How to Remove a Samsung Account Before Selling Your Phone

Prepare before signing out

Check that your photos, contacts and other important information are saved somewhere you can access independently. Verify the backup rather than relying on a notification alone. Keep access to your account's recovery email, phone number and verification method while you prepare the device.

Record the model, storage, condition and included accessories before erasing anything. If you are transferring information to another phone, finish that transfer and check it first. Samsung notes that removing an account stops access to associated information on the device.

Remove your Samsung account in Settings

For a device you own and can access, Samsung's UK instructions give this route:

1. Open Settings, then Accounts and backup.
2. Choose Manage accounts and select your Samsung account.
3. Choose Remove account and confirm the request.
4. Select Sign out and authenticate with your own Samsung account when prompted.

Menu names vary with the model and software. Samsung also documents opening the account name at the top of Settings and choosing Sign out. Follow the instructions shown on your device rather than guessing at an unfamiliar menu.

Check Google and other accounts separately

A Galaxy phone can have both Samsung and Google accounts. Removing one does not remove the other. Samsung's guide also explains removing a Google account through Settings → Accounts and backup → Manage accounts, selecting the account and confirming removal. Additional identity verification may be required.

Before a factory reset, Samsung advises removing the Google account to avoid Factory Reset Protection preventing setup by a new owner. Check other personal email accounts too. For a company-managed phone, ask the organisation's administrator to release it through its approved process.

Removing an account is not erasing the phone

Account removal and a factory reset do different jobs. After the backup is checked and your accounts are removed, follow Samsung's official reset instructions for the exact model. Do not reset first and hope to resolve an account prompt afterwards.

Samsung warns that a factory reset does not erase a removable SD card. Remove your own SD card and physical SIM before handover. Ask your provider about transferring or removing an eSIM where relevant. Also review registered devices in your Samsung account using Samsung's account-removal guidance.

If you cannot authenticate

Use Samsung or Google's official account-recovery support for your own account. If the device still belongs to a previous owner, ask that owner to remove their account. Do not share passwords or verification codes with a buyer, and do not use services that promise to bypass ownership protection.

Tell EXE if an account prompt, damaged screen or other fault prevents preparation. Our team can review the model, condition and remaining issue before discussing an offer or handover. A request for a quote does not confirm acceptance of an account-locked device.