What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your tablet — all apps, photos, documents, settings, and accounts — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. After the reset completes, you'll see the same welcome screen you saw when you first turned it on.
You might reset a tablet because it's running slowly, freezing constantly, or behaving erratically. You might also reset it before selling or giving it away, or if you've forgotten your lock screen password and can't get in any other way. A reset is also the standard fix when an app won't uninstall or when system updates fail to install.
The process takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data is on the device. Your tablet will restart several times during the reset, and the screen may go dark for a minute or two — that's normal. Do not unplug the device or force it off while a reset is running.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, documents, and any data you want to keep before you start, because a factory reset deletes everything on the device.
- On an iPad, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings and enter your Apple ID password when prompted.
- On an Android tablet, go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data (Factory Reset) and confirm the action.
- If you've forgotten your lock screen password, you may be able to reset through your Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iPad) without losing data.
- After the reset finishes, your tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, and you can sign back into your accounts.
Back up your data before you reset
A factory reset is permanent and irreversible. Before you start, save anything you want to keep — photos, videos, documents, contacts, and any files stored on the device itself.
On an iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Turn on iCloud Drive if it's off, and make sure Photos is set to iCloud Photos. Open the Photos app and wait for the upload to finish — you'll see a progress indicator at the top. Your photos are now backed up to your Apple ID account and will be there after the reset.
On an Android tablet, open Settings, tap Accounts, select your Google account, and tap Account Sync. Make sure Photos and Documents are checked. Open Google Photos and wait for the upload to finish. You can also connect the tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy files to your computer's hard drive manually.
How to reset an iPad
Open Settings on your iPad. Tap General (it's near the top of the left sidebar). Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
If your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi and signed into an Apple ID, you'll see a screen asking whether you want to keep or remove your Apple ID. Tap Remove to erase the account from the device. You'll be asked to enter your Apple ID password — this is a security step to prevent someone else from resetting your iPad without permission. Type your password and tap Erase.
The iPad will restart and show a progress bar. The reset usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. When it finishes, you'll see the "Hello" welcome screen. Do not turn off the device or unplug it during this time.
How to reset an Android tablet
Open Settings on your Android tablet. Tap System (or About Device on older tablets). Tap Reset Options or Factory Reset. Tap Erase All Data (Factory Reset). You'll see a warning that all data will be deleted — read it and tap Erase All Data to confirm.
If you're signed into a Google account, you may be asked to enter your Google password as a security check. Type it and tap Next. The tablet will restart and begin the reset process, which usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You'll see a progress bar or spinning icon. When the reset finishes, the tablet will restart again and show the initial setup screen.
What to do if you've forgotten your lock screen password
If you can't unlock your iPad because you've forgotten the passcode, you can reset it through your Apple ID without losing your data. On the lock screen, tap Passcode Options, then tap Forgot Passcode. Tap Reset Using Apple ID. Enter your Apple ID email and password. You'll be asked to create a new passcode. After you set it, your iPad will restart and you can unlock it with the new code. Your photos, apps, and files will still be there.
On an Android tablet, if you've forgotten your lock screen PIN or pattern, you can reset it through your Google account. After several failed attempts, you'll see an option to unlock using your Google account. Tap it, enter your Google email and password, and you'll be able to set a new PIN or pattern. Your data will remain on the device.
If neither of these options works — for example, if you don't remember your Apple ID or Google password — you'll need to do a full factory reset. This will erase everything, so contact the device manufacturer's support line to see if there are other recovery options available to you.
Setting up your tablet after the reset
When the reset finishes, your tablet will show the welcome screen you saw when it was new. Follow the on-screen prompts to choose your language and region, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into your accounts.
On an iPad, you'll be asked to sign into your Apple ID. Use the same Apple ID you used before the reset. Your photos, documents, and app purchases will read automatically from iCloud. This usually takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and how fast your Wi-Fi is.
On an Android tablet, you'll be asked to sign into your Google account. Use the same Google account you used before. Your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and any apps you bought from Google Play will read automatically. You can also restore photos and documents from Google Drive if you backed them up there.
When to call a professional instead
If your tablet won't turn on at all, or if it restarts repeatedly and never gets past the welcome screen, a factory reset won't help — the problem is likely a hardware issue or a corrupted system file that can't be fixed at home. Contact the tablet manufacturer's support line or visit an authorized repair shop.
If you're resetting the tablet because it's running slowly or freezing, and the slowness continues after the reset and setup are complete, the device may have a hardware problem like a failing storage drive. Again, contact the manufacturer or a repair shop.
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 you restore from a backup that was infected, the malware may come back. To be safe, don't restore from a backup made before you noticed the problem — instead, set up the tablet fresh and reinstall only the apps you actually use.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset is permanent. If you backed up your data to iCloud (iPad) or Google Drive (Android) before the reset, you can restore that data after setup. If you didn't back up, the data is gone.
Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting?
No. A factory reset does not affect your SIM card or your cellular service. If your tablet has a SIM card, it will continue to work after the reset.
How long does a factory reset take?
The reset itself usually takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data is on the device. After the reset finishes, setup and downloading your backed-up data can take another 30 minutes to an hour. Don't interrupt the process — leave the tablet plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi until you see the home screen.
What if my tablet gets stuck during the reset?
If the tablet is stuck on a progress screen for more than an hour, try a force restart. On an iPad, press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. On an Android tablet, press and hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the device restarts. If it still won't complete the reset, contact the manufacturer's support line.