What Factory Reset Does and When to Use It
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung tablet—all apps, photos, messages, settings, and files—and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is useful when you're selling or giving away the tablet, when it's running slowly or freezing, or when you want to start fresh after a malware infection. The process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is stored.
Before you start, understand that this action cannot be undone. Once you confirm the reset, everything is gone. Back up any photos, documents, or other files you want to keep to cloud storage (Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, OneDrive) or to a computer first.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, files, and any data you want to keep before starting, because a factory reset permanently deletes everything on the tablet.
- You can reset through Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset, or through the recovery menu if your tablet won't start normally.
- You will need your Samsung account password or Google account password to complete the reset and prevent someone else from using the tablet afterward.
- The reset takes 10 to 30 minutes and the tablet will restart several times—do not turn it off during this process.
- After the reset completes, the tablet will ask you to set up as new or sign into your accounts, just like when you first bought it.
Back Up Your Data Before You Start
Open the Settings app and go to Accounts and Backup (or Accounts, depending on your tablet model). Tap Backup and Restore or Samsung Cloud Backup. Select what you want to back up—photos, contacts, messages, app data—and tap Back Up Now. This sends your data to your Samsung account in the cloud.
For photos and files you want extra copies of, open Google Drive or another cloud storage app, tap the plus button or upload icon, and select the files from your tablet. You can also connect your tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy files directly to a folder on your computer.
Reset Through Settings (If Your Tablet Starts Normally)
Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap General Management. Tap Reset. Tap Factory Data Reset. Read the warning that appears—it will list what will be deleted. Tap Reset.
The tablet will ask for your Samsung account password or Google account password. Enter it. This step prevents someone else from using your tablet after the reset. Tap Reset again to confirm. The tablet will restart and show a progress bar. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during this time. The process usually takes 10 to 30 minutes.
When the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. You can now set it up as a new device or sign into your accounts.
Reset Through Recovery Mode (If Your Tablet Won't Start)
If your tablet is frozen, won't turn on, or won't load Settings, you can reset it through recovery mode. First, turn off the tablet completely. Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time for about 10 seconds until the Samsung logo appears. Release the buttons.
The recovery menu will appear with white text on a black background. Use the Volume Down button to highlight "Wipe data/factory reset" and press the Power button to select it. A confirmation screen will appear. Use Volume Down to highlight "Yes" and press Power to confirm. The tablet will reset. When it finishes, use Volume Down to highlight "Reboot system now" and press Power. The tablet will restart and show the setup screen.
What Happens After the Reset Completes
Your tablet will restart and ask you to choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi. It will then ask whether you want to restore from a backup or set up as new. If you backed up to Samsung Cloud or Google, you can choose to restore your apps, contacts, and settings. If you set up as new, you will need to read your apps again from the Google Play Store.
The tablet will ask you to sign into your Google account and any other accounts you use. You will need the passwords for these accounts. Once you are signed in, your apps will begin to read automatically if you chose to restore from backup.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery while the reset is running. The progress bar may seem to freeze for a few minutes—this is normal. Wait for the tablet to restart on its own.
Do not forget your Samsung account password or Google account password before you start. You will need one of these to complete the reset. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it on a computer or phone before you reset the tablet.
Do not assume the reset will fix a hardware problem like a cracked screen or a broken charging port. A factory reset only erases data and software. If your tablet has a hardware issue, a reset will not repair it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop the reset once it starts?
No. Once you confirm the reset, it will complete. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery. If the tablet seems stuck, wait at least 30 minutes before assuming something went wrong—resets can take longer than expected.
Will the reset remove my Google account?
The reset erases all data and apps, but it does not remove your Google account from Samsung's servers. After the reset, you will need to sign in again with your Google password. If you do not sign in, you will not be able to read apps from the Play Store.
What if I forgot my Samsung account password?
Go to the Samsung account website on a computer, click "Forgot your password?", and follow the steps to reset it. You will need access to the email address you used to create the account. Once you reset the password, use the new one when the tablet asks for it during the factory reset.
Do I need Wi-Fi to do a factory reset?
You need Wi-Fi or a mobile connection to enter your account password during the reset. If your tablet cannot connect to Wi-Fi, connect it to a computer and use Samsung Smart Switch software to reset it instead. You can read Smart Switch from Samsung's website.
Will a factory reset make my old tablet run faster?
A reset can improve speed if the tablet was slow because of too many apps or corrupted files. It will not help if the tablet is slow because of a hardware problem, like an old processor or too little memory. After the reset, avoid downloading too many apps at once, and delete apps you no longer use.