What Resetting Your Tablet Does

A factory reset erases everything on your tablet and returns it to the state it was in when it left the manufacturer. This means all your apps, photos, documents, messages, and settings disappear. The operating system itself stays the same — a reset does not upgrade or downgrade your Android or iPad software.

A factory reset is useful when your tablet runs slowly, freezes often, or you plan to sell or give it away. It is also the fix when you forget your lock screen password and cannot get back in. Before you reset, understand that this action cannot be undone — once you confirm, the data is gone.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset wipes all apps, photos, documents, and personal settings but keeps your operating system version the same.
  • Back up your photos, documents, and other files to cloud storage or a computer before you reset, because the reset cannot be reversed.
  • The reset process takes 10 to 30 minutes and requires your tablet to be plugged in and have at least 50 percent battery remaining.
  • You will need your Google account password (Android) or Apple ID password (iPad) to set up your tablet again after the reset completes.
  • If you forget your lock screen password, you can still reset your tablet, but the process differs slightly depending on your device type.

Back Up Your Files Before You Reset

Before you start a factory reset, save anything you want to keep. The reset deletes files stored on your tablet itself — photos in your camera roll, documents in your downloads folder, notes you wrote, and any files saved to internal storage.

For an iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Turn on iCloud Photos if it is not already on, and wait for your photos to upload to Apple's servers. For documents, open each app (Notes, Pages, Numbers) and check that iCloud Drive is enabled in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud. Your files will sync to iCloud and remain accessible after the reset.

For an Android tablet, open Settings, scroll to Accounts, and tap your Google account. Tap Account Sync and make sure Photos, Drive, and Contacts are all turned on. Wait for the sync to finish — you will see a checkmark next to each item. You can also plug your tablet into a computer and copy files to a folder on your hard drive as a second backup.

How to Reset an iPad

On an iPad, open Settings and tap General. Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. You will see a warning that this action cannot be undone — tap Continue.

The iPad will ask for your Apple ID password. Type it in and tap Next. If you have a passcode set, you will need to enter that too. The iPad will then begin erasing. This takes 10 to 20 minutes. Do not turn off your iPad or unplug it during this time. When the process finishes, you will see the setup screen you saw when the iPad was brand new.

If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you can still reset the iPad. On the password screen, tap "Don't Have Access to Your Apple ID?" and follow the prompts to verify your identity using your phone number or recovery email. Apple will send you a code to reset your password, or you can skip this step and set up a new Apple ID after the reset finishes.

How to Reset an Android Tablet

On an Android tablet, open Settings and scroll down to System or About Tablet (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Look for Reset, Factory Reset, or Erase All Data. Tap it, then tap Erase All Data or Factory Reset again to confirm.

The tablet will ask for your Google account password. Enter it and tap Next. The tablet will begin erasing. This takes 15 to 30 minutes. Keep your tablet plugged in and do not turn it off. When the process finishes, you will see the setup screen.

If you forget your Google account password, you can still reset the tablet. On the password screen, tap "Forgot password?" and Google will send a recovery code to your phone or email. If you do not have access to those, you can skip this step and create a new Google account after the reset finishes, though you will lose access to any apps you purchased with your original account.

What to Do If Your Tablet Is Frozen or Locked

If your tablet is frozen and will not respond to taps, force it to shut down first. On an iPad, press and hold the top button and either volume button together until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the iPad. Wait 30 seconds, then press the top button again to turn it back on.

On an Android tablet, press and hold the power button for 10 to 20 seconds until the screen goes black. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again. If your tablet still will not respond, plug it in and wait five minutes — sometimes a completely drained battery prevents the device from turning on.

If you are locked out because you forgot your passcode, you cannot unlock the tablet without resetting it. For an iPad, you will need your Apple ID password. For an Android tablet, you will need your Google account password. If you do not have either, you will need to contact Apple or Google to verify your identity before you can reset the device.

After Your Tablet Resets: Setting It Up Again

When your tablet finishes resetting, it will show the setup screen. For an iPad, you will see "Hello" and a prompt to swipe up. For an Android tablet, you will see "Welcome" and a prompt to tap the screen. Follow the on-screen steps to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to your account.

You will need your Google account password (Android) or Apple ID password (iPad) to proceed. If you have a backup in iCloud (iPad) or Google Drive (Android), the setup will offer to restore your apps, contacts, and some settings from that backup. This does not restore your photos or documents if you backed them up separately — you will need to open those apps and let them sync again.

The full setup takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how many apps you have and how fast your internet connection is. Your tablet will read and install each app in the background, so it may be slow for the first hour after setup finishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my tablet?

Yes. A factory reset erases everything on your tablet, including any malicious software. However, if you restore from a backup that was infected, the malware may return. To be safe, restore only your photos and documents, not your full backup, and reinstall your apps fresh from the app store.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

No. Once you confirm the reset, the process cannot be stopped or reversed. The tablet will continue erasing even if you try to turn it off. Let it finish — interrupting it may damage the device.

What if I reset my tablet and forgot to back up my photos?

Once a factory reset finishes, your photos are gone and cannot be recovered. This is why backing up before you reset is important. For the future, turn on iCloud Photos (iPad) or Google Photos (Android) so your photos upload automatically as you take them.

Do I need to reset my tablet if it is running slowly?

Not always. Try closing unused apps, clearing your browser cache, and restarting your tablet first. Uninstall apps you no longer use. If your tablet is still slow after these steps, a factory reset may help, but it is not the first thing to try.

Can I reset my tablet if the battery is almost dead?

You should plug your tablet in before you start. A reset requires enough power to erase the entire storage, and if the battery dies during the process, your tablet may not work afterward. Plug it in and let it charge to at least 50 percent before you begin.