The Three Ways to Reset a Samsung Tablet
A Samsung tablet can be reset in three ways: through the Settings menu (the safest route), through Samsung Find Mobile, or by using hardware buttons if the tablet won't turn on or respond to touch. The Settings method wipes your data but keeps your Samsung account linked, so you can restore apps and files afterward. The other two methods are harder to reverse and should only be used if the tablet is frozen or you cannot access Settings.
Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. A factory reset erases all photos, videos, documents, and installed apps from the tablet's storage. Your Samsung account, Google account, and cloud backups can restore some of this, but local files that were never synced will be gone.
Key Takeaways
- The Settings menu reset is the standard method and takes about 10 minutes; go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset.
- A factory reset erases all local files, photos, videos, and apps, so back up anything important to your Samsung account or Google Drive first.
- If your tablet is frozen or unresponsive, use the hardware button method: hold Power and Volume Down together until the recovery menu appears.
- After a reset, you will be asked to sign in with a Samsung or Google account; use the same account you used before to restore your apps and settings.
- Samsung Find Mobile can reset your tablet remotely if you have already set it up on your account, but you must have internet access on another device.
Reset Through Settings (Recommended Method)
Open Settings on your tablet. Scroll down and tap General Management. Tap Reset. You will see three options: Reset Network Settings, Reset App Preferences, and Factory Data Reset. Tap Factory Data Reset.
The tablet will show you a summary of what will be erased: apps, settings, and data stored on the device. It will not erase your Samsung account or Google account information. Tap Reset again to confirm. 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 is complete, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Samsung or Google account. If you use the same account you used before, the tablet will begin downloading your apps and restoring your settings automatically.
Reset Using Samsung Find Mobile (Remote Reset)
If your tablet is lost or you cannot physically access it, you can reset it from another device using Samsung Find Mobile. Go to findmobile.samsung.com on a computer or another phone. Sign in with the Samsung account that is linked to the tablet you want to reset.
Once you are signed in, you will see a list of devices linked to your account. Select the tablet you want to reset. Click More or the menu icon, then select Unlock My Mobile or Erase My Mobile, depending on your tablet model and the version of Find Mobile. The tablet will receive a command to reset itself, and the process will begin the next time it connects to the internet.
This method only works if you set up Find Mobile on the tablet before it was lost or locked. If you did not set it up, you cannot use this method. The reset will take longer than the Settings method because the tablet must first connect to Samsung's servers to receive the command.
Reset Using Hardware Buttons (If Tablet Won't Respond)
If your tablet is frozen, will not turn on, or will not respond to touch, you can force a reset using the Power and Volume Down buttons. Turn off the tablet completely. If it will not turn off normally, hold the Power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down.
Once the tablet is off, hold the Power button and the Volume Down button together. Keep holding both buttons until the Samsung logo appears and you see a menu with white text on a black background. This is the recovery menu. Use the Volume Down button to scroll to Wipe Data / Factory Reset. Press the Power button to select it.
The tablet will ask you to confirm. Use the Volume Down button to highlight Yes and press the Power button to confirm. The reset will begin. Do not interrupt it. When it is complete, you will see Reboot System Now highlighted in the menu. Press the Power button to restart the tablet.
What Gets Erased and What Stays
A factory reset erases everything stored on the tablet's internal storage: all photos, videos, documents, messages, call logs, and installed apps. It also erases your Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and custom settings like wallpaper and notification preferences.
What does not get erased is your Samsung account or Google account information. If you sign back in with the same account after the reset, your apps will read again, your contacts will sync back from Google Contacts, and your calendar will restore from Google Calendar. Photos and videos stored in Google Photos or Samsung Cloud will also be available again.
Files that were stored only on the tablet and never backed up to the cloud will be gone permanently. This includes photos taken with the tablet's camera if they were never uploaded to Google Photos or Samsung Cloud, documents created in local apps, and any files downloaded to the tablet that were not synced elsewhere.
Back Up Your Data Before Resetting
Before you reset, sign in to your Samsung account and make sure Samsung Cloud is turned on. Go to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Samsung Cloud and toggle it on. This will back up your settings, wallpaper, and some app data. For photos and videos, open the Gallery app, tap the menu icon, and make sure Backup is enabled. This will upload your photos to Samsung Cloud or Google Photos, depending on which service you have set up.
For documents and files, open Google Drive or another cloud storage app and upload anything you want to keep. You can also connect the tablet to a computer using a USB cable and copy files to your computer's hard drive. Once you have backed up what matters, you can reset the tablet safely.
After the Reset: Setting Up Your Tablet Again
When the reset is complete and the tablet restarts, you will see the setup screen. Choose your language and connect to Wi-Fi. When you are asked to sign in, use the same Samsung account or Google account you used before. The tablet will begin downloading your apps automatically.
This process can take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many apps you had and how fast your internet is. Do not turn off the tablet or disconnect from Wi-Fi during this time. Once all your apps have downloaded, your photos and documents from the cloud will sync back, and your tablet will be ready to use.
If you do not remember your Samsung account password, you can reset it at account.samsung.com before you set up the tablet. If you do not remember your Google account password, go to accounts.google.com and use the account recovery process. You will need access to a phone number or backup email address linked to the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Samsung account?
No. A factory reset erases data stored on the tablet, but it does not remove your Samsung account from Samsung's servers. After the reset, you can sign back in with the same account and restore your apps and settings. If you want to remove your account completely, you must do that through your Samsung account settings before you reset.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once a factory reset is complete, the data erased from the tablet cannot be recovered. However, if you backed up your photos, documents, and settings to the cloud before the reset, you can restore them by signing back in with the same account. Local files that were never backed up are gone permanently.
How long does a factory reset take?
A reset through Settings usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. A reset using hardware buttons may take 10 to 15 minutes. A remote reset through Samsung Find Mobile can take longer because the tablet must first connect to the internet to receive the command. Do not turn off the tablet during any reset process.
What should I do if my tablet asks for a password after the reset?
If your tablet asks for a Samsung or Google account password after the reset, enter the password for the account you used before. If you do not remember the password, use the account recovery process on account.samsung.com or accounts.google.com from another device. You will need a phone number or backup email linked to the account.
Can I reset my tablet without losing my photos?
Only if your photos are backed up to the cloud. Before you reset, make sure your photos are uploaded to Google Photos, Samsung Cloud, or another cloud service. After the reset, sign back in with the same account and your photos will sync back to the tablet. Photos stored only on the tablet and never uploaded will be erased.