How to Reset Galaxy Watch 8
There are two types of resets for your Galaxy Watch 8: a soft restart that preserves your data, and a factory reset that erases everything. Choose based on what you're trying to fix.
Soft Restart (Preserves Data)
Use this for temporary issues like freezing, slowness, or minor glitches.
- Press and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds
- Wait for the watch to restart automatically
- Release when the Samsung logo appears
All apps, settings, and data remain intact after a soft restart. The watch typically restarts in 30-60 seconds.
Factory Reset via Settings (Erases All Data)
Use this for persistent problems or before selling/giving away the watch.
- Open
Settingson the watch - Navigate to
General - Tap
Reset - Select
Factory data reset - Confirm when prompted
The reset takes 5-10 minutes and returns the watch to out-of-box condition.
Hard Reset (Alternative Method)
Use this when the watch is unresponsive and you can't access settings.
- Power off the watch completely
- Press and hold both the power button and home button simultaneously
- Continue holding until the recovery menu appears
- Use touch or crown to navigate to
Factory reset - Confirm the selection
Before Factory Reset
Back up your data before erasing everything.
- Samsung Health: Ensure fitness data is synced to the Samsung Health app on your phone
- Google Account: Verify settings are backed up to your Google account
- Note Apps: Record any apps you'll want to reinstall
- Watch Faces: Custom watch faces and complications will need reconfiguration
When to Use Factory Reset
Factory reset is appropriate for:
- Persistent performance issues not resolved by soft restart
- Bluetooth or WiFi connection problems that won't resolve
- Software corruption or frequent crashes
- Preparing the watch for sale or transfer to another user
After Factory Reset
Follow these steps to set up your watch again.
- Complete the initial language and setup wizard
- Open
Galaxy Wearableon your phone and pair the watch - Sign into your Google and Samsung accounts
- Restore from backup if prompted
- Reinstall apps from Google Play Store
Try Soft Restart First
Always try a soft restart before factory reset. It resolves most temporary issues without erasing your data.
See Also: Galaxy Watch 8 Troubleshooting|Galaxy Watch 8 Not Pairing|How to Turn On Galaxy Watch 8