What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset wipes your Android tablet back to the state it left the factory — all your apps, photos, files, accounts, and settings disappear. The operating system stays the same version it shipped with. You use a factory reset when the tablet is running slowly, freezing constantly, or you are selling it and want to erase your data completely.
A factory reset is not the same as restarting. Restarting just turns the tablet off and back on. A factory reset erases everything on the device. Once you start the process, you cannot stop it partway through.
Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. Photos, documents, and app data stored only on the tablet will be gone. If your photos are backed up to Google Photos or your files are in Google Drive, they will still be there after the reset.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases all apps, files, photos, and settings from your tablet and returns it to its original state.
- You can reset through Settings on most tablets, or through the recovery menu if the tablet will not turn on or respond.
- Back up your photos and documents to Google Photos, Google Drive, or another cloud service before you reset.
- The reset takes 5 to 15 minutes, and your tablet will restart several times during the process.
- After the reset, you will need to sign in with a Google account and set up the tablet again from the beginning.
Reset through Settings when your tablet works normally
If your tablet turns on and responds to touch, the fastest way to reset is through the Settings app. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap System or About tablet — the exact name depends on your tablet brand and Android version. Look for an option called Reset options, Reset, or Erase all data.
Tap that option, then tap Erase all data or Factory reset. The tablet will ask you to confirm. Read the warning — it will tell you that all data will be erased. Tap the button to confirm, usually labeled Erase or Reset device. The tablet will restart and begin erasing. This takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much is stored on it.
Do not turn off the tablet or unplug it while the reset is running. Let it finish completely. You will see the setup screen when it is done, the same screen you saw when the tablet was brand new.
Reset through recovery mode if the tablet will not start
If your tablet will not turn on, freezes during startup, or will not respond to touch, you can reset it through the recovery menu. This menu is built into the tablet and works even if Android will not load.
Turn off the tablet completely. Then press and hold the power button and the volume-down button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons until you see text on the screen — usually white text on a black background. This is the recovery menu. Release the buttons.
Use the volume buttons to move up and down through the menu options. Look for Wipe data/factory reset or Format data/factory reset. Press the power button to select it. The menu will ask you to confirm. Select Yes using the volume buttons and power button. The reset will begin. Do not interrupt it.
The exact button combination and menu names vary by tablet brand. If holding power and volume-down does not work, try power and volume-up instead. If neither works, search online for "[your tablet model] recovery mode" to find the right combination.
What happens after the reset is complete
When the reset finishes, your tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen. You will see options to choose your language and connect to Wi-Fi. Sign in with your Google account — the same one you used before, or a different one if you prefer.
After you sign in, the tablet will read and reinstall any apps you had installed from the Google Play Store, as long as they are still available. This can take 10 minutes to an hour depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed. You do not have to wait for all of them to finish before you start using the tablet.
Your photos, documents, and other files that were backed up to Google Photos, Google Drive, or another cloud service will be there when you sign in. Files stored only on the tablet are gone permanently.
Backing up before you reset
The easiest way to back up is to use Google services, which are built into Android. Open the Settings app, tap Google, then Manage your Google Account. Tap the Storage tab. You will see how much space you are using in Google Drive, Google Photos, and Gmail. Google Photos gives you unlimited storage for photos if you choose "Storage saver" quality, which compresses them slightly. Google Drive gives you 15 GB free.
Open Google Photos and tap the menu button (three horizontal lines). Tap Settings, then Backup and sync. Turn on the toggle. Choose your backup quality — "Original" uses your Drive storage, "Storage saver" is unlimited. Let the backup finish before you reset. You can check the progress by opening Google Photos and looking at the top of the screen.
For documents and files, open Google Drive, tap the plus button, and tap Upload. Select the files you want to keep. They will be stored in your Drive and available after the reset.
Removing your Google account before selling or giving away the tablet
If you are selling the tablet or giving it to someone else, do a factory reset and then make sure your Google account is removed. After the reset, when the setup screen appears, do not sign in with your account. Instead, skip the sign-in step or sign in with a different account. This prevents the new owner from being locked out by your account.
Some tablets have a security feature called Factory Reset Protection that locks the device to the original Google account after a reset. If the new owner tries to set up the tablet and sees a screen asking for the original account password, they will need to contact you or Google to unlock it. To avoid this, sign out of your account before you reset, or skip the sign-in during setup after the reset.
Troubleshooting a reset that is stuck or not working
If the reset starts but the tablet seems frozen on a loading screen for more than 20 minutes, try a force restart. Press and hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black. Wait 30 seconds, then press power again to turn it back on. The reset should continue or restart.
If the Settings app will not open or keeps crashing, use recovery mode instead. The recovery menu is more reliable when Android is not working properly. Follow the steps in the recovery mode section above.
If you see an error message during the reset, write down the exact text and search for it online along with your tablet model. Error messages usually point to a specific problem — a corrupted file, a storage issue, or a hardware fault — and the solution depends on what the error says.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove the Android operating system?
No. A factory reset only erases your personal data and apps. The Android operating system stays on the tablet. You cannot remove or change the Android version through a factory reset.
Can I undo a factory reset after it is done?
No. Once the reset finishes, the data is gone. If you backed up to Google Photos or Google Drive, you can restore those files by signing in with your Google account. Files stored only on the tablet cannot be recovered.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most resets finish in 5 to 15 minutes. Tablets with more storage or older processors may take longer. Do not turn off the tablet while it is resetting. Let it finish completely, even if it seems stuck on a loading screen for several minutes.
Do I need a password to reset my tablet?
If you have a PIN, pattern, or password set, some tablets ask you to enter it before allowing a reset through Settings. If you forgot your password, you can reset through recovery mode instead, which does not require a password. You will need your Google account password after the reset to sign in.
What if my tablet is locked to a Google account after the reset?
This is Factory Reset Protection. Sign in with the original Google account that was on the tablet before the reset. If you do not remember the password, go to the Google account recovery page on a computer and reset your password, then use the new password on the tablet.