What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your tablet — all apps, photos, documents, settings, and accounts — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. The operating system stays the same, but your personal data is gone. You would do this if you're selling or giving away the tablet, if it's running so slowly that nothing else has helped, or if you've forgotten your password and can't get back in.

Before you start, understand that this is permanent. Once you reset, you cannot undo it unless you have a backup. If you have photos, documents, or anything else you want to keep, back them up to cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud) or to a computer before you begin.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset deletes all your personal data and returns the tablet to its original state, and you cannot undo it once it starts.
  • Back up anything you want to keep — photos, documents, contacts — before you begin the reset.
  • On an iPad, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings; on Android, go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data.
  • The reset takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on the tablet, and you'll need to set it up again from scratch when it's done.
  • If you're locked out by a password or account, you may need to contact the manufacturer or prove ownership before you can reset.

Factory reset on an iPad

On an iPad running iOS 16 or later, open Settings, then tap General. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset, then tap Erase All Content and Settings. The iPad will ask you to confirm and may ask for your Apple ID password — this is a security step to prevent someone else from erasing your device remotely. Enter your password if prompted.

If you don't know your Apple ID password, you'll need to reset it through Apple's website before you can complete the factory reset. Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID email, and follow the steps to reset your password. Once you've done that, return to Settings and try the reset again.

The reset will take 10 to 30 minutes. Your iPad will restart several times and show a progress bar. When it's done, you'll see the setup screen, as if the iPad is brand new. You can set it up with a new Apple ID, restore from a backup if you have one, or leave it blank if you're giving it to someone else.

Factory reset on an Android tablet

On an Android tablet, open Settings, then tap System (or About tablet on some models). Look for Reset Options or Reset, then tap Erase All Data or Factory Reset. The exact names vary by manufacturer — Samsung calls it Reset, Amazon Fire tablets call it Reset to Factory Defaults — but the location is always in Settings under System or About.

Android will ask you to confirm and may ask for your Google account password. Like Apple, Google uses this to prevent unauthorized erasure. If you don't remember your Google password, go to myaccount.google.com, click Security on the left, and follow the steps to reset it. Then return to Settings and try again.

The reset will take 10 to 30 minutes and your tablet will restart multiple times. When it's done, you'll see the initial setup screen. You can sign in with a Google account to restore apps and data from a previous backup, or set it up as a new device.

What to do if you're locked out by a password

If you've forgotten your password and can't get into Settings, you have limited options. On an iPad, you can use another Apple device (iPhone, Mac) to erase it remotely through Find My. Open Find My on the other device, select your iPad, and choose Erase This Device. This works only if Find My was turned on before you got locked out.

On Android, if you've forgotten your Google password, go to myaccount.google.com and reset it. Once you've done that, restart the tablet and enter your Google account credentials at the lock screen. You should then be able to get into Settings and perform a factory reset normally.

If you don't have access to another device and don't remember your account password, contact the tablet's manufacturer. Apple and Google both have account recovery processes, but they require you to prove you own the device — usually by answering security questions or providing a recovery email. This process can take several days.

What happens after the reset

Once the reset is complete, your tablet is blank and ready to set up. You'll be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with an account (Apple ID for iPad, Google account for Android). If you have a backup from before the reset, you can restore it at this point — your apps, photos, and settings will come back, but any problems that existed before the reset will also return.

If you're giving the tablet to someone else, don't sign in with your account. Leave it at the setup screen so the new owner can set it up with their own account. If you do sign in with your account and then hand it over, the new owner will have access to your email, photos, and payment methods.

Backing up before you reset

The safest way to back up an iPad is through iCloud. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and make sure iCloud Backup is on. Plug in the iPad, connect to Wi-Fi, and let it back up — this usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have. You can also back up to a Mac or Windows computer using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows).

For Android, the easiest backup is through Google. Go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Data & Privacy, and make sure Web & App Activity is on. This backs up your apps, contacts, calendar, and settings. For photos and documents, use Google Photos and Google Drive — both have free tiers that give you enough space for most personal files.

When a factory reset won't solve the problem

A factory reset fixes software problems — apps crashing, the system running slowly, settings getting corrupted. It does not fix hardware problems. If your tablet won't turn on, the screen is cracked, the battery won't hold a charge, or the speaker is broken, a factory reset won't help. In those cases, you need to contact the manufacturer or take it to a repair shop.

If your tablet is running slowly but you don't want to erase everything, try these steps first: restart the tablet, uninstall apps you don't use, clear the cache (in Settings > Apps), and make sure you have at least 1 GB of free storage. These steps solve the problem in many cases and take only a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?

No. Once you confirm the reset, it begins when ready and cannot be stopped. Do not unplug the tablet or turn it off while it's resetting — this can damage the system. Let it finish, even if it takes 30 minutes or longer.

Will a factory reset remove the operating system?

No. The operating system (iOS or Android) stays on the tablet. Only your personal data — apps, photos, documents, accounts, and settings — is erased. The tablet will still run the same version of iOS or Android it had before.

Can I recover files after a factory reset?

If you backed up to iCloud or Google before the reset, you can restore those files when you set up the tablet again. If you didn't back up, the files are gone. Data recovery software exists, but it's expensive and doesn't always work on tablets.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting?

No. A factory reset does not affect the SIM card. If your tablet has cellular service, the SIM card will still work after the reset. You don't need to remove it.

What if the tablet is still slow after the reset?

If slowness returns after a few weeks, the problem is likely how you're using the tablet — too many apps running, not enough storage space, or a resource-heavy app. If it's slow when ready after the reset, before you've installed anything, the tablet may have a hardware problem and you should contact the manufacturer.