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 the tablet is running slowly, freezing constantly, or behaving unpredictably. It is also the right move if you are selling or giving away the tablet and want to remove your personal data first.
A factory reset is not the same as restarting. Restarting just turns the tablet off and back on. A factory reset wipes the storage completely. Once you start the process, you cannot stop it partway through, so make sure you have backed up anything you want to keep before you begin.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, documents, and any files you want to keep before starting a factory reset, because the process erases everything on the tablet.
- You can reset your tablet through Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data, or by holding the power button and volume down button together if the tablet will not start.
- The reset process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much storage the tablet has and how full it is.
- After the reset completes, you will see the setup screen as if the tablet is brand new, and you can sign in with your Google account to restore some apps and settings.
- If you forget your Google account password or the tablet is locked to a previous owner's account, you may not be able to complete setup without that account information.
How to back up your data before resetting
The fastest way to save your important files is to use Google's built-in backup. Open Settings, tap Accounts, select your Google account, and look for an option called Backup or Sync. Turn on any categories you want to save — typically Photos, Contacts, Calendar, and Gmail. Google will upload these to your account automatically.
For photos and videos stored in the tablet's gallery, open Google Photos (a separate app from the default gallery), tap your profile picture in the top right, go to Photos settings, and make sure Backup and sync is turned on. This uploads your media to your Google account so you can read it later on any device.
For documents, spreadsheets, or other files, move them to Google Drive before you reset. Open the Files app, find the files you want to keep, and either drag them into a Drive folder or use the share menu to upload them. Once they are in Drive, they stay in your Google account even after the tablet is wiped.
Resetting through Settings if the tablet starts normally
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find System or About tablet (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Tap System, then look for Reset options or Reset. You should see Erase all data or Factory reset. Tap it.
The tablet will ask you to confirm. It may also ask for your Google account password or PIN to prevent someone else from wiping your tablet without permission. Enter your password or PIN, then tap Erase all data or the equivalent button. The tablet will restart and begin the reset process.
Do not turn off the tablet or unplug it during the reset. The screen will show a progress bar or spinning icon. This can take 10 to 30 minutes. When it finishes, you will see the initial setup screen — the same screen you saw when the tablet was brand new.
Resetting a tablet that will not start or respond
If your tablet is frozen, will not turn on, or is stuck in a loop, you can force a reset using the hardware buttons. The exact button combination depends on the manufacturer, but the most common is to hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds.
Keep holding both buttons until you see a menu appear on the screen. This menu is called Recovery Mode. Use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select. Look for an option called Wipe data / factory reset or Erase all data. Select it, then confirm when prompted.
If you do not see a recovery menu after holding the buttons, try holding power and volume up instead, or power and volume down for longer. Different tablet models use different combinations. If you are unsure which buttons to hold, search online for "[your tablet model] recovery mode" to find the exact steps.
What happens after the reset completes
When the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen. You will be asked to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. If you sign in with the same Google account you used before, the tablet will automatically read and reinstall many of your apps from the Play Store.
Your Google account will also restore some settings, contacts, and calendar events. However, photos, videos, and documents stored only on the tablet (not backed up to Google Photos or Drive) will be gone permanently. Apps you sideloaded or installed from outside the Play Store will not return and will need to be reinstalled manually.
Take your time during setup. You do not have to install every app when ready — you can add them later from the Play Store whenever you need them. If you do not want to sign in with a Google account right now, you can skip this step, but you will have limited access to the Play Store and other Google services.
Troubleshooting if setup gets stuck
If the setup screen freezes or keeps asking for your Google account password and rejecting it, the tablet may be locked to a previous owner's account. This is called Factory Reset Protection (FRP). To unlock it, you need the password for the Google account that was signed in before the reset.
If you are the original owner and remember the password, enter it. If you do not remember it, go to accounts.google.com on a computer, use the account recovery process to reset the password, and then use the new password on the tablet.
If the tablet belonged to someone else and you do not have access to their account, you will not be able to complete setup. Contact the previous owner and ask them to remove the tablet from their Google account, or ask them to provide the password. Some carriers and retailers can also help remove FRP if you can prove you own the device.
When to call a professional instead
If the tablet will not turn on at all, does not respond to button presses, or shows an error message during the reset that you cannot resolve, a repair technician may be able to help. Some issues — like a corrupted system file or a hardware problem — cannot be fixed with a factory reset alone.
If you are locked out by FRP and cannot contact the previous owner, a repair shop may be able to bypass it, though this usually costs money and is not may provide to work. It is worth calling ahead to ask whether they handle FRP removal before you bring the tablet in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my tablet?
Yes. A factory reset erases everything on the device, including any malware. However, if the malware came from an app you downloaded, you will need to be careful not to reinstall that app after the reset. Check your app list and avoid downloading anything suspicious.
Can I undo a factory reset after it starts?
No. Once the reset begins, it cannot be stopped or reversed. This is why backing up your data first is so important. If you realize you forgot to back something up, stop and do that before you start the reset.
What if I do not have a Google account to sign in with after the reset?
You can create a new Google account during setup, or skip the sign-in step entirely. However, without a Google account, you will not be able to read apps from the Play Store or use many Google services. You can add an account later in Settings if you change your mind.
How long does a factory reset take?
The reset itself usually takes 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how much storage the tablet has and how full it is. Setup after the reset can take another 10 to 20 minutes if you are downloading and installing apps. Plan for at least an hour total.
Do I need to charge the tablet before I reset it?
Yes. Make sure the battery is at least 50 percent full before you start. If the tablet runs out of power during the reset, it may not complete properly and could become unusable. Plug it in and let it charge for at least 30 minutes before you begin.