and data.
Also Read: How to Hard Reset Your LG L90 D405N Smartphone
How to Hard reset Samsung Galaxy watch Active without Password
To hard reset a Samsung Galaxy Watch Active without a password:
- Press and hold the Home (Power) key and Back key until “Rebooting” appears.
- Quickly press the Home key repeatedly until the Reboot mode menu appears.
- Press the Home key to select “Recovery”.
How to reset Samsung Galaxy Watch without Phone
To reset a Samsung Galaxy Watch without a phone, start by pressing and holding the Home (Power) key until the watch restarts. Once you see the “Rebooting” message, quickly press the Home key repeatedly until the Reboot mode menu appears. In this menu, use the Home key to scroll and select “Recovery.” After entering the Recovery mode, navigate using the Home key to find and select “Wipe data/factory reset.” Confirm your choice to initiate the reset process, which will restore the watch to its factory settings without the need for a connected phone.
How do i factory reset my Samsung Watch without Buttons?
To factory reset your Samsung watch without using buttons:
- Open the Settings menu on the watch.
- Go to General.
- Select Reset.
- Confirm to initiate the factory reset.
Tips to Prevent Needing a Hard Reset
While a hard reset can be a useful troubleshooting tool, it’s best to avoid needing one if possible. Here are some tips to help keep your Galaxy Watch Active running smoothly:
- Keep your watch software up to date: Regularly check for and install any available software updates for your Galaxy Watch Active. These updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can help prevent issues.
- Manage your watch’s storage: If your watch’s storage is close to full, it can cause performance problems. Regularly remove any unnecessary apps, music, or files to free up space.
- Close unused apps: If you’re not actively using an app, close it to free up memory and prevent it from running in the background.
- Restart your watch periodically: Occasionally restarting your Galaxy Watch Active can help clear out any temporary glitches or memory leaks that may be causing problems.
- Avoid exposing your watch to extreme temperatures: Excessive heat or cold can damage your watch’s hardware and cause malfunctions.
By following these tips and taking good care of your Galaxy Watch Active, you can minimize the chances of needing a hard reset. However, if you do encounter persistent issues, a factory reset can often get your watch back in working order.
FAQs
How do I perform a soft reset on my Samsung Galaxy Watch Active?
To soft reset your Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, press and hold the Power button until the options menu appears. Tap “Power off” to turn off the watch. Once it’s off, press and hold the Power button again until the Samsung logo appears, then release the button.
What’s the difference between a soft reset and a factory reset on a Samsung Galaxy Watch Active?
A soft reset, also known as a restart, simply turns the watch off and back on again without deleting any data. A factory reset, on the other hand, erases all data and settings from the watch, returning it to its original out-of-the-box state.
How can I factory reset my Samsung Galaxy Watch Active from the watch’s settings?
To factory reset your Samsung Galaxy Watch Active from its settings, navigate to Settings > General > Reset. Tap the checkmark and follow any on-screen instructions to initiate the reset process.
Is it possible to factory reset my Samsung Galaxy Watch Active using the buttons?
Yes, you can factory reset your Samsung Galaxy Watch Active using the buttons. Tap Settings > General > Reset or enter reboot and recovery mode to perform a hard reset. You can also use the companion app to back up data and factory reset the watch.
Will I lose all my data if I perform a factory reset on my Samsung Galaxy Watch Active?
Yes, a factory reset will erase all data and settings from your Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, including any installed apps, preferences, and personal information. Be sure to back up any important data using the companion app before performing a factory reset.
