How to Hard Reset a Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

A hard reset erases a Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and returns it to its factory setup, which can help if you are selling it, giving it away, or fixing a persistent problem. You can reset it from Settings if you know the screen-lock PIN, or use the watch’s recovery menu if you cannot unlock it. Back up anything you want to keep first: a factory reset removes watch data and settings.

What You’ll Need

Your Galaxy Watch 3, with enough battery to complete the reset. Charge it first if the battery is low.
Your PIN for the normal Settings method. The recovery-menu method does not require the PIN.
A phone paired to the watch if you want to back up or restore supported data through the Galaxy Wearable app.

Step-by-Step

Back up and prepare the watch. If you can unlock it, open the Galaxy Wearable app on the paired phone and look for Watch settings > Accounts and backup > Back up data. Menu wording can vary with the app version and phone. Allow the backup to finish. Keep the watch near the phone, and make sure both have adequate battery. If the watch is being transferred to someone else, remove it from your Samsung account or follow the account-removal prompts during the reset so the next person can set it up normally.
Choose the method that fits. If the watch is unlocked and you know its PIN, use Settings. If it is locked, the PIN is forgotten, or Settings cannot be opened, use the recovery-menu method below. A reset from recovery still erases the watch; it is not a way to recover the PIN or preserve its data.
Reset from Settings when you know the PIN. On the watch, press the Home/Power button to show the apps, then open Settings. Scroll to and tap General, choose Reset, review the warning, and confirm the reset. If prompted, enter the screen-lock PIN. Wait for the watch to erase its data and restart; do not turn it off during the process.
Open the recovery menu if you do not know the PIN. Press and hold the Home/Power button until the watch restarts and the Samsung logo appears. As soon as it does, repeatedly press the Home/Power button until the screen displays Rebooting or a boot menu. The timing is brief, so start tapping immediately after the logo appears. Use the Home/Power button to move through the menu until Recovery is highlighted, then press and hold the button to select it. The watch should enter its recovery screen.
Wipe the watch from recovery. In the recovery menu, use the Home/Power button to move to Wipe data/factory reset. Select it by pressing and holding the button. Choose the confirmation option, often labelled Factory data reset or Yes, and select it. Menu wording or button behavior can differ slightly by software version. Do not select a reboot option until the wipe has completed.
Restart and set it up. When the recovery menu reports that the wipe is finished, select Reboot system now and confirm. The first start can take several minutes. Follow the on-screen setup instructions and pair the watch with your phone using Galaxy Wearable. Restore a backup if one is available and wanted. A previous screen lock may be requested during setup depending on how the watch and accounts were configured.

Common Mistakes

Confusing restart with reset: Holding the Power button to restart only turns the watch off and on. It does not erase data. Use Settings > General > Reset or the recovery wipe option.
Tapping too late for the boot menu: The recovery-menu key sequence begins at the Samsung logo during startup. If the watch reaches its normal watch face, restart and try again, tapping promptly at the logo.
Selecting the wrong recovery item: Choose Wipe data/factory reset to erase. Reboot system now merely restarts the device.
Expecting the reset to save data: A factory reset deletes data stored on the watch. Backups may not include every item, so check what matters before proceeding.
Interrupting the wipe: Do not force a shutdown or let the battery run flat while the reset is in progress. Charge beforehand and allow time for the restart.

Tips

Use the Settings method whenever possible: it is simpler and makes it easier to back up the watch first.
If you are resetting because the watch is misbehaving, try a normal restart before erasing it. A reset is a more disruptive step and may not fix a hardware fault.
For a handoff, unpair the watch through Galaxy Wearable after the reset if it remains listed, and make sure it no longer appears as an active device under your account.
Keep the watch and phone close during backup, pairing, and restore. Do not assume that removing the watch’s PIN removes account protections or account links.

Troubleshooting

The recovery menu will not appear: Restart the watch and watch closely for the Samsung logo. Begin pressing the Home/Power button repeatedly as soon as it appears. If you miss the brief timing window, let the watch start fully and try again. Make sure you are pressing the physical Home/Power button, not the Back button.

The watch keeps starting normally: Try the button sequence again from a complete restart. If the screen is frozen, hold the Home/Power button until the watch restarts, then begin tapping at the logo. Button response may be difficult if the button is damaged or stuck; do not force it.

The reset option is unavailable or the watch asks for a PIN: Use recovery if the watch is locked and you cannot enter the PIN. If the recovery menu itself asks for a confirmation, follow its on-screen instructions; do not guess at unrelated menu choices. A PIN reset does not bypass any account or ownership checks that may appear during setup.

The watch does not finish restarting: Give it several minutes, especially after the first wipe. If it remains stuck, connect it to its charger and allow it to charge, then try restarting and repeating the recovery wipe. If it repeatedly fails to boot or recovery cannot complete, contact Samsung support or a qualified repair service rather than repeatedly interrupting it.

Pairing or restoring fails: Restart the phone and watch, ensure Bluetooth is enabled, and open Galaxy Wearable to pair again. Confirm that the phone is compatible and that you are using the account associated with the backup. If the watch is still linked to a previous owner’s account, that owner may need to remove it before setup can finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a hard reset remove the PIN?
It erases the watch’s stored settings, including its screen lock, but setup may require account verification or other previously configured credentials.

Can I reset a Galaxy Watch 3 without the PIN?
Yes. Use the recovery-menu method and select Wipe data/factory reset. This erases the watch and does not recover its data.

Does a factory reset erase data on my phone?
No. It erases data on the watch, not the paired phone. A phone backup or synced copy may remain, but check that it completed before resetting.

How long does the reset take?
The wipe and restart usually take several minutes, though timing varies. Keep the watch charged and avoid interrupting it.

Will resetting fix every problem?
No. It can help with some software issues, but it will not repair physical damage, a failing battery, or other hardware faults.

Can I set the watch up for someone else after resetting?
Usually, yes, once the reset is complete and any account links or setup checks are resolved. Remove the watch from your account when handing it over.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →