Factory Reset Wipes Your Tablet and Restores It to Original Software

A factory reset erases all your personal data — photos, apps, accounts, messages, files — and returns your Samsung tablet to the state it shipped in. This is useful when you are selling or giving away the device, when it runs slowly or crashes repeatedly, or when you have forgotten your lock screen password. The reset process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is stored.

Samsung tablets offer two ways to reset: through the Settings menu (the standard route) or through recovery mode (when the tablet will not start normally or you cannot access Settings). Both methods are permanent and cannot be undone, so back up anything you want to keep before you begin.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset deletes all apps, photos, files, accounts, and personal settings and cannot be reversed, so back up your data first.
  • The Settings method works on any tablet that starts normally: go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset.
  • Recovery mode is the route when your tablet will not start, is frozen, or you cannot access Settings; it uses hardware buttons instead of the screen.
  • After reset, your tablet will ask you to sign in with a Samsung account or Google account to complete setup.
  • If you forgot your lock screen password, factory reset is often the only way to regain access, though it erases everything on the device.

Reset Through Settings When Your Tablet Starts Normally

Open Settings and tap General Management (the exact name varies slightly by model and Android version, but it is always near the top of the Settings list). Scroll down and tap Reset. You will see options including Factory Data Reset or Reset All Settings — choose the one that says Factory Data Reset or Erase All Data.

The tablet will ask you to confirm and may ask for your Samsung account password or Google account password. Enter it if prompted. Tap the button to confirm the reset. The tablet will restart and show a progress bar as it erases data. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during this process. When it finishes, you will see the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the tablet was new.

The entire process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. If the tablet is very full of data, it may take longer. Once the reset is complete, you can set up the tablet again by signing in with your Samsung account, Google account, or by skipping account setup entirely.

Reset Through Recovery Mode When Settings Is Not Accessible

Use recovery mode if your tablet will not start, is stuck on a boot screen, is frozen, or if you cannot access the Settings menu. The button combination varies by model, but for most Samsung tablets it is: hold the Power button and Volume Up button together until the Samsung logo appears, then release both buttons. The tablet will boot into recovery mode, which shows a menu with white text on a black background.

Use the Volume buttons to move up and down the menu. Look for an option that says Wipe Data / Factory Reset or Factory Data Reset. Highlight it using the Volume buttons, then press the Power button to select it. The tablet will ask you to confirm — use the Volume buttons to highlight Yes and press Power to confirm. The reset will begin when ready.

Do not interrupt the process. The tablet will show a progress bar or a series of dots as it erases data. When it finishes, you will return to the recovery menu. Highlight Reboot System Now and press Power. The tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen.

What Happens After the Reset Is Complete

Your tablet will boot into the setup wizard, the same screens you saw when you first turned it on. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Samsung account or Google account. If you do not remember your account password, you can reset it on another device or computer before you continue.

You can also skip account setup and use the tablet without signing in, though some features (like the Google Play Store) will not work. Once setup is finished, the tablet is ready to use. All your previous apps, photos, files, and settings are gone. You will need to read apps again from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store.

Back Up Your Data Before You Reset

Before you reset, save anything you want to keep. The easiest method is to sign in with your Google account on the tablet — Google automatically backs up your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and some app data to your Google account. When you sign in with the same account after the reset, that data will return.

For photos and videos, connect the tablet to a computer and copy them to a folder, or use Google Photos to back them up to the cloud. For documents and files, use Google Drive or another cloud storage service. For text messages and call logs, use a backup app from the Google Play Store before you reset — Samsung does not back these up automatically.

Why Your Samsung Tablet Might Need a Factory Reset

A factory reset solves problems that cannot be fixed any other way. If your tablet is very slow, crashes when you open apps, or freezes repeatedly, a reset often restores speed and stability by removing corrupted files and clearing out years of app data and cache. If you forgot your lock screen password or pattern, a factory reset is usually the only way to regain access to the device.

If you are selling or giving away the tablet, a factory reset ensures the new owner cannot see your photos, messages, accounts, or files. It also removes your accounts from the device, which prevents the new owner from being locked out by your Samsung account or Google account.

What to Do If the Reset Fails or Gets Stuck

If the reset starts but does not finish after 30 minutes, or if the tablet restarts but still shows the same problems, try the reset again. Make sure the battery is fully charged before you begin — a low battery during reset can cause the process to fail. If you are using recovery mode, make sure you are pressing the correct button combination for your specific model.

If the tablet will not turn on at all after a failed reset, try charging it for at least 30 minutes, then attempt the reset again. If the tablet still will not respond, contact Samsung support or visit a repair shop. Provide them with your tablet model number (found in Settings > About Tablet) so they can give you the exact button combination for your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account from the tablet?

Yes. The reset removes all accounts, including Google and Samsung accounts. After the reset, you will need to sign in again during setup. If you do not remember your password, you can reset it on a computer or another device before you continue with tablet setup.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset is permanent and cannot be reversed. This is why backing up your data first is important. If you have a backup in Google Drive, Google Photos, or another cloud service, you can read it after the reset is complete.

Do I need to remove my SIM card or SD card before I reset?

No. A factory reset does not affect the SIM card or SD card. However, if you have files stored on an SD card, they will not be erased. If you want to erase those files too, remove the SD card and erase it separately on a computer.

What if I forgot my Samsung account password and cannot complete setup after the reset?

Go to the Samsung account website on a computer and reset your password. Once you have a new password, return to the tablet and sign in during setup. If you do not have access to the email address associated with your Samsung account, you may need to create a new Samsung account instead.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most factory resets take 5 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is stored on the tablet. A tablet with very little data may finish in 5 minutes. A tablet that is nearly full may take 30 minutes or longer. Do not turn off the tablet during the process.