Factory reset

[Sigma]

This has been said many times already, but PLEASE factory reset after installing the beta from pie.  This actually does fix quite a few issues.  I have no issues with animations afterwards (not saying they absolutely don't need polishing).  A few other things have smoothed out too, and glitches are less common.

So please, back up and factory reset!

[CarolinaMīC]

Same here. I will use factory reset as a last resort.

[GODLOVESYOUALWAYS]

Would wiping the Cache Partition help instead of a complete factory data reset? If you do a reset, you lose everything you download. whether it's backed up or not, such as Amazon Books, Amazon Music, all saved passwords, all Google play books downloads, and I have a lot of all of these. I'm just wondering if we're not having issues, why we should do a complete factory data reset?

[Sigma]

That would fix some things, but not everything. I encourage a cache wipe at least.

[GODLOVESYOUALWAYS]

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate your reply.

[CarolinaMīC]

Folks are suggesting factory resets based off tribal knowledge...and part of it seems like scare tactics...(why I couldn't tell ya). Obviously if your phone is completely jacked everyone knows a factory reset will get you basically get back to fresh out the box. I haven't been able to discover any manufacturer suggestions on factory resets as a general practice for an OS updgrade. However, it does seem like they refer to it as a last resort. If they suggested factory resets for upgrades, they would probably see an influx of calls from people needing help as a result. Frequent reboots and staying on top of updates for apps should be just fine in most cases. However, if you're a person who downloads lots of unbranded apps...then I might see a need for a factory reset. But if you're stocking to trusted apps, again, you shouldn't have wild issues.

[TopherLee]

it's a good idea, ALWAYS, not just with beta versions, but official stable OTA versions as well. As much as our devices are on, in use, etc, the repeated downloading of new software CAN and almost ALWAYS does create issues with residual files getting left behind while new ones are overwritten, sometimes with new files, etc. so the old files aren't always deleted and CAN bring issues. Doing a factory reset after a major download is not only a good idea, it's the fastest and best way to remove old residual files left behind from an old OS. Plus, it does feel cool to reset and make you feel like you have a new phone again, especially over time...

[CarolinaMīC]

It seems odd that Samsung would not suggest a factory reset if it was as necessary as you're making it out to be. If the best practice was a reset, don't you think the manufacturer would say so? It's obvious that a factory reset is the only way to start fresh. I mean if you want to be sure your phone is at it's best then why not back up and factory reset after every single app update? You'd basically never use your phone because you'd be doing factory resets everyday so you could clean up all extra files and have an optimized system. The updates were most likely designed so that the average user could run them without having to go hog wild on resets. I get what you're saying; however, it could be spreading false alarm.

[jhs39]

Doing a factory reset when moving between Android versions like from Pie to Android 10 is always the best practice and has nothing to do with this being a beta. Some other phone brands like Xiaomi and Pixel explicitly recommend it.