You cannot directly change administrator on Samsung tablet by reassigning the role from one existing user to another, the Owner account is permanent. The only way to transfer full device ownership is to perform a factory reset, which erases the tablet and lets the new owner set it up as the primary administrator.
The truth about how to change administrator on Samsung tablet
If you searched for how to change administrator on Samsung tablet expecting a simple toggle in Settings, you’ve likely hit a wall. That’s because Samsung tablets are designed with a single Owner account that is created during the very first setup. This Owner is the primary administrator, holds full control over the device, and manages all other user accounts. No menu option exists to hand that role to someone else while keeping your data and settings intact. The system simply does not allow two Owner accounts or a direct transfer of administrative rights between existing profiles. This limitation frustrates many users, but understanding it upfront saves you from wasted time clicking through settings that won’t produce the result you want.
The only way to transfer ownership: a factory reset
To actually change administrator on Samsung tablet, you must wipe the device completely and start fresh. This is the sole method that makes a different person the Owner. Before you do anything else, back up your important files, photos, documents, contacts, and app data, to your Samsung account, Google Drive, or an external storage device. Once the reset is complete, all local data disappears, so skipping this step means losing everything permanently.
Here’s how to perform the factory reset from the Settings menu:
- Open Settings on the tablet.
- Navigate to General management (or System, depending on your model).
- Tap Reset, then select Factory data reset.
- Review the warning about data deletion, then tap Reset.
- Enter your security PIN, pattern, or password if prompted.
- Tap Delete all to confirm and start the reset process.
After the tablet reboots, it will show the initial setup screen. At this point, hand the device to the new owner. They should sign in with their own Google account during setup. That account becomes the new Owner and primary administrator, giving them full control over settings, app installations, and user management. The previous owner’s data and account are gone, so there is no trace of the old administrator left behind.
Managing secondary users without a reset
If your goal is not to transfer ownership but simply to share the tablet with someone else, you don’t need a reset. You can add a standard user account that has its own space, apps, and settings while you remain the Owner. This is useful for family members, guests, or coworkers who need access without taking over administrative control.
To add a new user:
- Open Settings and tap Accounts and backup.
- Tap Users.
- Tap Add user or profile.
- Select User, then tap OK.
- Tap Set up now to complete the new user’s setup process.
Note that you may need a screen lock (PIN, pattern, or password) on your administrator account before you can add another user. The new user will go through a setup similar to the initial device setup, including signing into their own Google account if they want one.
To switch between user profiles, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick settings panel, tap the User icon, then select the desired user. Alternatively, go to Settings, tap Accounts and backup, tap Users, and choose the profile you want to switch to.
If you need to remove a non-administrator user later, go to Settings, tap Accounts and backup, tap Users, tap Delete next to that user’s name, and confirm by tapping Delete again. This does not affect the Owner account, and the original administrator profile cannot be removed unless the tablet undergoes a factory reset. You can also rename a non-administrator user by opening that user’s account, going to Settings, tapping Accounts and backup, tapping Users, selecting the user, typing a new name, and tapping OK.
Before adding a new user, make sure the tablet is running the latest software version and has sufficient storage space to accommodate another profile.
What about device admin apps?
You might see an option called “Device admin apps” in your security settings and wonder if it relates to changing the administrator. It does not. Device admin apps are separate from user accounts, they are applications that request special permissions, such as remote wipe or lock-screen controls, for enterprise or security purposes. These apps do not change who the tablet’s primary administrator is. The Owner account remains the sole administrator regardless of which device admin apps are active.
Verifying the new owner’s access
After the factory reset and new owner setup, confirm that the new administrator has full control. Have the new owner unlock the tablet and test a few administrative actions: open Settings and try changing a system option, install an app from the Play Store, and check the Users section under Accounts and backup to see if they can add or remove secondary users. If they can perform these tasks without error messages or permission denials, the transfer was successful. If something seems restricted, go back to Settings, check that the Google account used during setup is the one intended as the Owner, and ensure no leftover profiles from the previous setup exist. Once these checks pass, the new owner has complete administrative authority over the tablet.
