What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung Galaxy tablet and returns it to the state it left the factory—no apps you installed, no photos, no settings changes, no passwords saved in browsers. The tablet itself still works the same way; you are just clearing out all your personal data and customizations.
You might factory reset if you are selling or giving away the tablet, if it is running slowly and you want a clean start, if an app keeps crashing and nothing else fixes it, or if you forgot your PIN or password and cannot get past the lock screen. A reset is also the nuclear option when malware or a serious software glitch has made the tablet unreliable.
Before you start: back up anything you want to keep. Photos, documents, contacts, and app data can be backed up to your Samsung account, Google account, or a computer. Once you begin the reset, there is no undo.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset wipes all your personal data, apps, and settings and returns the tablet to its original state.
- You can reset through Settings on a working tablet, or through recovery mode if you cannot access the home screen.
- Back up your photos, documents, and contacts before you start, because the reset cannot be reversed.
- After the reset completes, you will sign in with a Samsung or Google account to restore some apps and settings automatically.
- If you are selling the tablet, a factory reset removes your personal data but does not remove the Samsung account that was first set up on it.
How to factory reset from Settings on a working tablet
If your tablet turns on and you can reach the home screen, this is the simplest path. Open Settings (the gear icon, usually in the app drawer or quick settings panel). Scroll down and tap General management or About tablet, depending on your model and Android version.
Look for Reset or Factory data reset. Tap it. The tablet will show you a summary of what will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read it carefully—this is your last warning. Tap Reset or Delete all to proceed. The tablet will restart and begin erasing data. This usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during this time.
When the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and show a welcome screen, as if it were brand new. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. If you sign in with the same account you used before, some apps and settings will restore automatically.
How to factory reset using recovery mode
If your tablet will not turn on, is stuck on a boot screen, or you cannot unlock it to reach Settings, you can reset it through recovery mode. This is a special menu built into the tablet's firmware that works even if Android will not load.
Turn off the tablet completely. Then press and hold Power and Volume Up at the same time for about 10 seconds. You should see the Samsung logo and then the recovery menu. (On some older models, the button combination is different—if this does not work, try Power and Volume Down together, or look up your specific model number.)
Use the Volume buttons to move up and down in the menu. Look for Wipe data / factory reset or Factory data reset. Press the Power button to select it. The menu will ask you to confirm. Use Volume Down to highlight Yes, then press Power. The tablet will erase everything and restart. This can take 10 to 20 minutes.
What happens after the reset is complete
When the tablet restarts, it will show the same welcome screen you saw when it was new. You will choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. If you use the same account you had before, the tablet will automatically read and reinstall apps you had previously installed from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store.
Your photos, documents, and other files that were backed up to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or OneDrive will also be available to restore. Contacts backed up to your Google account will reappear. However, any data stored only on the tablet itself—photos not backed up, notes in a local app, saved passwords—will be gone permanently.
If you are setting up the tablet for someone else, have them sign in with their own account during the welcome process. That way, their apps and data will restore to their account, not yours.
Removing your Samsung account before selling or giving away the tablet
A factory reset clears your personal files and apps, but it does not remove the Samsung account that was first registered on the tablet. This is a security feature called Reactivation Lock. If someone else tries to set up the tablet after the reset, they will be asked to sign in with the original Samsung account before they can use it.
Before you hand over the tablet, sign out of your Samsung account. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts (or Samsung account), select your account, and tap Sign out. You may be asked to enter your Samsung password to confirm. After you sign out, you can factory reset the tablet. The next person will be able to set it up with their own account without needing yours.
If you have already factory reset and cannot remember your Samsung account password, you can remove the account through Samsung Find Mobile. Go to findmobile.samsung.com, sign in with your Samsung account, select the tablet, and choose Unlock or Remove account. You will need access to the email address or phone number associated with your Samsung account.
Troubleshooting a reset that is stuck or not working
If the reset starts but the tablet seems frozen on a loading screen for more than 30 minutes, try a force restart. Press and hold Power and Volume Down together for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black and the tablet vibrates. Then release and wait for it to restart. If it is still stuck, try the recovery mode reset again.
If you see an error message during the reset, it usually means the tablet ran out of storage space or the battery died. Charge the tablet fully, then try again. If the error persists, the tablet may have a hardware problem, and you should contact Samsung support or visit a repair shop.
If you reset the tablet but it is still running slowly or crashing, the problem may not have been software. Check how much storage space is free by going to Settings > Storage. If you have less than 1 GB free, uninstall apps or delete files to make room. If storage is fine, the tablet may have a hardware issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware?
Yes, in most cases. A factory reset erases everything on the tablet, including malicious software. However, if malware is in the firmware itself (which is extremely rare), a standard reset may not remove it. If the tablet continues to behave strangely after a reset, contact Samsung support.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once the reset completes, all data stored only on the tablet is gone permanently. This is why backing up before you reset is critical. Data backed up to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or another cloud service can be restored after the reset.
Do I need to remove my Google account before resetting?
You do not have to, but it is a good idea if you are giving the tablet to someone else. If you do not remove it, the new owner will see your Google account during setup and may be prompted to sign in with it. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts, select your Google account, and tap Remove account.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most resets finish in 5 to 20 minutes, depending on how much data is on the tablet and how fast it is. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during this time. If it takes longer than 30 minutes, the tablet may be stuck.
What if I forgot my Samsung account password and cannot sign out?
You can remove the account remotely through Samsung Find Mobile at findmobile.samsung.com. Sign in with your Samsung account, select the tablet, and choose the option to remove or unlock the account. You will need access to the email or phone number tied to your Samsung account.