You've come to the right place if you're looking to give your Verizon Samsung tablet a fresh start! Whether you're troubleshooting persistent issues, preparing to sell or gift your device, or simply want to erase all your personal data, a factory reset is the ultimate solution. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth and successful reset.
So, are you ready to reclaim your tablet's performance and privacy? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Prepare for the Reset – The Crucial Pre-Game
Before we dive into the actual reset, there are some absolutely vital preparatory steps you need to take. Skipping these could lead to lost data and unnecessary headaches.
Sub-heading 1.1: Back Up Your Precious Data
This is perhaps the most important step! A factory reset will erase everything on your tablet – photos, videos, apps, contacts, documents, and settings. Think of it as hitting a giant "delete" button.
Cloud Backup: If you use Google Photos, Google Drive, or Samsung Cloud, make sure your data is synced.
Google Photos: Open the app, go to settings, and ensure "Backup & sync" is turned on.
Google Drive: Files you've uploaded manually will remain. For app data, check individual app settings.
Samsung Cloud: Go to your tablet's settings, then "Accounts and backup," and select "Samsung Cloud" to back up your data.
Local Backup: Consider transferring important files to a computer or an external storage device (like a USB drive with an OTG adapter).
Connect your tablet to your computer using a USB cable.
On your tablet, you might need to select "File transfer" or "MTP" mode when prompted.
Browse your tablet's storage on your computer and copy over any essential files.
Sub-heading 1.2: Remove Your Google and Samsung Accounts
This step is critical for security and to prevent "Factory Reset Protection" (FRP) issues, especially if you're selling or giving away the tablet. FRP is a security feature that prevents unauthorized users from accessing a device after a factory reset. If the accounts are not removed, the new owner might be prompted to enter your old account credentials.
Go to Settings on your tablet.
Scroll down and tap on Accounts and backup (or just "Accounts" on older versions).
Tap on Manage accounts.
Select your Google account(s) one by one and tap Remove account. Confirm when prompted.
Do the same for your Samsung account.
Sub-heading 1.3: Charge Your Tablet
Ensure your tablet has at least 50% battery life, ideally fully charged. A low battery during the reset process could lead to complications or even brick your device. You don't want the tablet dying in the middle of a critical operation!
Sub-heading 1.4: Disconnect External Storage
QuickTip: Pay close attention to transitions.
If you have a microSD card inserted, it's a good idea to remove it before performing the reset. While a factory reset typically doesn't affect external storage, it's better to be safe than sorry, especially if the card contains important files.
| How To Factory Reset A Verizon Samsung Tablet |
Step 2: The Factory Reset – Method 1: Through Settings (The Easy Way)
This is the most straightforward and recommended method if your tablet is functional and you can access the settings menu.
On your Verizon Samsung tablet, go to Settings. You can usually find the gear icon in your app drawer or by pulling down the notification shade and tapping the gear.
Scroll down and tap on General management.
Tap on Reset.
You'll see several reset options. Tap on Factory data reset.
The tablet will then show you a list of all the data that will be erased. Read this carefully to confirm you're aware of what's about to happen.
Scroll to the bottom and tap on the Reset button.
You might be asked to enter your PIN, pattern, or password to confirm your identity. This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized resets.
Finally, tap on Delete all (or a similar confirmation button).
Your tablet will now restart and begin the factory reset process. This can take several minutes. Once complete, it will boot up to the initial setup screen, just like it did when it was brand new.
Step 3: The Factory Reset – Method 2: Through Recovery Mode (The Hard Reset)
This method is useful if your tablet is experiencing software issues, is frozen, or you cannot access the settings menu. This is often referred to as a "hard reset."
Sub-heading 3.1: Power Off Your Tablet Completely
Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds.
Tap on Power off.
Wait for a few moments to ensure the tablet is completely shut down.
