What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Galaxy Tab A — all apps you installed, photos, videos, documents, and settings — and returns the tablet to the state it left the Samsung factory. After the reset completes, you will see the initial setup screen, as though you had just unboxed it.
You should reset your Galaxy Tab A if the tablet is running slowly, freezing frequently, or behaving erratically after months of use. A reset also clears out malware or unwanted software that won't uninstall normally. If you are selling or giving away the tablet, a reset removes your personal data so the new owner starts fresh.
Do not reset if you have not backed up photos, documents, or other files you want to keep. Once the reset finishes, those files are gone. If you are having a specific problem — an app crashes, the screen flickers, the battery drains fast — try the simpler steps first, like restarting the tablet or uninstalling a recently added app.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases all personal data and returns your Galaxy Tab A to its original state, so back up anything you want to keep before you start.
- You can reset through Settings on the tablet itself, or through Samsung Find Mobile if the tablet is locked or unresponsive.
- The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes and the tablet will restart several times during the process.
- After the reset, you will need to sign in with a Samsung account or Google account and set up the tablet again from scratch.
Reset through Settings when the tablet is working
If your Galaxy Tab A is responsive and you can navigate the menus, the Settings method is the most straightforward. Open Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen twice to open the quick settings panel, then tap the gear icon. Alternatively, find Settings in your app drawer.
Once in Settings, scroll down and tap General management. Then tap Reset. You will see several reset options: tap Factory data reset or Reset to factory settings (the exact wording varies by model and Android version). The tablet will ask you to confirm and may ask for your PIN, pattern, or password. Enter it and tap Reset or Delete all.
The tablet will restart and show a progress screen. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during this time. The process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen asking you to select a language and connect to Wi-Fi.
Reset using Samsung Find Mobile when the tablet is locked or frozen
If your Galaxy Tab A is frozen, unresponsive, or locked with a PIN or password you cannot remember, you can reset it remotely using Samsung Find Mobile. Go to findmobile.samsung.com on a computer or another device and sign in with the Samsung account that is linked to your tablet.
Once you are signed in, your tablet should appear in the list of devices. Click on it, then look for an option labeled Unlock, Erase data, or Factory reset (the exact label depends on your account interface). Select the reset option and confirm. Samsung will send a command to your tablet, and the reset will begin the next time the tablet connects to the internet.
This method requires that your tablet is connected to a Samsung account and that Find Mobile was enabled before the tablet became locked. If you did not set up a Samsung account or did not enable Find Mobile, this method will not work, and you will need to contact Samsung support or visit a service center.
Reset using recovery mode when Settings is not accessible
If Settings will not open or the tablet is too slow to navigate, you can force a reset using recovery mode. First, turn off the tablet completely. Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time for about 10 seconds until the Samsung logo appears. Release both buttons.
The tablet will boot into recovery mode, showing a menu with options in white text. Use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and press the Power button to select it. A confirmation screen will appear. Navigate to Yes and press Power to confirm. The reset will begin when ready.
Recovery mode resets are slower than Settings resets and may take 20 to 30 minutes. Do not interrupt the process. When it finishes, the tablet will return to the recovery menu. Select Reboot system now to restart the tablet and begin the setup process.
What to do after the reset is complete
When your Galaxy Tab A restarts after the reset, you will see the initial setup screen. Select your language and region, then connect to a Wi-Fi network. The tablet will ask you to sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. Use the same account you used before the reset if you want to restore apps and data from your backups.
If you are setting up the tablet for someone else, create a new account or skip this step and let them sign in with their own account. The tablet will read and reinstall apps that were linked to the account you signed in with. Photos and documents stored in Google Drive, OneDrive, or Samsung Cloud will also reappear if you signed in with the account that backed them up.
If you did not back up your data before the reset, it is gone and cannot be recovered. In the future, turn on automatic backup by going to Settings, then Accounts and backup, then Backup and restore, and enabling backup for Google or Samsung Cloud.
Troubleshooting if the reset fails or gets stuck
If the reset starts but the tablet freezes on a progress screen, wait at least 30 minutes before assuming it is stuck. Resets can take longer on older tablets or those with a lot of storage. If the screen has not changed after 30 minutes and the tablet feels cool to the touch, try holding the Power button for 10 seconds to force a restart.
If the tablet restarts but returns to the same frozen screen, the reset may not have completed. Try the recovery mode method instead. If recovery mode is also not accessible or the tablet will not turn on at all, the tablet may have a hardware problem or corrupted system files that a standard reset cannot fix. Contact Samsung support or visit an authorized service center.
If you see an error message during the reset, write down the exact message and search for it on Samsung's support website or contact their customer service. Some errors are temporary and can be fixed by trying the reset again after restarting the tablet.
Preventing data loss before your next reset
The best protection against losing data during a reset is to back it up before you need to reset. Google automatically backs up apps, contacts, and some settings if you sign in with a Google account. To back up photos and videos, use Google Photos, which offers free storage up to a certain limit, or Samsung Cloud if you have a Samsung account.
For documents and files, use Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. These services sync files automatically if you enable them in Settings. Before you reset, check that your important files have been uploaded to the cloud. You can verify this by opening the cloud app and confirming the files are there.
If you are resetting because you are selling or giving away the tablet, make sure the reset completes fully and the tablet boots into the setup screen. Do not hand over the tablet until you see the language selection screen, which confirms that all your personal data has been erased.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Google account from the tablet?
The reset erases your account from the tablet, but your account itself still exists. When the tablet restarts, you will need to sign in again with your Google or Samsung account. If you do not sign in, the tablet will ask you to create a new account or skip this step.
Can I stop a reset once it has started?
No. Once the reset begins, you should not interrupt it by turning off the tablet or removing the battery. Interrupting the reset can leave the tablet in an unusable state. Let the process finish, even if it takes longer than expected.
How long does a factory reset take?
A reset through Settings usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. A reset through recovery mode may take 20 to 30 minutes. The exact time depends on how much storage the tablet has and how old the tablet is. Older tablets with full storage may reset more slowly.
Will resetting fix a cracked screen or battery problem?
No. A reset only erases data and software. It cannot repair physical damage like a cracked screen or a failing battery. If your tablet has hardware damage, a reset will not fix it, and you will need to contact Samsung or a repair service.
What if I forgot the PIN or password and cannot access Settings?
Use Samsung Find Mobile if your tablet is linked to a Samsung account, or use recovery mode to force a reset without entering a PIN. If neither method works, contact Samsung support or visit an authorized service center for help.