How to Restore Your Samsung Tablet to Factory Settings

The Two Ways to Reset Your Samsung Tablet

You can restore your Samsung tablet to factory settings in two ways: through the Settings menu on the device itself, or by using Samsung Find Mobile on a computer if you cannot access the tablet. The Settings method takes about 10 to 15 minutes and erases all your apps, photos, documents, and accounts. The Find Mobile method works remotely if your tablet is lost, stolen, or locked.

Both methods wipe the tablet completely. Before you start, back up anything you want to keep — photos, documents, contacts, and login information for apps. Once the reset finishes, the tablet will restart as if it came from the factory, and you will need to sign in with a Samsung account or Google account to use it again.

Key Takeaways

A factory reset erases all apps, photos, documents, and accounts from your Samsung tablet and cannot be undone, so back up anything you need first.
The Settings method works on any Samsung tablet where you can unlock the screen and navigate to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset.
The Find Mobile method lets you reset a tablet remotely through Samsung's website if you cannot access the device itself.
After the reset completes, your tablet will ask you to sign in with a Samsung account or Google account before you can use it.
A factory reset does not remove the Samsung account or Google account that was originally set up on the tablet — you will need the password to that account to proceed.

Reset Through Settings on Your Tablet

Open the Settings app on your Samsung tablet. Tap General Management (the exact name may vary slightly depending on your tablet model and Android version — look for "Management" or "System"). Then tap Reset or Reset Options.

Select Factory Data Reset or Erase All Data. The tablet will show a warning that all data will be deleted. Read it carefully — this action cannot be undone. Tap the button to confirm (usually labeled Reset, Delete All, or Erase). The tablet will restart and begin the reset process, which usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during this time.

When the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen. You will be asked to sign in with a Samsung account or Google account. If you do not remember the password to the account that was originally set up on the tablet, you will not be able to proceed past this screen — Samsung requires this as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to a tablet that has been reset.

Reset Using Samsung Find Mobile From a Computer

Go to findmobile.samsung.com in a web browser on any computer. Sign in with the Samsung account that is registered to your tablet. If you do not have a Samsung account or do not remember the password, you will not be able to use this method.

Once you are signed in, select your tablet from the list of devices. Click Unlock or Factory Reset (the exact option name depends on your Samsung account settings and tablet model). Confirm that you want to reset the device. Samsung will send the reset command to your tablet if it is connected to the internet. The tablet will restart and begin the reset process.

This method works even if your tablet is locked, lost, or you cannot physically access it. However, the tablet must be turned on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data for Samsung to reach it. If your tablet is offline, the reset command will be sent the next time it connects to the internet.

What Happens During and After the Reset

During the reset, your tablet will restart several times. The screen may show a progress bar or a spinning icon. This is normal. The entire process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the tablet. Do not interrupt the reset by turning off the device or removing the battery.

After the reset finishes, the tablet will show the initial setup screen, just as it did when it first came from the factory. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Samsung account or Google account. The tablet will not let you proceed without signing in to one of these accounts — this is a security feature that prevents someone else from using your tablet if it is reset.

Once you sign in, the tablet will read your apps and settings from your Samsung or Google account if you had them backed up. This can take 10 minutes to an hour depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed. Your tablet is now restored to factory settings and ready to use.

Back Up Your Data Before You Reset

Before you reset, save your photos and videos. On most Samsung tablets, open the Gallery app, select the photos you want to keep, and use the share button to send them to Google Photos, OneDrive, or another cloud service. You can also connect your tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy files directly to the computer's hard drive.

Save your documents and files the same way. Open the Files app, find the documents you need, and move or copy them to a cloud service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. Write down any login information for apps you use regularly — email addresses, usernames, and passwords — because you will need to sign back in after the reset.

If you use Samsung Cloud or Google Drive, you can back up your contacts, calendar, and app data automatically. Open Settings, go to Accounts and Backup or Cloud and Accounts, and turn on backup for the services you use. This way, when you sign back in after the reset, your contacts and calendar will be restored automatically.

Troubleshooting a Reset That Will Not Complete

If your tablet gets stuck during the reset, try a hard reset. Turn off the tablet completely. Then press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds until the Samsung logo appears. Release the buttons. The tablet will enter recovery mode and show a menu with options. Use the Volume buttons to highlight Factory Data Reset or Wipe Data, then press the Power button to select it. Confirm the action. The tablet will reset from recovery mode.

If the tablet is completely unresponsive and will not turn on, connect it to a computer with a USB cable and use Samsung's SmartSwitch software to reset it. read SmartSwitch from Samsung's website, install it on your computer, connect your tablet, and follow the on-screen instructions to perform a factory reset. This method works even if your tablet's screen is broken or the device will not respond to button presses.

If you are locked out because you do not remember the password to your Samsung account or Google account, you will need to recover that password before you can complete the setup. Go to the Samsung account website or Google account recovery page from a computer, follow the steps to reset your password, and then use the new password on your tablet.

When to Reset Your Samsung Tablet

Reset your tablet if it is running slowly, freezing frequently, or crashing apps. A factory reset removes all the apps and files that may be causing problems. It also removes malware or viruses if your tablet has been infected. If you are selling or giving away your tablet, a factory reset ensures that the new owner cannot access your personal data, accounts, or files.

Reset your tablet if you want to start fresh with a clean installation of Android. Over time, tablets accumulate temporary files, cached data, and settings that can slow performance. A factory reset clears all of this. You can also reset if you have too many apps installed and want to remove them all at once rather than uninstalling them one by one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. A factory reset removes all your apps and files, but it does not remove the Samsung account or Google account that was originally set up on the tablet. After the reset, you will be asked to sign in with that account again. If you do not remember the password, you will need to reset it on Samsung's or Google's website before you can use the tablet.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset permanently deletes all your apps, photos, documents, and accounts. There is no way to undo it. This is why backing up your data before you reset is important. If you have backed up your photos and documents to Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud service, you can read them again after the reset.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. The time depends on how much data is on your tablet and how fast your tablet's processor is. During the reset, do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery. Let the process complete without interruption.

What if my tablet is frozen and I cannot open Settings?

Press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds to force the tablet to shut down. Then press the Power button again to turn it back on. If it is still frozen, try a hard reset by holding the Volume Up and Power buttons together for 10 to 15 seconds until the Samsung logo appears. This will take you to recovery mode, where you can select Factory Data Reset.

Do I need Wi-Fi to reset my tablet?

You do not need Wi-Fi to perform the reset itself. However, after the reset is complete, you will need to connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data to sign in with your Samsung account or Google account. You will also need an internet connection to read your apps and settings if you had them backed up to the cloud.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.