Sub-heading 3.2: Boot into Recovery Mode
This step requires a specific combination of physical buttons. The exact combination can vary slightly between Samsung tablet models, but the most common ones are:
Option A (Most Common): Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button simultaneously. Keep holding them until you see the Samsung logo appear, then release both buttons.
Option B (For some older models with a Home button): Press and hold the Volume Up button, the Home button, and the Power button simultaneously. Release all buttons once the Samsung logo appears.
If you don't get it on the first try, don't worry! It might take a few attempts to get the timing right. You should eventually see a screen with a list of options, usually with a green Android robot.
Tip: Reread the opening if you feel lost.
Sub-heading 3.3: Navigate and Select "Wipe data/factory reset"
Once in Recovery Mode, use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to navigate through the options. The touchscreen will not work here.
Highlight "Wipe data/factory reset".
Press the Power button to select it.
Sub-heading 3.4: Confirm the Reset
You will be asked to confirm your choice. Use the Volume Down button to highlight "Yes" or "Factory data reset" (depending on your tablet model).
Press the Power button to confirm.
The tablet will now proceed with the factory reset. You'll see text scrolling on the screen as it erases data.
Sub-heading 3.5: Reboot System Now
Once the reset is complete, you will be taken back to the Recovery Mode menu.
"Reboot system now" should be highlighted by default.
Press the Power button to select it.
Your tablet will now restart and boot into the initial setup screen.
Step 4: Setting Up Your Tablet (Post-Reset)
After the factory reset is complete, your Verizon Samsung tablet will be just like it was when you first took it out of the box.
You'll be greeted by the initial setup wizard.
Follow the on-screen prompts to select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with your Google account (if you wish).
You can then restore your data from a backup if you created one earlier.
Congratulations! You have successfully factory reset your Verizon Samsung tablet. It should now be free of any old data and potentially running more smoothly.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions you might have about factory resetting your Verizon Samsung tablet:
Tip: Bookmark this post to revisit later.
How to know if my tablet is a Verizon model?
You can usually tell if your tablet is a Verizon model by looking for the Verizon logo on the device itself (often on the back or front bezel), or by checking the "About tablet" section in your device settings under "Software information" or "Model number." It might also have Verizon-specific pre-installed apps.
How to back up my photos before a factory reset?
To back up photos, you can use cloud services like Google Photos (ensure "Backup & sync" is enabled in the app settings), or manually transfer them to a computer or an external drive via a USB cable.
How to remove my Google account from my tablet?
Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts, tap on your Google account, and then select "Remove account."
How to reset a Samsung tablet without a password?
If you've forgotten your password and can't access settings, you'll need to use the "Recovery Mode" method (Method 2) described in Step 3 of this guide.
How to prevent Factory Reset Protection (FRP) after a reset?
To avoid FRP issues, ensure you remove all Google and Samsung accounts from your tablet before performing the factory reset.
Tip: Make mental notes as you go.
How to restore data after a factory reset?
During the initial setup process after a reset, you'll be given the option to restore data from a previous Google Drive or Samsung Cloud backup, provided you backed up your data before the reset.
How to factory reset a tablet that won't turn on?
If your tablet won't turn on at all, a factory reset is unlikely to fix the issue as it's a software procedure. This usually indicates a hardware problem, and you might need to contact Verizon support or a repair center.
How to sell my tablet safely after a factory reset?
After a factory reset, your personal data should be erased. For extra peace of mind, after the reset, you can optionally set up the tablet again, fill it with some dummy data (like a few photos), and then perform another factory reset. This overwrites the space multiple times, making data recovery even harder.
How to resolve battery drain issues after a factory reset?
While a factory reset often helps with software-related battery drain, if the issue persists, it might indicate a failing battery or another hardware problem. In such cases, professional repair or replacement might be necessary.
How to update my tablet's software after a factory reset?
After the initial setup, connect your tablet to Wi-Fi, then go to Settings > Software update (or "System updates") and check for any available updates. Install them to ensure your tablet is running the latest software.