What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung tablet — all apps you installed, photos, messages, accounts, and settings — and returns it to the state it left the factory. This is different from a regular restart. A restart turns the tablet off and back on but keeps all your data. A factory reset removes all your data.
You might need a factory reset if the tablet is running slowly because of accumulated junk files and background processes, if you are selling or giving it away, if an app keeps crashing and won't stop even after uninstalling it, or if the tablet has a virus or malware you cannot remove another way. A factory reset is also the last step to try before assuming the hardware itself is broken.
Before you start, back up anything you want to keep. Photos, documents, and contacts can be backed up to a cloud service like Google Drive or Samsung Cloud. Once you begin the reset, there is no way to undo it on the tablet itself.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases all data on your tablet and returns it to its original state, so back up photos, documents, and contacts to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud first.
- You can reset your tablet through Settings by going to General Management, then Reset, then Factory Data Reset.
- You will need your Samsung account password or Google account password to complete the reset, depending on which account is linked to the tablet.
- The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes, and your tablet will restart several times during this time — do not turn it off or unplug it.
- After the reset completes, your tablet will ask you to set up as if it were brand new, including signing into accounts and choosing your language.
Back up your data before you start
Open the Settings app on your tablet. Scroll down and tap Accounts and backup (on some Samsung tablets this is called Accounts). Tap Backup and restore or Samsung Cloud, depending on which option appears.
If you use Samsung Cloud, tap Back up data and select what you want to save — contacts, messages, app data, home screen layout, and settings are common options. Tap Back up now. If you use Google Drive instead, open the Google Drive app, tap the menu button (three horizontal lines), tap Settings, then Backup, and follow the prompts to back up your photos and documents.
For photos and videos specifically, you can also use Google Photos. Open Google Photos, tap your profile picture in the top right, tap Photos settings, tap Backup and sync, and turn it on. This backs up photos automatically to your Google account so you can read them later on any device.
Reset through the Settings app
Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap General management. Tap Reset. You will see several reset options — tap Factory data reset or Reset all settings (the exact name varies by tablet model and Android version).
The tablet will show you a warning that all data will be erased. Read it to confirm you are resetting the right device. Tap Reset or Delete all to confirm. The tablet will ask for your password — this is the password for the Samsung account or Google account linked to your tablet, not your lock screen PIN. Enter it and tap Continue.
The tablet will restart and begin the reset process. You will see a progress bar or spinning icon. This can take 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet, unplug it, or remove the battery during this time. The tablet may restart several times — this is normal.
What happens after the reset completes
When the reset finishes, your tablet will show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. You will be asked to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into a Google account. You must sign into a Google account to use most Samsung tablets — this is required by Android, not optional.
After you sign in, the tablet will read and reinstall system apps. This takes another few minutes. You can then sign into your Samsung account if you have one, and restore your backed-up data from Samsung Cloud or Google Drive. Your photos, contacts, and app data will come back, but the apps themselves will need to be reinstalled from the Google Play Store.
If you backed up to Samsung Cloud, go to Settings, tap Accounts and backup, tap Samsung Cloud, and tap Restore. If you backed up to Google Drive, open Google Drive, find your backed-up files, and read them to the tablet.
Reset using recovery mode if Settings does not work
If your tablet will not start normally, or if the Settings app is crashing and you cannot reach the reset option, you can reset it using recovery mode. This is a special menu built into the tablet's hardware that works even if Android will not start.
Turn off the tablet completely. Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons until you see the Samsung logo or a recovery menu. Release the buttons. Use the Volume buttons to move up and down through the menu options, and use the Power button to select. Look for an option that says Wipe data / factory reset or Factory data reset. Select it and confirm.
Recovery mode reset works the same way as the Settings reset — it erases everything and returns the tablet to factory condition. It takes the same 5 to 15 minutes, and you will need your account password when it finishes. The main difference is that recovery mode works when the tablet cannot start normally.
Troubleshooting if the reset gets stuck
If the reset starts but the progress bar does not move for more than 20 minutes, or if the tablet shows an error message, try a hard reset. Turn off the tablet. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button together for 10 seconds, then release. This forces the tablet to shut down completely, even if it appears frozen.
Wait 30 seconds, then turn the tablet back on normally by pressing the Power button. If it starts and you can reach Settings, try the factory reset again. If it still gets stuck, the tablet may have a hardware problem or a corrupted system file that a factory reset cannot fix. At that point, contact Samsung support or visit a repair shop.
If you see a message saying "This device is managed by your organization" or "Device is locked by Find My Mobile", the tablet is linked to a Samsung account with remote lock enabled. You will need the password for that account to complete the reset. If you do not remember the password, visit the Samsung Find My Mobile website, sign in with your account, and unlock the device from there before trying the reset again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove a virus or malware?
A factory reset will remove most viruses and malware because it erases all files and reinstalls the system from scratch. However, if malware is in the tablet's firmware (the lowest level of software), a factory reset may not remove it. If your tablet still behaves strangely after a factory reset, run a malware scan with an antivirus app from the Google Play Store, or contact Samsung support.
Can I reset my tablet if I forgot my password?
If you forgot your Google account password, visit the Google Account Recovery page on a computer, enter your email address, and follow the steps to reset your password. You will need access to a recovery email or phone number you set up with the account. Once you reset your Google password, you can use it to complete the factory reset on your tablet.
How long does a factory reset take?
The actual reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the tablet. After the reset finishes, the initial setup takes another 5 to 10 minutes. The entire process from start to finish is usually 15 to 30 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during any of this time.
Will I lose my apps after a factory reset?
Yes, all apps you installed will be erased. System apps that came with the tablet will be reinstalled automatically. After setup completes, you can reinstall your apps by opening the Google Play Store, tapping your profile picture, tapping Manage apps and device, and tapping the Manage tab to see your installed apps. Tap Install next to any app you want to put back on the tablet.
Do I need to charge my tablet before resetting it?
Yes. Make sure your tablet has at least 50 percent battery before you start the reset. If the battery dies during the reset, the tablet may not start properly afterward. Plug it in and let it charge to at least 50 percent, then start the reset process.