What Happens When You Restore to Factory Settings
Restoring your tablet to factory settings erases everything on the device and returns it to the state it was in when it left the manufacturer. This means all your apps, photos, videos, documents, contacts, and settings disappear. The operating system itself stays the same version it came with, but every personal file and preference you've added is gone.
People restore tablets for different reasons: the device is running slowly, you're selling or giving it away, you're troubleshooting a persistent problem, or you want a fresh start. Before you begin, understand that this action cannot be undone unless you have a backup stored somewhere else—like cloud storage or a computer.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your important files to cloud storage or a computer before starting, because factory reset deletes everything on the tablet itself.
- The exact steps depend on whether you have an iPad, Android tablet, or Windows tablet, and the process takes 10 to 30 minutes.
- You will need your Apple ID password (iPad), Google account password (Android), or Microsoft account password (Windows) to complete the reset.
- After the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new.
Back Up Your Files Before You Start
The first step is always to save anything you want to keep. On an iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Turn on iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now"—this sends your photos, settings, and app data to Apple's servers. If you have a Mac or Windows computer, you can also plug in the iPad and back up through iTunes or Finder.
On an Android tablet, open Settings, scroll to Accounts, and tap your Google account. Select "Google One" or "Backup and restore," then tap "Back up now." This saves your photos, contacts, and app data to Google Drive. For Windows tablets, go to Settings, click System, then click About. Look for "Reset this PC" and choose "Keep my files" instead of factory reset if you only want to refresh the system.
read any documents or files you need to your computer as well. Cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox let you read files one at a time or in batches. Take 10 minutes to do this—it's the only safety net you have.
Factory Reset on an iPad
On an iPad running iOS 16 or later, open Settings and tap General. Scroll down and tap "Transfer or Reset." Choose "Erase All Content and Settings." The iPad will ask for your Apple ID password—this is a security feature to prevent someone else from erasing your device remotely. Enter your password and tap Erase.
If you're using an older iPad with iOS 15 or earlier, the path is slightly different: Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. The password requirement is the same. The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes. Your iPad will restart several times and eventually show the "Hello" setup screen in your language. Do not unplug it or turn it off during this time.
If you forgot your Apple ID password, you can reset it through iforgot.apple.com before you start the factory reset. Without the password, you cannot complete the erase.
Factory Reset on an Android Tablet
Open Settings and scroll down to find "System" or "About tablet" (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Look for an option called "Reset options," "Reset," or "Factory reset." Tap it, then select "Erase all data" or "Factory reset." Android will ask you to confirm and may ask for your Google account password.
The tablet will restart and begin erasing. This usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. You'll see a progress bar or spinning animation—leave it alone. When it finishes, the tablet restarts and shows the initial setup screen asking for your language and Wi-Fi network.
Some Android tablets made by Samsung, Amazon, or other brands have their own reset paths. If you cannot find the option in Settings, search the tablet's help documentation by brand name and model number, or visit the manufacturer's support website. The general principle is the same everywhere: Settings > System or About > Reset or Factory Reset.
Factory Reset on a Windows Tablet
Windows tablets (like the Microsoft Surface Go) reset differently than iPads and Android devices. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app. Go to System, then click "Recovery" in the left menu. Under "Reset this PC," click "Reset PC."
Windows offers two choices: "Keep my files" removes apps and settings but saves your documents and photos, or "Remove everything" erases the entire tablet. Choose based on what you need. If you choose "Remove everything," Windows will ask whether to delete files securely (slower, more thorough) or quickly (faster). Select "Remove files and clean the drive" for a complete wipe.
The process takes 20 to 30 minutes. Your tablet will restart multiple times. Do not interrupt it. When it finishes, you'll see the Windows setup screen asking for your language and region.
What to Do After the Reset Completes
Once your tablet restarts and shows the setup screen, you're back at the beginning. Follow the on-screen prompts to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with your account (Apple ID, Google account, or Microsoft account). This is the same process you'd follow with a brand-new tablet.
If you backed up your data, the tablet will offer to restore it. On iPad, you'll see an option to "Restore from iCloud Backup"—choose the most recent backup. On Android, sign in with your Google account and the tablet will ask whether to restore your apps and data. On Windows, sign in with your Microsoft account and choose to restore your files.
After restoration finishes, your apps, photos, and settings will reappear. This can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you had. Do not turn off the tablet during this time. Once everything is restored, your tablet is ready to use again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is not backing up first. If you erase without a backup and realize you needed something, it's gone. Take the 10 minutes to back up before you start. The second mistake is forgetting your account password. Write down your Apple ID, Google account password, or Microsoft password before you begin—you'll need it to complete the reset and sign back in.
A third mistake is interrupting the process. Do not unplug the tablet, turn it off, or restart it while the reset is running. Let it finish completely, even if it seems stuck. Progress bars sometimes move slowly, and the tablet may restart on its own several times. If the tablet is truly frozen (no progress for 30 minutes), hold the power button until it shuts down, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on and try again.
Finally, do not assume the reset will fix a hardware problem. If your tablet has a cracked screen, a broken charging port, or a failing battery, a factory reset won't repair those. A reset fixes software problems like slowness, freezing, or app crashes—not physical damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will factory reset remove the operating system?
No. The operating system (iOS, Android, or Windows) stays on the tablet. Only your personal files, apps, and settings are erased. The tablet keeps the same version of the operating system it had before.
Can I stop the reset once it starts?
Not safely. Once you confirm the reset, the process begins and should run to completion. Interrupting it can leave the tablet in an unusable state. If something goes wrong, let it finish or hold the power button to shut it down, then restart and try again.
What if I don't remember my account password?
Reset it before you start the factory reset. For Apple ID, go to iforgot.apple.com. For Google, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. For Microsoft, go to account.microsoft.com/password/reset. Once you've reset your password, you can use it to complete the factory reset and sign back in.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most resets finish in 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the tablet model and how much data was on it. The tablet may restart several times during this period. Restoring your backed-up data afterward can add another 30 minutes to an hour.
Do I need Wi-Fi to factory reset my tablet?
You need Wi-Fi to sign back in with your account after the reset and to restore your backup. During the reset itself, Wi-Fi is not required, but you'll need it when ready after to complete the setup process.