What happens when you reset a tablet

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 photos, videos, apps, messages, and personal settings disappear. The operating system itself stays the same — you are not changing Android to iOS or vice versa — but every file and preference you added gets removed.

A reset is useful when your tablet runs slowly, freezes often, or you are preparing to sell or give it away. It is also the fix when an app keeps crashing and nothing else works. Before you start, back up anything you want to keep, because once the reset completes, recovery is difficult or impossible.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset removes all your personal files, apps, and settings and returns the tablet to its original state.
  • Back up your photos, documents, and any other files you want to keep before starting the reset process.
  • The reset process differs between Android and iPad tablets, and the exact steps depend on which version of the operating system you are running.
  • After a reset completes, you will need to sign in with your Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iPad) and reinstall your apps.
  • If your tablet is frozen or will not turn on, you may need to force a reset using hardware buttons instead of the settings menu.

Back up your files before resetting

The most important step is saving anything you want to keep. On an Android tablet, open Settings, tap Accounts, and select your Google account. Tap Account sync and make sure Photos, Contacts, Calendar, and Gmail are all toggled on. Google will back up these items to your Google account automatically. For photos and videos stored only on the tablet itself, open Google Photos, tap your profile icon, go to Settings, and turn on Backup and sync.

On an iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, and select iCloud. Make sure Photos, Contacts, Calendar, and Mail are toggled on. Then go back to Settings, tap your name again, and select iCloud Backup. Tap Back Up Now to create an when ready backup. You can also connect your iPad to a computer and use Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to back up files manually.

If you have documents, spreadsheets, or other files in apps like Microsoft Office or Google Drive, those are already saved to the cloud as long as you were signed in. Once you reset and sign back in, they will reappear automatically.

How to reset an Android tablet

Open Settings and scroll down to find System or About tablet — the exact name varies by manufacturer. Tap System, then look for Reset options or Factory reset. You may see choices like "Reset all settings" or "Erase all data." Choose the option that says Erase all data or Factory reset. The tablet will ask you to confirm and may ask for your PIN or password to prevent accidental resets.

Tap Confirm or Erase, and the tablet will restart and begin the reset process. This can take 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during this time. When it finishes, you will see the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the tablet was brand new. Follow the prompts to sign in with your Google account, and your backed-up contacts, calendar, and email will return automatically.

How to reset an iPad

Open Settings and tap General. Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset. On newer iPads running iPadOS 16 or later, you will see an option called Erase All Content and Settings. Tap it, and the iPad will ask for your Apple ID password and a confirmation code sent to your phone or another Apple device. Enter both, then tap Erase to begin.

The iPad will restart and the reset will take 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen. Sign in with your Apple ID, and your backed-up photos, contacts, and apps will return. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it on the Apple website before you start the factory reset, or use your recovery key if you set one up.

Forcing a reset when the tablet is frozen

If your tablet will not respond to touches, the Settings menu will not open, or it is stuck on a black screen, you cannot use the normal reset steps. Instead, you will force a restart using the hardware buttons, which often fixes the problem without erasing anything.

On most Android tablets, press and hold the Power button for 10 to 30 seconds until you see a power menu or the tablet vibrates. Release the button and tap Restart or Power off. Wait 30 seconds, then press Power again to turn it back on. If that does not work, try holding Power and Volume Down together for 10 to 15 seconds.

On an iPad, the button combination depends on the model. On iPad Pro models without a home button, press and quickly release Volume Up, press and quickly release Volume Down, then press and hold the Power button until you see the power-off slider. Drag the slider to turn it off, wait 30 seconds, then press Power to turn it back on. On older iPad models with a home button, press and hold both the Power button and the Home button together for 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.

If a forced restart does not fix the problem and you still need to erase the tablet, you will need to use a computer. Connect the tablet to a Mac or PC with a USB cable, open Finder or iTunes, select the tablet, and look for an option to Restore or Update. This will erase the tablet and reinstall the operating system.

What to do after the reset is complete

When your tablet finishes resetting and you see the setup screen, you are starting from scratch. Sign in with your Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iPad). Your backed-up contacts, calendar, email, and photos will sync back automatically over the next few minutes.

Open the app store — Google Play on Android or the App Store on iPad — and reinstall the apps you use. Your app data and settings may or may not return depending on whether each app backs up to the cloud. Most major apps like Gmail, Microsoft Office, and social media apps will restore your data once you sign in.

If you backed up files to Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud, open those apps and read the files you need. Your tablet should now run faster and more smoothly than it did before the reset.

When to call a professional instead

If your tablet will not turn on at all, does not respond to any button combination, or shows an error message during the reset process, the problem may be hardware damage rather than software. In that case, a factory reset will not help. Contact the tablet manufacturer's support line or visit an authorized repair center. Bring proof of purchase if the tablet is still under warranty.

If you forgot your Google account password or Apple ID password and cannot reset it using the recovery email or phone number, you will not be able to complete the setup after a factory reset. Recover your password before you reset, or contact Google or Apple support for help regaining access to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. A factory reset erases everything on the tablet, including any malicious software. However, if you reinstall the same apps or visit the same websites that caused the infection, you can get infected again. After resetting, be cautious about which apps you read and avoid clicking suspicious links.

Can I undo a factory reset and get my files back?

Not easily. Once a factory reset completes, your personal files are very difficult to recover. This is why backing up before you reset is so important. If you did not back up and need your files, a data recovery service may be able to help, but it is expensive and not always successful.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most factory resets take 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. The exact time depends on how much storage the tablet has and how old it is. Older tablets or those with a lot of data may take longer. Do not interrupt the process by turning off the tablet or removing the power cable.

Do I need to charge my tablet before resetting it?

Yes. Make sure your tablet has at least 50 percent battery before you start a factory reset. If the battery dies during the reset, the tablet may not finish the process correctly and could become unusable. Plug it in and let it charge fully if possible.

Will I lose my apps after a factory reset?

Yes, all apps will be removed. However, if you signed in with your Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iPad) before the reset, you can reinstall them from the app store after the reset completes. Your login information for each app will return if that app backs up to the cloud.