What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Android tablet — all apps, photos, documents, settings, and accounts — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is useful when you are selling or giving away the tablet, when it is running slowly and you want a fresh start, when an app has corrupted your system, or when you have forgotten your lock screen password and cannot get back in.
The reset itself takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on the tablet. After it finishes, you will see the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned on the device. You will need to sign in with a Google account to restore your apps and settings afterward, or set up the tablet as new if you prefer.
Before you start, back up anything you want to keep. A factory reset cannot be undone. Photos, documents, and other files stored only on the tablet will be gone.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset wipes all data and returns your tablet to its original state, and cannot be reversed.
- You can reset through Settings on most tablets, or through recovery mode if you cannot access Settings.
- Back up your photos, documents, and other files to Google Drive, a computer, or cloud storage before you start.
- After the reset finishes, you will need to sign in with a Google account to set up the tablet again.
- If you are locked out by a forgotten password, you may be able to reset without losing data by signing in with your Google account instead.
Backing up your files before you reset
Google Drive is the simplest backup method for most Android users. Open the Google Drive app, tap the plus button at the bottom right, select "Upload", and choose the files or folders you want to save. They will stay in your Drive account even after the reset, and you can read them to the tablet afterward or to any other device.
For photos and videos, Google Photos offers unlimited storage if you choose "Storage saver" quality (slightly compressed). Open Google Photos, tap your profile picture at the top right, go to "Photos settings", and turn on "Backup and sync". The app will upload everything automatically.
If you have documents in Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides, they are already backed up to your Google account automatically. You do not need to do anything — they will be there after the reset.
For files stored only on the tablet and not in any cloud service, connect the tablet to a computer with a USB cable, open the file manager on your computer, and copy the files to a folder on your hard drive.
Factory reset through Settings (the standard method)
This method works if your tablet turns on, you can unlock it, and you can reach the Settings app. Open Settings and look for a section called "System", "About tablet", or "Reset" — the exact name varies by manufacturer and Android version.
Tap "Reset options" or "Reset" and look for "Erase all data" or "Factory reset". You may see a warning that all data will be erased. Tap the button to confirm. The tablet will ask you to enter your lock screen password or PIN to proceed — this is a safety measure to prevent accidental resets.
After you confirm, the tablet will restart and show a progress screen. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during this time. The reset usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. When it finishes, you will see the initial setup screen asking you to choose a language and sign in.
If you cannot find the reset option in Settings, check your tablet's manual or the manufacturer's website. Samsung tablets call it "Reset" under "General management". Amazon Fire tablets have a different process described in the next section.
Factory reset through recovery mode (if you cannot access Settings)
If your tablet will not turn on, is stuck in a loop, or you cannot unlock it, you can reset through recovery mode. This method varies slightly by manufacturer, but the basic steps are the same on most Android tablets.
Turn off the tablet completely. Then hold down the power button and volume-up button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds until you see a menu appear. This is recovery mode. Use the volume buttons to move up and down, and the power button to select.
Look for an option that says "Wipe data" or "Factory reset" and select it. The tablet will ask you to confirm. Select "Yes" and wait for the process to finish. When it is done, select "Reboot system now" and the tablet will restart.
If the button combination does not work, search online for "[your tablet model] recovery mode" to find the correct key combination. Different manufacturers use different buttons — some use power and volume-down instead, or power and home.
Resetting an Amazon Fire tablet
Fire tablets have their own reset process. Open Settings, go to "Device Options", and tap "Reset to Factory Defaults". Confirm the reset and wait for the tablet to restart.
If you cannot access Settings, hold down the power button for 40 seconds until the tablet shuts down. Then hold the power button again for 40 seconds. The tablet will boot into recovery mode. Select "Wipe cache partition" and then "Factory reset". Confirm and wait for the restart.
What to do after the reset is complete
When the tablet restarts, you will see the setup screen. Choose your language and region, then connect to a Wi-Fi network. Google will ask you to sign in with a Google account. Use the same account you used before the reset if you want to restore your apps and settings automatically.
If you used Google Photos or Google Drive to back up files, sign in with the same Google account and the apps will offer to restore your photos and documents. You can also read files from Google Drive manually by opening the Drive app and tapping the files you want.
If you set up the tablet as new without signing in to a Google account, you can add the account later by going to Settings, "Accounts", and tapping "Add account".
Troubleshooting a reset that will not start or finish
If the reset starts but gets stuck on a progress screen, try a hard restart. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds until the tablet shuts down completely, then turn it back on. If it is still stuck, try the recovery mode method instead.
If the tablet will not turn on at all after a reset attempt, it may have a hardware problem or a corrupted system file. Plug it into a computer and leave it charging for at least an hour, then try turning it on again. If that does not work, contact the manufacturer's support line or visit a repair shop.
If you see an error message during the reset, write down the exact message and search for it online along with your tablet model. Error messages usually point to a specific problem — a corrupted file, insufficient storage space, or a hardware issue — and the solution depends on which one it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Google account?
The reset erases the account from the tablet, but not from Google's servers. When you set up the tablet again and sign in with the same Google account, your apps, contacts, and calendar will restore automatically. Your Google account itself is not deleted.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset cannot be reversed. This is why backing up your files before you reset is important. If you have files backed up to Google Drive or Google Photos, you can restore them after the reset by signing in with your Google account.
What if I forgot my Google password and cannot sign in after the reset?
Go to the Google account recovery page on a computer and follow the steps to reset your password. You will need access to a recovery email or phone number you set up with the account. Once you reset your password, use the new one to sign in on the tablet.
Do I need to remove my SD card before I reset?
No. A factory reset only erases the tablet's internal storage, not files on an SD card. If you want to keep files on the card, you can leave it in. If you want to erase the card too, remove it before the reset, then format it separately on a computer.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most resets take 10 to 30 minutes from start to finish. Tablets with more storage or older processors may take longer. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery while the reset is running, or you may corrupt the system.