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

A factory reset erases all your personal data, apps, photos, and settings, then restores your Samsung tablet 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 need to clear a forgotten 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 have a Samsung account and the tablet is turned on). The Settings method works even if you've forgotten your password. Both take about 10 to 15 minutes, though the actual reset can take longer depending on how much data is on the device.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your photos, documents, and any data you want to keep before starting a factory reset, because the process erases everything.
  • You can factory reset through Settings on the tablet itself, even if you've forgotten your password or PIN.
  • The tablet will ask you to confirm the reset twice, and you'll need to enter your Samsung account password if one is linked to the device.
  • After the reset completes, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new.
  • If your tablet is frozen or won't turn on, you may need to use recovery mode instead of the Settings method.

Factory reset through Settings (the standard method)

This is the most straightforward way to reset your tablet if it's working well enough to navigate the menu. Open Settings on your tablet, then scroll down and tap General management (on some older Samsung tablets, this may be labeled About device or System). Look for an option called Reset or Reset options.

Tap Factory data reset or Reset all settings. The tablet will show you a summary of what will be erased — apps, messages, photos, settings, everything except the operating system itself. Read through this carefully. Tap Reset or Delete all to confirm. The tablet will ask you to confirm a second time and may ask for your Samsung account password if your device is linked to one. Enter it, then tap Reset again. The tablet will restart and begin the reset process, which can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is stored.

Once the reset is complete, your tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen — the same screen you saw when you first turned it on. You can then set it up as a new device or sign back into your Samsung account to restore some data like contacts and calendar events (though not apps or photos, which you'll need to reinstall or restore from your backup).

Using Samsung Find Mobile if you're locked out

If you've forgotten your password or PIN and cannot access Settings, you can reset your tablet remotely through Samsung Find Mobile (also called Find My Mobile on older devices). Go to findmymobile.samsung.com on a computer or another device and sign in with the Samsung account that is linked to your tablet.

Once you're logged in, your tablet should appear in the list of devices. Select it, then look for an option labeled Unlock or Factory reset. Click Factory reset. Samsung will send a command to your tablet, and the reset will begin — but only if your tablet is turned on and connected to the internet. If your tablet is off or offline, the reset will happen the next time it connects. This method is faster than waiting for a technician, but it requires that you remember your Samsung account password. If you've forgotten both your tablet password and your Samsung account password, you'll need to go through Samsung's account recovery process, which can take several days.

Recovery mode reset for frozen or unresponsive tablets

If your tablet is frozen, won't turn on, or is so slow that you cannot navigate to Settings, you can force a factory reset using recovery mode. This method works without accessing the normal menu system. First, turn off your tablet completely. If it won't respond to the power button, hold the power button and volume-down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black.

Once the tablet is off, hold the power button and volume-up button together until the Samsung logo appears, then release both buttons. Your tablet will boot into recovery mode, which shows a menu with white text on a black background. Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and press the power button to select it. The menu will ask you to confirm — navigate to Yes and press the power button. The reset will begin when ready. Do not turn off the tablet during this process, even if it appears to be frozen; recovery mode resets can take 10 to 20 minutes.

When the reset is complete, the menu will show Reboot system now highlighted. Press the power button to restart your tablet. It will boot into the initial setup screen.

What to back up before you reset

A factory reset erases everything except the operating system, so plan what you want to keep. Photos and videos are easiest to back up: connect your tablet to a computer with a USB cable, or upload them to Google Photos, OneDrive, or another cloud service. Documents and files can be uploaded to Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. Contacts and calendar events are automatically backed up if you're signed into a Google account or Samsung account, so you can restore them after the reset by signing back in.

App data — like game progress, app settings, or saved documents within apps — is usually lost unless the app itself backs it up to the cloud (many do, but not all). Check the settings of any important apps before you reset. Text messages and call history are not backed up automatically; if you need them, use a third-party backup app from the Google Play Store before you reset, or take screenshots of important conversations.

After the reset: what to expect

Your tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, asking you to choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi. You'll be prompted to sign into a Google account or Samsung account. If you sign into the same Google account you used before, your contacts, calendar, and some app settings will restore automatically. If you sign into your Samsung account, you can restore photos and documents that were backed up to Samsung Cloud.

Apps will not restore automatically — you'll need to reinstall them from the Google Play Store. If you had a lot of apps, this can take an hour or more depending on your internet speed. Your tablet will be noticeably faster after a reset, especially if it was running slowly before, because the reset removes temporary files and clears out background processes.

When to call a technician instead

If your tablet won't turn on at all, won't charge, or shows only a black screen even after you've tried recovery mode, a factory reset won't help — the problem is likely hardware-related. Contact Samsung support or visit an authorized repair center. If you've forgotten your Samsung account password and cannot access Find Mobile, you'll need to go through Samsung's account recovery process on their website, which requires you to verify your identity and can take a few days.

If you're selling or giving away your tablet and want to make sure all your data is truly gone, a factory reset is sufficient for most purposes. Some security-conscious users prefer to use a data-wiping app before resetting, but this is not necessary for typical personal use. A standard factory reset removes all your personal information from the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account?

Yes, a factory reset removes all accounts from your tablet, including Google and Samsung accounts. After the reset, you can sign back into the same account during setup, and your contacts, calendar, and some settings will restore. Apps and photos won't restore unless you backed them up separately.

Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?

No. Once you confirm the reset in Settings or recovery mode, the process cannot be stopped or undone. Do not turn off your tablet during the reset, as this can damage the operating system. Let it complete, even if it takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Will a factory reset fix a slow tablet?

Often yes. A factory reset removes temporary files, clears the cache, and stops background processes that may be slowing your tablet down. If your tablet is still slow after the reset, the problem may be a hardware issue or a faulty app you reinstall.

Do I need Wi-Fi to factory reset my tablet?

No. You can factory reset through Settings or recovery mode without Wi-Fi. However, you'll need Wi-Fi during the initial setup after the reset if you want to sign into your Google or Samsung account and restore data.

What's the difference between a soft reset and a factory reset?

A soft reset (holding the power button until the tablet restarts) clears temporary files and stops frozen apps, but keeps all your data and settings. A factory reset erases everything and returns the tablet to its original state. Try a soft reset first if your tablet is just running slowly; use a factory reset only if you want to erase all data or the soft reset doesn't help.