Cannot restore backup from USB

[MRider91]

My phone was being extremely sluggish and refused to connect to the internet (I checked WiFi and Mobile Data and only my phone was acting up). I decided to do a complete backup of my phone to a 1 TB USB drive. I would've done it via Cloud but guess what you need for that...that's right: the internet and WiFi connection. I did a factory reset (good possibility that there was a virus/malware installed which made me do this panic action). No issues reconnecting to my mobile carrier, importing my contacts/messages/calls from said mobile carrier. No issues reconnecting to WiFi and the speed is back to what is was before; however, I cannot restore my settings from the USB drive that was used because it is asking for a Password. I didn't input one before. I tried all of the passwords that I have (including my Samsung Password and lockscreen PIN). I've even reset my Samsung password MULTIPLE TIMES...still no luck. I was told by Samsung support that this is an issue with Smart Switch...honestly I don't see how. Does anyone have any suggestions or solutions? I've been at this for over 24 hours and am getting tired of dealing with it.  

[Robin999]

When you first set up the phone from new, you would have had to enter some credentials. Usually your Google account details. It's these you need to re-enter to gain access to the phone.

[MRider91]

I do understand and greatly appreciate your advice. If I understand you correctly, if I do another factory reset, login with my Google/Gmail, migrate to Restore from external storage and then click on the USB file in question, I won't be asked for the password again? It'll take the backup and work with it? Please correct me if I misunderstood. 

[Robin999 · Accepted solution]

You'll always be asked for Google credentials before and after any factory reset, unless you fully remove your Google account from the device prior to factory reset.

https://www.samsung.com/nz/support/mobile-devices/what-is-google-frp/

[K Dan]

I am having similar issues since the August security update that was installed on my S23 a few days ago. It takes a few minutes just to get directions to a destination in Google Maps, can't click links and buttons on websites and in apps like Teams. It has made my phone a complete POS.  Should I do a factory reset and then a restore from my Google Drive backup?

[Robin999]

Hi, and welcome to the UK community

Could you please start your own post.

[MRider91]

I'd do a scan on your phone first to see if it's able to locate any viruses or malware. If it still persists, I'd make sure EVERYTHING is backed up and then do a factory reset. 

[MRider91 · Accepted solution]

Update: if the USB drive is plugged into a computer and you are able to see the backup, plug your phone in as well and make sure that you can see the "internal storage" folder in the file icons. Have both folders up at the same time and a simple "drag and drop" off the backup folder to your phone's internal storage will restore your backup. The settings didn't transfer (minor), but my pictures, recordings, contacts, messages, apps, etc were all restored.