What a Factory Reset Does and When to Use It
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung Galaxy tablet—all apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings—and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. After the reset completes, you will see the initial setup screen, as if you had just unboxed the tablet for the first time.
Factory reset your tablet when you plan to sell or give it away, when the device is running slowly and you want a clean start, or when you cannot fix a software problem any other way. Do not factory reset if you have not backed up photos, documents, or other files you want to keep—they will be permanently deleted.
Before you begin, charge your tablet to at least 50 percent battery. A factory reset can take 10 to 30 minutes, and if the battery dies during the process, the tablet may not restart properly.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, files, and any data you want to keep before starting, because a factory reset deletes everything on the tablet.
- Charge your tablet to at least 50 percent battery before you begin the reset process.
- You can factory reset through Settings on the tablet itself, or through Find Mobile (Samsung's remote lock and erase service) if the tablet is lost or you cannot turn it on.
- After the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, and you can sign in with your Samsung account to restore some apps and settings.
- The reset process takes 10 to 30 minutes and the tablet will restart several times—do not interrupt it or turn off the device.
Back Up Your Files Before You Start
Open the Settings app and tap Accounts and backup (or Cloud and accounts on some models). Tap Samsung Cloud or Google Account, depending on which service you use. Tap Backup and select the data you want to save—photos, contacts, calendar, messages, and app data are the most common choices. Tap Back up now and wait for the process to finish. This usually takes a few minutes.
If you have large files like videos or documents, connect your tablet to a computer with a USB cable and drag the files to a folder on your computer. You can also use cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox—read the app from the Google Play Store, sign in, and upload the files you want to keep.
Factory Reset Through Settings
Open Settings and scroll down to find General management (on some tablets it appears as System or About device). Tap Reset or Reset options. You will see several reset choices—tap Factory data reset or Erase all data.
The tablet will show a warning that all data will be deleted. Read it carefully. Tap Reset or Delete all to confirm. If your tablet is password-protected, you may need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password before the reset begins.
The tablet will restart and show a progress bar. Do not turn off the device or unplug it during this time. The reset can take 10 to 30 minutes. Your tablet may restart several times—this is normal. When the reset finishes, the tablet will show the initial setup screen with language and Wi-Fi options.
What to Do If You Cannot Access Settings
If your tablet will not turn on, is frozen, or you cannot reach the Settings app, you can factory reset using hardware buttons. The button combination varies by model, but the most common method is to hold Power and Volume Up together for 10 seconds until the Samsung logo appears. Release the buttons and wait for the recovery menu to load.
Use the volume buttons to highlight Wipe data / factory reset and press the power button to select it. The next screen will ask you to confirm—highlight Yes and press power. The reset will begin. Do not interrupt the process. When it finishes, highlight Reboot system now and press power to restart the tablet.
If this method does not work for your model, search online for "[your tablet model] recovery mode" to find the exact button combination. Different Samsung tablets use different key combinations.
Use Find Mobile If Your Tablet Is Lost or Locked
If you cannot physically access your tablet, you can erase it remotely using Find Mobile, Samsung's service for locating and managing lost devices. Go to findmobile.samsung.com on a computer and sign in with the Samsung account you used on the tablet.
Click Find My Mobile and select your tablet from the list of devices. Click More and then Unlock or Factory Reset. Choose Factory Reset and confirm. The tablet will be erased the next time it connects to the internet. This method works even if the tablet is turned off, as long as it has a Samsung account set up.
Set Up Your Tablet After the Reset
When the reset finishes, the tablet will show the initial setup screen. Choose your language and tap Next. Connect to a Wi-Fi network. On the next screen, sign in with your Google account or Samsung account—this is important because it lets you restore apps and settings you backed up earlier.
If you backed up data to Samsung Cloud, the tablet will offer to restore it. Tap Restore and select which data you want back—photos, contacts, calendar, and app data will appear if you backed them up. If you backed up to Google, your Google account will automatically restore your Google apps and contacts.
After setup finishes, go back to Settings and check that everything looks correct. Your tablet is now reset and ready to use.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not interrupt the reset process by turning off the tablet, unplugging it, or removing the battery. If the reset is interrupted, the tablet may not restart, and you may need to take it to a Samsung service center to fix it.
Do not forget to back up your files before you start. A factory reset cannot be undone, and deleted files cannot be recovered. If you have photos or documents you care about, back them up to cloud storage or a computer first.
Do not assume your Samsung account password is the same as your Google password. If you are asked to sign in after the reset and you cannot remember your password, use the password recovery option on the Samsung or Google sign-in screen. You will need access to the email address associated with your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Google account?
Yes, the reset removes your Google account from the tablet. After the reset, you will need to sign in again with your Google account during the setup process. If you do not remember your password, use the password recovery option on the Google sign-in screen.
Can I cancel a factory reset after it starts?
No, once the reset begins, you cannot stop it. The process will continue until it finishes. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery, as this can damage the device and prevent it from restarting.
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how much data is on the tablet and which model you have. The tablet may restart several times during the process—this is normal. Wait until you see the initial setup screen before assuming the reset is complete.
Will I lose my Samsung account after a factory reset?
The reset removes your Samsung account from the tablet, but the account itself still exists. You can sign back in with the same username and password after the reset finishes. Any data you backed up to Samsung Cloud can be restored once you sign in again.
What if my tablet is stuck on the setup screen after the reset?
If the tablet will not move past the initial setup screen, try restarting it by holding the power button for 10 seconds. If that does not work, try the hardware reset method using the power and volume buttons. If the tablet still does not respond, contact Samsung support or visit a service center.