What Resetting Your Tablet Does
A factory reset erases everything on your tablet and returns it to the state it left the manufacturer. This means all your photos, videos, apps, messages, and settings disappear. The operating system itself stays the same — an iPad stays iOS, an Android tablet stays Android — but every file and preference you added is gone.
You would reset a tablet if it runs too slowly, freezes constantly, has a virus or malware, or you plan to sell it or give it away. A reset is also the solution when you forget your lock screen password and cannot get back in. Before you start, back up anything you want to keep: photos, documents, contacts, or app data.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, documents, and any files you want to keep before you start, because a factory reset deletes everything.
- On an iPad, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings and enter your Apple ID password.
- On an Android tablet, go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data (Factory Reset) and confirm the action.
- The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes and your tablet will restart several times — do not turn it off during this time.
- After the reset completes, your tablet will ask you to set it up as new or restore from a backup, just like when you first bought it.
How to Reset an iPad
On an iPad running iOS 16 or later, open the Settings app and tap General. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset, then tap Erase All Content and Settings. The iPad will ask you to enter your Apple ID password — this is the password for the account you use to sign into iCloud, not your lock screen PIN. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you will need to reset it through Apple's website before you can proceed.
After you enter your password, the iPad will show a warning that everything will be deleted. Tap Continue to confirm. The reset begins when ready. Your iPad will restart, show a progress bar, and take 5 to 15 minutes to finish. Do not turn off the tablet or unplug it during this time. When the reset is complete, your iPad will show the setup screen you saw the first time you turned it on.
If you have an older iPad running iOS 15 or earlier, the path is slightly different: go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. The process and password requirement are the same.
How to Reset an Android Tablet
On an Android tablet, open the Settings app and look for System or About Tablet — the exact name depends on the manufacturer (Samsung, Lenovo, Amazon, etc.). Once you find System settings, tap Reset Options or Reset. You should see an option called Erase All Data (Factory Reset) or straightforward Factory Reset. Tap it.
Android will ask you to confirm by entering your lock screen PIN, pattern, or password. This is a safety step to prevent someone else from wiping your tablet without permission. After you enter it, tap Erase All Data or Reset Phone (the button label varies). The tablet will restart and show a progress bar. The whole process takes 5 to 15 minutes. Like an iPad, do not turn off the tablet or interrupt the reset.
Some Android tablets, especially older ones, may have the reset option under Settings > Backup and Reset instead of System. If you cannot find Reset Options, search the Settings app for the word "reset" — most tablets have a search box at the top of Settings.
Backing Up Before You Reset
The safest approach is to back up your tablet before you reset it. On an iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Make sure iCloud Backup is turned on, then tap Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish — it may take several minutes depending on how much data you have. You can check the progress by going back to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
On an Android tablet, the backup process depends on your manufacturer. Most Android tablets back up to Google automatically if you are signed into a Google account. Go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Backup and make sure backup is enabled. For Samsung tablets specifically, open Settings > Accounts > Samsung Account > Backup and turn on Cloud Backup. After you reset and set up the tablet again, you can restore from these backups.
What to Do If You Forgot Your Password
If you cannot unlock your tablet because you forgot the lock screen password, you can still reset it, but the process is different. On an iPad, you will need a computer with iTunes or Finder (Mac only). Connect the iPad to the computer, open Finder or iTunes, and select the iPad. Choose Restore, which will erase the iPad and reinstall iOS. You will then be asked to sign in with your Apple ID — if you do not remember it, you will need to reset it on Apple's website first.
On an Android tablet, the process varies by manufacturer. Most Android tablets let you reset by holding down the Power button and Volume Down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until the tablet vibrates and shows a recovery menu. Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe Data / Factory Reset and press the Power button to select it. This method bypasses the lock screen, but you will still need your Google account password when you set up the tablet again.
After the Reset Is Complete
When your tablet finishes resetting, it will show the initial setup screen — the same one you saw when you first turned it on. On an iPad, you will be asked to choose a language and region, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with your Apple ID. You can then choose to restore from an iCloud backup (if you made one) or set up as a new iPad.
On an Android tablet, you will go through similar steps: language, Wi-Fi connection, and Google account sign-in. Android will then offer to restore your apps and data from your Google backup. If you chose not to back up before resetting, you can still sign into your Google account and read your apps again from the Play Store, but your personal files and settings will be gone.
The entire setup process takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed and how much data you are restoring. Once setup is complete, your tablet will work like new.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is not backing up before you reset. If you have photos, documents, or app data you care about, back up first. The second mistake is turning off the tablet during the reset. Even if it seems to be taking a long time, let it finish — interrupting it can leave the tablet in an unusable state.
A third mistake is forgetting your Apple ID or Google account password. If you reset an iPad and do not remember your Apple ID password, you will be stuck on the setup screen. Similarly, Android tablets require a Google account to finish setup. If you do not remember either password, reset them on the manufacturer's website before you start the tablet reset.
Finally, do not assume a reset will fix hardware problems. If your tablet has a cracked screen, a broken charging port, or a failing battery, a reset will not repair those. A reset only fixes software problems like slowness, freezing, or malware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my tablet?
Yes. A factory reset erases everything on the tablet, including any malware. However, if the malware came from an app you downloaded, you should avoid downloading that app again after the reset. Be cautious about which apps you install and only read from the official App Store (iPad) or Play Store (Android).
Can I stop a reset once it has started?
No. Once you confirm the reset, it cannot be stopped. The tablet will erase all data and restart. This is why backing up first is so important. Do not turn off the tablet during the reset, as this can damage the operating system.
What happens to my apps after a reset?
All apps are deleted during a factory reset. After you set up the tablet again and sign into your account, you can read your apps again from the App Store or Play Store. Apps you purchased will still be available to read at no cost — you only pay once per app.
Do I need Wi-Fi to reset my tablet?
You do not need Wi-Fi to start the reset, but you will need it to complete the setup afterward. The reset itself uses only the tablet's internal storage. However, if you want to restore from a backup, you will need a Wi-Fi connection during setup.
How long does a factory reset take?
The reset itself takes 5 to 15 minutes. The initial setup after the reset takes another 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your internet speed and whether you are restoring from a backup. In total, plan for 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish.