To factory reset a locked Samsung Galaxy S21 without a password, you have two official options: using Recovery Mode with hardware buttons or using Samsung's remote erase service. Both methods will completely erase all personal data from the phone, bypassing the lock screen to restore the device to its factory state.
What to know before you start
A factory reset is irreversible and deletes all data, including apps, photos, and accounts. Back up data before factory reset using Samsung's built-in backup or third-party solutions. Disable Factory Reset Protection (FRP) before reset if enabled, to prevent authentication issues. Remember Google account credentials before reset, as they are needed after reset to access the device. The remote method through Samsung Find requires the phone to be registered to your Samsung account beforehand. Charge the device or connect to power before starting the reset to prevent interruption from low battery. After the reset, you will need the original Google account credentials to pass Factory Reset Protection (FRP) verification, which prevents unauthorized use of the device.
Method 1: Factory reset using Recovery Mode
This method works when the phone is locked and you cannot access the Settings menu. It uses a specific button sequence to boot into a special recovery environment. The Settings path requires PIN, pattern, or password to proceed, and may also require Samsung account password.
- Power off the Samsung Galaxy S21 completely. For Recovery Mode, power off the device first, then hold Volume Up + Power until the Samsung logo appears, then release.
- Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button simultaneously.
- Continue holding both buttons until the Samsung logo appears, then release them.
- In Recovery Mode, use volume buttons to navigate and power button to select. Use the Volume Up and Volume Down keys to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset.
- Press the Power button to select this option.
- Navigate to Factory data reset on the confirmation screen and press Power to confirm.
- Once the reset completes, navigate to Reboot system now and press Power to restart the phone.
This process does not require the phone's password, PIN, or pattern, making it the primary method for bypassing phone lock screens when you have forgotten your credentials.
Method 2: Factory reset using Samsung Find
If the Galaxy S21 is registered to your Samsung account and connected to the internet, you can erase it remotely from another device or computer. Find My Mobile remote erase requires the device to be connected to the internet for the command to execute. Remote erase may take some time to complete. Use remote erase only when necessary, such as for a lost or stolen device, because it irreversibly erases all data.
- Go to the SmartThings Find or Samsung Find website from any browser.
- Sign in with the same Samsung account that is on the locked phone.
- Select the Galaxy S21 from the list of registered devices.
- Choose the Erase data option.
- If prompted, verify your Samsung account by signing in again.
- Confirm the command to begin the remote factory reset.
The phone must be online for the command to reach it. This method is useful for lost or stolen devices, but it also serves as a way to handle an FRP bypass lock on any Android phone that is linked to your Samsung account.
What to do after the factory reset
Once the reset finishes, the phone will restart and display the initial setup screen. You will need to connect to Wi-Fi and sign in with the Google account that was previously on the device. This is a mandatory FRP verification step that cannot be skipped. Without these credentials, you cannot complete the setup and use the phone normally. All personal data has been permanently removed, so the device will feel like a brand-new phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Galaxy S21 be factory reset without the password?
Yes, using Recovery Mode or Samsung's remote erase service. The normal Settings path requires the password, but these two official methods do not.
Does a factory reset remove the Samsung account from the phone?
No. While all user data is erased, the Samsung account remains linked to the device until you manually remove it before the reset. After the reset, you may still need to sign in to that account during setup.
How long does the recovery mode reset take?
The wipe process itself typically takes under a minute. The full reset, including the automatic reboot and initial setup, usually completes within 5 to 10 minutes.
Will a factory reset fix a frozen or unresponsive S21?
It can resolve software-related issues causing the freeze, but it will not fix hardware damage. If the phone is physically broken, the reset may not help.
What if I don't remember my Google account credentials after the reset?
You will be unable to pass FRP verification. You must recover the password through Google's account recovery tools before the reset, or use a device that still has access to the account to reset the password.
