How to backup and factory reset your Samsung Galaxy Watch

Learning how to backup Samsung Galaxy Watch devices or perform a factory reset can be invaluable. Performing a factory reset is undoubtedly the last resort if things go wrong – but it is a resort nonetheless – and one that almost always works. 

Additionally, if you want to sell or give your watch to someone else, you definitely want to reset it to remove all your personalization and information.

Luckily Samsung gives us options. You can reset your Samsung watch using its Settings app or Reboot mode on the watch itself. Or you can reset using the Galaxy Wearable app on your paired phone. 

So, without any further ado, let us get right into it!

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How to backup Samsung Galaxy Watches

First things first, it’s worth keeping in mind that a factory reset does delete all of your data. Plus, for those with an LTE watch with an active plan, you may need to contact your service provider to reactivate your watch’s cellular service after a reset.

This process restores your watch to its factory settings and original state when you first opened it – which is why this is called a “factory” reset. 

That’s precisely why you should first consider creating a backup.

If you connect more than one Samsung watch to your phone, power off all other watches except the one that you’re resetting.

Back up your Galaxy Watch first!

1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your paired phone.
2. Choose Watch Settings > Accounts and Backup or tap Settings > About Gear.
3. Tap Back up data.

Checkmark what data you want to be backed up (or Select All) and then tap Back up at the bottom.Keep in mind that this may not back up your downloaded songs. In that case, you’ll have to either download them again if we are talking about Spotify or transfer them again from a PC/phone if it’s DRM-free music. 

When you are ready to restore your Galaxy’s backed-up data, head back to the Accounts and backup section, then choose the option to Restore data instead of Back up data. 

Then, select your recent backup or a backup file of your choice, and it restores all your data to your watch.

You can also choose which data you wish to restore by checkmarking just that data.

How to perform a factory reset your Galaxy Watch

Now that you have a backup ready, everything is set to perform a factory reset without fear of losing your settings and data.

If you’re selling your watch or giving it away, you may need to turn off its Reactivation lock. The Reactivation lock is available on Tizen watch models and uses your Samsung account information to make sure no one can unlock it.

You don’t need to do this step if you keep the watch and reset it due to problems or if you want a fresh start.

To factory reset a Galaxy Watch

1. Go to the Settings of your Galaxy Watch.
2. Swipe and tap General, then choose Reset.
3. Confirm and wait for the watch to reset.

For those with an older Samsung Gear S2 watch, open Settings and tap Gear info. Then, go to Reset Gear > Factory reset > Done.

Alternatively, you can also perform a factory reset through your phone

• Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your paired phone, then tap Watch Settings. Go to General > Reset > Reset.

If the Set security option does not appear, tap Turn on Remote Connection > OK. 

Selling or giving the Samsung Watch away?

After the reset, make sure you unpair its Bluetooth connection on your phone. Go to your paired phone’s Settings > Connections > Bluetooth.

Choose the Settings icon next to the watch and tap Forget (or unpair.)

Forgotten your PIN?

If you forget your PIN, you may want to hard reset it before factory resetting.

A hard reset is also useful in any other case where you can’t get access to the watch when it’s not responding, is stuck on a black screen or any screen/app, and has other similar problems. 

It’s a bit more tricky than a normal factory reset.

How to perform a hard reset on a Samsung Galaxy watch

1. Turn the watch off. Hold down the home key.
2. When the watch tries to power on, keep on tapping the home button until the Select REBOOT MODE screen comes up.
3. Quickly tap the home button until Recovery is highlighted.
4. Then hold down the home button until the watch begins the recovery process. For a Google Wear OS watch like the Watch 4 or 5, continue to the next step.
   1. On the next menu, swipe down to select Wipe data/factory reset, and then swipe right.
   2. Swipe down again to select Factory data reset, and swipe right to perform the reset. When the reset completes, swipe right to reboot the watch.

And that’s how you can factory reset a Samsung Galaxy Watch. Hopefully, this fixes whatever issues you may have been experiencing. 

FAQ

How do I transfer my Galaxy Watch to my New Phone? 

First, back up your data and perform a factory reset by following the above guide. Then install the Galaxy Wearable app on your new phone and set it up again there.

Just remember to restore your previous backup so that you won’t have to do everything from scratch. 

How do I reset my Samsung Watch without the password? 

You can do this with a hard reset by following the steps for using Reboot Mode on the watch.

1. Turn the watch off.
2. Hold down the home key.
3. When the watch tries to power on, keep on tapping the home button until the “select REBOOT MODE” screen comes up.
4. Quickly tap the home button until “Recovery” is highlighted.
5. Then hold down the home button until the watch starts factory resetting.

Wrapping Up

That’s all for now. If you have any other questions, feel free to let us and everyone else know about them in the comments section down below!

Also, if you liked this article, feel free to stick around for more. We regularly post on anything that has to do with technology, well-being, and fitness.