How to Restart a Samsung Phone Automatically on a Schedule

This guide shows you how to set your Samsung phone to restart automatically on a schedule, which can help clear memory, fix minor glitches, and keep the device running smoothly. You’ll use the built-in Auto restart feature in Samsung’s Settings app—no third-party apps required. The steps work on most recent Galaxy phones running Android 11 or later.

What You’ll Need

• A Samsung Galaxy phone (Galaxy S, Note, Z, or A series) with the Settings app.
• Your phone must be running Android 11 or newer (check in Settings > About phone > Software information).
• You need to know your phone’s unlock PIN, pattern, or password—required after a restart.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel, then tap the gear icon. Alternatively, find the Settings app in your app drawer.
2. Scroll to ‘Battery and device care’. This menu is usually near the bottom of the main Settings list. On some older models it might be called ‘Device care’ or ‘Battery’.
3. Tap ‘Automation’. Inside the Battery and device care screen, you’ll see several options. Look for ‘Automation’—it’s usually near the top or in the middle of the list. On some phones, you might find ‘Auto restart’ directly under ‘Battery and device care’ without needing to tap Automation.
4. Select ‘Auto restart’. This is the specific feature that lets you schedule automatic restarts. Tap it to open the scheduling screen.
5. Toggle the switch to On. You’ll see a switch at the top of the screen—tap it so it turns blue. This enables the feature.
6. Choose the day(s). Below the switch, you’ll see a list of days (Sunday through Saturday). Tap the day(s) you want the restart to happen. For example, if you want a weekly restart, tap just one day like ‘Sunday’. If you want it more often, tap multiple days.
7. Set the time. Tap the time field (it usually shows a default like ‘3:00 AM’). Use the scroll wheel or keypad to set your desired time. Choose a time when you won’t be using the phone—typically late at night or early morning.
8. Confirm your selection. After setting the day and time, tap ‘Save’ or ‘Done’ in the top-right corner. The phone will confirm that auto restart is scheduled.
9. Verify the schedule. Go back to the Auto restart screen to see your scheduled days and time listed. If you need to change it later, just repeat these steps.

Common Mistakes

• Setting a time when you’re using the phone. If the phone is in use when the restart triggers, it may postpone or skip the restart, or you could lose unsaved work. Choose a time when you’re asleep or not using the device.
• Forgetting the lock screen PIN/pattern. After the restart, you’ll need to unlock the phone. If you forget your credentials, you’ll be locked out until you enter them correctly.
• Looking for the feature in the wrong place. On some older Samsung models (Android 10 or earlier), the Auto restart option might be under Settings > General management > Reset > Auto restart. If you don’t see it under Battery and device care, check there.
• Not saving your changes. If you just toggle the switch and set the day but forget to tap ‘Save’, the schedule won’t be applied. Always look for the Save button.

Tips

• Schedule a restart at least once a week. A weekly restart is usually enough to clear memory and keep the phone responsive. More frequent restarts (daily) can help if you notice frequent slowdowns.
• Pick a time when the phone is charging. If your phone is plugged in overnight, the restart will happen during charging, which is ideal because the battery won’t drain during the process.
• Keep your phone updated. Samsung regularly releases software updates that improve the Auto restart feature’s reliability. Make sure your phone is running the latest Android version and One UI.
• Use the feature as a first step in troubleshooting. If your phone becomes sluggish or apps crash often, schedule a nightly restart for a few days to see if it resolves the issues.

Troubleshooting

Auto restart doesn’t appear in Settings. This feature is only available on phones running Android 11 or later. If you don’t see it, check your software version: Settings > About phone > Software information > Android version. If it’s older, update your phone via Settings > Software update > Download and install. If you’re already on Android 11+ and still can’t find it, your carrier or region may have removed it—try searching ‘Auto restart’ in the Settings search bar.

The phone doesn’t restart at the scheduled time. First, confirm the schedule is saved correctly. Then check if the phone is turned off or in power-saving mode—some power-saving modes can delay background processes. Also, if the phone is in use at the scheduled time (e.g., you’re watching a video), it may skip the restart. Try setting a time when you’re definitely not using it. If it still fails, restart the phone manually once, then re-set the schedule.

After restart, some apps don’t work properly. This is rare but can happen if an app has a bug. Make sure all your apps are updated from the Galaxy Store and Google Play Store. If a specific app keeps crashing after the restart, try clearing its cache: Settings > Apps > [App] > Storage > Clear cache.

The phone asks for a PIN/pattern after restart, but I forgot it. You’ll need to use Samsung’s ‘Find My Mobile’ service or Google’s ‘Find My Device’ to unlock it remotely, but this requires that you had set up those services beforehand. If not, you may need to perform a factory reset (which erases all data). Always keep a backup of important data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will auto restart delete my data? No, it’s a normal restart. It only clears temporary files and memory, not your personal data like photos, contacts, or apps.

Can I set multiple restart times on the same day? No, the feature only allows one restart per day. You can choose multiple days but only one time for all selected days.

Does auto restart work if the phone is in power-saving mode? Generally, yes, but aggressive power-saving modes might delay or block the restart. It’s best to let the phone restart normally.

Will the alarm still go off after an auto restart? Yes, alarms are saved and will ring after the restart, as long as the phone is on. However, if the phone is completely off, alarms won’t sound.

Can I schedule a restart on a Samsung tablet? Yes, the same Auto restart feature is available on Samsung tablets running Android 11 or later.

What’s the difference between auto restart and a manual restart? None in terms of what happens—both reboot the phone. The only difference is that auto restart is scheduled and runs without your intervention.

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