A factory reset wipes your tablet and returns it to its original state

A factory reset erases all your personal data, apps, and settings from your Samsung tablet and restores it to the condition it was in when it left the factory. This is useful if your tablet is running slowly, you're selling it, you're giving it away, or you've forgotten your PIN or password. The process is permanent—once you start, you cannot undo it—so back up anything you want to keep before you begin.

Samsung tablets offer two main ways to factory reset: through the Settings menu on the tablet itself, or through Samsung Find Mobile (if you've set it up and the tablet is connected to the internet). The Settings method works on any Samsung tablet and requires only your PIN, password, or biometric unlock. The Find Mobile method works remotely if you've registered your tablet with a Samsung account beforehand.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your photos, documents, and any data you want to keep before starting a factory reset, because the process permanently deletes everything on the tablet.
  • The fastest method is Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes and requires only your unlock PIN or password.
  • If you've forgotten your PIN or password, you can reset the tablet using Samsung Find Mobile from another device, provided you registered the tablet with a Samsung account.
  • After a factory reset completes, the tablet will restart and ask you to set it up again, including choosing a language and signing into a Google account.

How to factory reset through Settings

This is the standard method and works on all Samsung tablets. Open the Settings app (the gear icon), then scroll down and tap General Management. Tap Reset, then tap Factory Data Reset. The tablet will show you a summary of what will be deleted and ask you to confirm. Tap Reset again to proceed.

The tablet will ask for your PIN, password, or fingerprint to confirm you own it. Enter that information. The reset process will then begin—you'll see a progress bar. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the power cable during this time. The process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new.

Using Samsung Find Mobile if you've forgotten your unlock code

If you've forgotten your PIN, password, or pattern lock, you can still reset the tablet remotely using Samsung Find Mobile, provided you registered the tablet with a Samsung account when you first set it up. Go to findmobile.samsung.com from any web browser on another device. Sign in with the Samsung account you used on the tablet.

Once you're signed in, you should see your tablet listed. Click on it, then look for an option called Unlock or Factory Reset (the exact wording varies by region and tablet model). Select Factory Reset. Samsung will send a command to your tablet over the internet. The tablet must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data for this to work. The reset will proceed as described above, and the tablet will restart when finished.

If your tablet does not appear in Samsung Find Mobile, it means it was not registered with a Samsung account, or Find Mobile was not enabled. In that case, you will need to contact Samsung support or visit a Samsung service center, as there is no other remote reset method.

What happens after the factory reset completes

When the tablet restarts after a factory reset, it will display the setup wizard—the same screens you saw when you first turned it on. You'll be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into a Google account. You do not have to use the same Google account you used before; you can create a new one or sign into a different account.

After you complete the setup wizard, the tablet is ready to use. All your previous apps, photos, messages, and settings are gone. If you backed up your data to Google Drive, OneDrive, or Samsung Cloud before the reset, you can sign into those accounts and restore your files and photos. Apps you downloaded from the Google Play Store can be reinstalled by going to Play Store > Tap your profile icon > Manage apps & device > Manage, then tapping Install next to each app you want back.

Back up your data before resetting

Before you factory reset, save anything you want to keep. The easiest way is to sign into your Google account on the tablet, then go to Settings > Accounts > Google and make sure Backup is turned on. This backs up your contacts, calendar events, and some app data to Google Drive. Photos and videos can be backed up to Google Photos by opening the Photos app, tapping your profile icon, and turning on Backup.

For other files—documents, spreadsheets, or media files stored locally on the tablet—connect the tablet to a computer via USB cable and copy them to your computer's hard drive. Alternatively, upload them to OneDrive, Dropbox, or another cloud storage service before you reset. Samsung Cloud also backs up some data if you have a Samsung account, though the free storage is limited.

When to call Samsung support instead

If your tablet is frozen and will not respond to any button presses, you may need to perform a hard reset (also called a force restart) before attempting a factory reset. This is different: a hard reset straightforward forces the tablet to shut down and restart, without erasing data. To hard reset most Samsung tablets, hold down the Power button and Volume Down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until the tablet vibrates and the Samsung logo appears.

If the tablet still will not respond, or if you see error messages during the reset process, contact Samsung support through their website or visit a Samsung service center. If you've forgotten your Samsung account password and cannot access Find Mobile, you'll need to verify your identity with Samsung before they can help you reset the tablet remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account from the tablet?

Yes. A factory reset erases all accounts, including your Google account. After the reset, you'll need to sign back in during the setup wizard. If you don't remember your Google password, you can recover it at accounts.google.com before you reset the tablet.

Can I factory reset a Samsung tablet without a password if I don't have Find Mobile set up?

No. If you've forgotten your unlock code and Find Mobile is not available, you cannot reset the tablet yourself. You'll need to contact Samsung support or visit a Samsung service center with proof of ownership.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset process itself usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. The tablet will restart and show the setup wizard, which takes another 5 to 10 minutes depending on your internet speed and how many options you configure.

Will factory reset remove viruses or malware from my tablet?

Yes. A factory reset erases everything on the tablet, including any malware. However, if malware is on your Google account itself (which is rare), signing back into that account after the reset could reinfect the tablet. If you suspect your Google account is compromised, change your Google password before signing back in.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

No. Once the reset process begins, you cannot stop it. Do not turn off the tablet or disconnect the power cable. Let the process complete, even if it takes longer than expected.