Mar 19, 2022
1 min read
If you’re getting a new smartphone, you might want to sell your old device. If you’re going to do this, however, it’s important that all your sensitive data is wiped clean. To do this, you can factory reset your device. In this article, we’ll show you how to perform a full factory reset to factory settings and securely erase the data on Android phones and iPhone devices.
Sometimes a simple factory reset won’t completely erase all the data on your device, and the new owner of your device might easily restore your files, messages and even photos. Some apps and browsers might also store your login details and passwords. Before performing the factory reset, we recommend that you remove all applications from your device; that’s right, you should even delete VPN apps if you’re going to sell your device. So before you trade away your device, make sure that you follow these steps to carry out a factory reset and wipe it completely.
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Whether or not you’re going to perform a factory reset, returning your phone to factory settings, here are some things you should do before trading in your Android device.
If your phone came with an older operating system, you can skip to the next step. If you are unsure which version your phone is running, you can find that out by going to Settings> About device/phone> Software info.
1. Go to Settings;
2. Choose System;
3. Click Backup;
4. Switch it to “On.” Your data will be stored in Google Drive.
Android 8.1 or later automatically backs up your text messages (but not your call log). If you want a more secure way to save your text messages and your call log, you can use third-party tools to do so.
You should also sync your apps with your Google account. Normally, Google apps will sync with your account automatically, but if this doesn’t happen, you can sync them manually:
1. Go to Settings;
2. Tap Accounts;
3. Turn on Automatically sync data.
Please note that to sync other apps, you will have to check individual app settings and sync them manually.
1. Open the Google Photos app;
2. Sign in;
3. Click on the triple-bar icon in the top left corner;
4. Select Settings;
5. Tap Back up & sync;
6. Switch it on by tapping on the toggle next to the Back up to Google Drive option.
Keep in mind, however, that Google Photos is not the best choice in terms of privacy. If you are looking for something more private, check our list of more private photo apps.
The same goes for Google Drive. While it can be a useful back-up tool, there are many privacy-focused Google Drive alternatives.
If you have an Android 8.1 or later, your text messages (but not your call log) will be backed up automatically. If you want a more secure way to save your text messages and your call log, you can use SMS Backup & Restore, a Google app that will back everything up on your Gmail account. For a step-by-step guide, click here.
To complete your factory reset, follow these steps.
1. Go to Settings> System.
2. Tap Reset Options;
3. Choose Erase all data (factory reset);
4. Tap the Reset phone button;
5. Tap Erase everything. Your phone will be returned to the same state as when you purchased it.
Lastly, remove the device from your Google account. Head to the Recently Used Devices section in your Google account. Once you log in, you’ll be able to see which devices are connected and linked to your account. Find the phone you are selling, click on it, and then click ‘Remove.’
Check out our video on wiping your Android phone below.
Go to appleid.apple.com, log in to your account, and scroll down to ‘Devices.’ Here you’ll see all the devices linked to your Apple ID. Click on the device you wish to sell and click ‘Remove.’
Before wiping your phone clean, back up any data and personal information you want to keep. Remember, after a factory reset, all the data on the device is erased.
1. Tap Settings;
2. Click on your name;
3. Choose iCloud. Sign in to your account if you haven’t done so already;
4. Scroll down to find iCloud Backup and tap it;
5. Turn it on by tapping the toggle on the right;
6. Click Ok to confirm;
7. Tap Back Up Now. Just make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi to start a backup.
For extra security, you can encrypt your backup by doing the following:
1. Open iTunes and connect your phone to your computer;
2. Click on the button with the small phone icon;
3. Go to Summary and click on Encrypt iPhone backup;
4. Create a password for the backup;
5. iTunes will now back up your phone and encrypt your backup.
You must be signed in to your iCloud account to perform these steps. iCloud synchronizes and stores all your data in a virtual drive. You can also choose which apps to use with iCloud in Settings. You can back up text messages, contacts, and emails this way.
If you want to back up your call logs, you can only do so by using third-party software. If you have photos or music that you would like to keep, sync your phone with iTunes. For a step-by-step guide, visit Apple’s Support page.
Go to appleid.apple.com, log in to your account, and scroll down to ‘Devices.’ Here you’ll see all the devices linked to your Apple ID. Click on the device you wish to sell and click ‘Remove.’
1. Go to Settings;
2. Scroll down to General;
3. Tap Reset;
4. Press Erase All Content and Settings;
5. Click Erase Now. Tap one more time to confirm;
6. Enter your passcode;
7. Enter Apple ID password to erase the phone.
If you forgot your ID password, you can reset it by going to your account page, clicking on Forgot Apple ID or password?, and following the required steps. If you cannot retrieve your Apple ID password, you can still wipe your phone:
1. Connect your iPhone to a computer and open iTunes;
2. Click on the button with the small phone icon;
3. Go to Summary and click on Restore iPhone.
Be aware that erasing your iPhone this way doesn’t delete all your data and settings completely. The deleted information cannot be accessed via the iOS interface, but it stays on your device and could be accessed by an experienced technician or hacker. To erase your data completely, you have to overwrite it using a third-party app. Just make sure you use a reliable program that respects your privacy.
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