The fastest way to reset your Samsung tablet password
If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using your Samsung account. Go to the lock screen, tap Forgot password? below the password field, then enter the email address or phone number linked to your Samsung account. Samsung will send you a reset link by email or text. Click that link, create a new password, and you will be able to unlock your tablet.
If you do not have access to the email or phone number on file, or if you cannot remember your Samsung account password either, you have other options — but they require more steps and may erase your data. This guide walks you through each route so you can choose the one that fits your situation.
Key Takeaways
- The simplest reset uses your Samsung account email or phone number and takes about five minutes if you have access to both.
- If you cannot access your Samsung account recovery email or phone, you can use your Google account to unlock the tablet instead.
- A factory reset will erase all data on your tablet but does not require any account information — use this only if other methods fail.
- Samsung Find Mobile is a web tool that can reset your password remotely if you set it up before you forgot your password.
Reset using your Samsung account
This is the standard method and works on most Samsung tablets running Android 5.0 or later. At the lock screen, you will see a Forgot password? link below the password entry box. Tap it.
Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Samsung account. Samsung will send a password reset link to that email or a verification code to that phone number. Open the email or text message, follow the link or enter the code, then create a new password. Return to the lock screen and unlock your tablet with the new password.
This method works only if you still have access to the email inbox or phone number you registered with Samsung. If you have changed your email address or phone number since you created the account, you will need to use a different method.
Reset using your Google account
If you cannot access your Samsung account recovery email or phone, you can unlock your tablet using a Google account that you previously signed into on the device. At the lock screen, tap Forgot password?, then look for an option that says Sign in with Google or Unlock with Google Account (the exact wording varies by tablet model and Android version).
Enter the email address and password for the Google account you used on this tablet before. If Google recognizes the account and device combination, it will unlock your tablet. You can then set a new Samsung password in your device settings under Security or Lock screen.
This method only works if you have previously signed into a Google account on the tablet. If you have never added a Google account to the device, this option will not appear.
Use Samsung Find Mobile to reset remotely
If you set up Samsung Find Mobile before you forgot your password, you can reset it from any web browser. Go to findmobile.samsung.com, sign in with your Samsung account, and select your tablet from the list of devices. Choose Unlock my mobile and follow the prompts to set a new password.
The tablet must be powered on and connected to the internet for this to work. If your tablet is offline or powered off, Samsung Find Mobile cannot reach it. This method is most useful if you set it up in advance — it requires no data loss and works from anywhere.
To set up Samsung Find Mobile for the future, go to Settings > Accounts > Samsung account and make sure Find Mobile is turned on. You will also need to enable Location services in your device settings.
Factory reset as a last resort
If you cannot access any recovery email, phone number, or Google account, a factory reset will unlock your tablet. This method erases all data on the device — photos, apps, documents, and settings all disappear. Use this only when every other option has failed.
To perform a factory reset, power off the tablet completely. Then hold down the Power button and Volume Up button together for about 10 seconds until the Samsung logo appears. Release the buttons and wait for the recovery menu to load. Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and press the power button to select it. Confirm the reset when prompted.
After the reset completes, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen. You can then set up the device fresh with a new password and sign into your accounts. All previous data is permanently gone, so use this method only as a final option.
What to do if you are locked out of your Samsung account too
If you have forgotten both your tablet password and your Samsung account password, you will need to recover your Samsung account first. Go to account.samsung.com on a computer or another device, click Forgot password?, and follow the recovery steps using your registered email or phone number.
Once you have regained access to your Samsung account, you can use that account to reset your tablet password using the first method described above. If you no longer have access to the email or phone number on your Samsung account, contact Samsung Support — they can verify your identity and help you regain access to the account.
Preventing lockouts in the future
Write down your passwords and store them in a find location, or use a password manager app like Bitwarden or 1Password. Add a recovery email and phone number to your Samsung account and keep them current — go to account.samsung.com, sign in, and check Account settings > Recovery information.
Enable biometric unlock on your tablet if possible. Go to Settings > Security > Biometrics and set up fingerprint or face recognition. This way you can unlock the device without typing a password, and you are less likely to forget it. You will still need the password if the biometric system fails or if you restart the tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reset my password?
If you use your Samsung account email or phone, the reset link or code arrives within a few minutes. The entire process usually takes five to ten minutes. If you use Samsung Find Mobile, the reset is when ready once you confirm it on the web. A factory reset takes ten to twenty minutes to complete.
Will resetting my password erase my photos and files?
No — resetting your password using your Samsung account or Google account does not erase any data. Only a factory reset erases everything. If you use any method other than factory reset, your photos, apps, and files remain on the tablet.
What if my tablet is turned off?
You can still perform a factory reset by holding the power and volume buttons while the tablet is off — this boots it into recovery mode. For other reset methods, you will need to power on the tablet first so it can connect to the internet and receive the reset link or code.
Can I reset my password if I never set up a Samsung account?
Yes — you can use your Google account instead if you have signed into one on the tablet before. If you have never added either a Samsung account or a Google account, a factory reset is your only option.
Do I need to contact Samsung Support to reset my password?
Not for a standard password reset. You can do it yourself using the methods above. Contact Samsung Support only if you cannot access your recovery email or phone, have never added a Google account to the tablet, and do not want to perform a factory reset.