How to reset a tablet or an iPad

You may have noticed that your tablet or iPad is running a bit slower than usual. Often, their memory is very full and it is necessary to delete unnecessary files. Due to downloading some application or the ads that appear on the websites you browse, viruses may have been installed without you realizing it, and the most effective way to remove them is to reset the device. Discover how to reset a tablet. It is very simple and will improve your device’s performance.

When you reset a device, you restore it to factory settings, that is, it returns to how it was when you first turned it on, so you will need to enter your personal information again or recover it through a previously made backup. To perform a reset, you must know the operating system of your device, that is, whether it is Android or iOS.

Android operating system

Resetting an Android tablet is very simple. The first thing you should do is create a backup so you do not lose files or photos stored on the device. For this, it is advisable to be connected to a WiFi network since these actions require a large amount of data and could use up your entire data plan.

First, enter the menu of your tablet, usually an icon with several small white squares inside it. When you tap it, the applications menu will open. At this point, you should look for the settings; to find it, look for the icon of a metal cogwheel. If you cannot find it, you can always use the device’s integrated search tool.

Go to settings and scroll down until you find the section Backup. You should tap on make backup. Then, the tablet will start gathering the device’s data and storing it in your Gmail account. Once this process is finished, you can continue with the reset. This step is not necessary if you do not want to keep any files from the tablet.

Within Backup, keep scrolling down until you find the option "reset" or "reset to factory settings". Tap on it and confirm the action; it is likely to ask for your PIN or unlock pattern to continue. The device will start the process and the tablet will restart by itself when it finishes.

iOS operating system on iPad

If you have an iOS operating system on your iPad, you can also reset it, and although the process is just as simple as on Android, the procedures vary a bit. As in the previous case, you can make a backup by going to settings within the menu (it also has the same icon as on Android), then you must tap on your name and a menu will open; tap on iCloud and then on Backup.

Once the backup is finished, you have two options: reset the iPad through the computer or do it directly from the device. If you do it from the computer, you must connect the iPad using the USB cable. When the pop-up window appears, select your device, tap restore, and then confirm the action.

To restore it without a computer, just go to Settings, tap on the section called "General" and then on "Erase content and settings". If asked, enter your Apple ID password or your access code and confirm the operation. Once the process is finished, the device will restart and you will have the most recent version available at that time installed on your iPad.