If your Samsung Galaxy A35 is freezing, stuck on the boot logo, riddled with malware, or you’re getting ready to sell it, a Samsung Galaxy A35 hard reset wipes the device back to factory condition and usually clears the problem. This guide covers both ways to do it: a factory reset from the Settings menu when the phone still boots normally, and a hardware-button reset from Recovery Mode when it doesn’t. Read the warning about Google’s anti-theft lock before you start, because skipping that step can leave you locked out of your own phone.
When you need a hard reset
A hard reset (factory reset) erases all user data, apps, accounts, and settings. It’s the right move when:
- The Galaxy A35 is unresponsive, crashing constantly, or stuck in a boot loop.
- Performance has degraded badly and a normal restart no longer helps.
- You forgot your screen lock and need to start fresh (note: this triggers the FRP lock, explained below).
- You’re selling, trading in, or giving the phone away and want your data gone.
- Persistent app or system errors survive a regular reboot.
If your goal is to fix a software glitch rather than erase everything, try the milder steps in recovery mode first, such as clearing the cache partition, before committing to a full wipe.
Before you start
A factory reset is permanent. There is no undo, so prepare first:
- Charge the phone to at least 50 percent, or keep it plugged in. A reset interrupted by a dead battery can corrupt the system.
- Back up your data. Photos, contacts, messages, and app data will all be deleted. Use Samsung Cloud or Google to save a copy, and see our guide on how to back up and restore Android devices so you can recover everything afterward.
- Know your Google account. Confirm the Gmail address and password already signed in on the A35. You will need it after the reset to get past the FRP screen.
- Remove your SD card and SIM if you don’t want them affected or you’re handing the phone on.
Method 1 – factory reset from Settings
If the Galaxy A35 still turns on and you can reach the menus, this is the cleanest way to do a Samsung Galaxy A35 hard reset. The A35 runs One UI, so the path is:
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap General management.
- Tap Reset.
- Select Factory data reset.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Reset, then Delete all.
- Enter your PIN, pattern, or password and confirm your Samsung account password if prompted.
The phone reboots, erases everything, and restarts at the initial setup screen. This process applies broadly across Samsung models; for other brands and a general overview, see how to hard reset any Android mobile.
Method 2 – hard reset from Recovery
If the A35 is frozen, won’t get past the logo, or you can’t unlock the screen, use the hardware buttons. The Galaxy A35 has no physical Bixby key, so the combo relies on Volume and Power:
- Power off the phone completely. If it’s unresponsive, hold Volume Down + Power (Side key) together until it shuts down.
- With the phone off, plug it into a PC or charger with a USB cable. On modern Galaxy A-series devices this connection is what allows the button combo to enter Recovery.
- Press and hold Volume Up + Power (Side key) at the same time.
- When the Samsung logo or Recovery menu appears, release both buttons.
- Use Volume Down to highlight Wipe data/factory reset, then press the Power key to select it.
- Highlight Factory data reset (or Yes) and press Power to confirm.
- When it finishes, select Reboot system now with the Power key.
If your computer doesn’t recognize the phone over USB, install the correct Android USB drivers first so the connection is stable.
A note on the Google FRP lock
Every Samsung Galaxy A35 hard reset triggers Factory Reset Protection (FRP), Google’s anti-theft feature. After the wipe, the phone will demand the Google account that was last signed in before the reset. If you don’t have those credentials, you’ll be locked at setup. To avoid this, sign out of your Google account and remove your screen lock before resetting, or be certain you know the password. If the device is yours but you’ve lost access, you can sometimes locate and reset it through Find My Device.
Frequently asked questions
Will a hard reset remove the Google FRP lock on my Galaxy A35?
No. A factory reset does not remove FRP, it activates it. After the wipe the A35 still requires the previously synced Google account and password. Always sign out and remove your screen lock before resetting if you want to avoid the lock screen.
Why won’t my Galaxy A35 enter Recovery Mode?
The most common reason is that the phone isn’t connected to a charger or PC. The Galaxy A35 typically needs a USB connection while you hold Volume Up + Power to reach Recovery. Make sure the phone is fully powered off first and that you press both buttons firmly at the same time.
Can I recover my data after the reset?
Only from a backup. The reset itself permanently erases internal storage with no built-in undo. If you backed up to Samsung Cloud or your Google account beforehand, you can restore your apps, contacts, and photos during the setup wizard or afterward through the relevant restore settings.
