How to remotely wipe your devices: A complete guide

What is a remote wipe?

A remote wipe can be initiated by sending a command to a specialized app or mobile device management software (MDM) that you’ve previously installed. Sending this command triggers the destruction of files on the device in question. With most remote wiping software, you can control what gets deleted or destroyed, including:

• Enterprise data only, leaving personal data behind.
• All data files on a device.
• Everything on the device, including the operating system, rendering it useless.

When should you perform a remote wipe?

Here are some of the most common situation when it might be beneficial to perform a remote wipe:

• Lost/stolen devices. Imagine you’re in a hurry, so you absentmindedly leave your phone on the subway. As soon as you realize that your beloved device is gone, along with all of your personal data, panic starts to creep in. However, performing a remote wipe can keep your sensitive data out of the hands of cybercriminals.
• Protecting enterprise data. If your company has a bring-your-own-device policy or if an employee suddenly quits, taking with them a company device, you can use remote wiping to prevent a data breach. You can also erase a device before passing it on to a new employee.
• Changing or upgrading devices. To ensure the safety of your information, you can use this procedure when changing or upgrading devices. You can wipe your computer hard drive or wipe your phone before selling it to be sure no one has access to your files.

How does a remote wipe work?

Remote wiping works by giving a network administrator or device owner the capability to send a command that remotely deletes data from a computing device. However, when you want to perform a remote wipe, two preconditions have to be met. First, you must have already installed an app for data wiping or an MDM program on the device you want to wipe. Second, the device must be connected to the internet so that it can receive the wipe command that you’ll send. If both of these conditions are in place, you can follow this simple procedure:

1. Log in to the MDM software or data-wiping app.
2. Select the device you wish to wipe from the list.
3. Indicate the specific files to wipe or the entire device.
4. Execute the wipe.
5. Check for notification that the wipe was successful.

If the device is not currently connected to the internet (for example, it’s turned off or in airplane mode), you can still follow this procedure to send the wipe command. The wipe will start as soon as the command is received the next time the device regains internet connectivity.

Remote wipes typically take only a few minutes. If you’re deleting absolutely everything on a device, including its programs and operating system, it could take a bit longer. However, unless the process is interrupted, remotely wiping a device shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes.

What are the limitations of remote wiping?

When you know the importance of data privacy, you’ll recognize just how useful a remote wipe can be. Here are the conditions that need to be met for the remote wipe to work:

• Devices must be turned on and connected to the internet. If a wipe command is sent, it won’t be executed until the device is next online.
• Remote wipes must be manually initiated. A lost phone or stolen laptop can’t be wiped until the owner realizes or reports it to administrators, who can order a wipe. During this lag time, malicious actors may be able to access some data.
• Rebooting can interrupt a wipe. If someone powers off or reboots a device during the wiping process, the administrator may have to send the wipe command again.
• Data must be backed up. If you order a wipe on a device without performing a data backup elsewhere, you can lose access to your files permanently.
• Files may be recoverable. Depending on the method of wiping used, experts may be able to recover deleted files, especially if they haven’t been overwritten.

How to remote wipe your devices

Performing a remote wipe is slightly different on mobile devices using different operating systems. However, the general procedure of logging in to wiping software, selecting a device, and initiating a wipe is consistent across platforms. Note that to remotely wipe your iPhone or iPad, you will have had to turn on “Find My iPhone” on the device before it was lost.

Settings might differ depending on the wiper and/or MDM software.

How to remote wipe your iPhone

1. Log in to your iCloud account through a web browser and go to “Find Devices” or open “Find iPhone” on another iOS device.
2. Locate your iPhone from the “All devices” list.
3. Select “Erase iPhone” to remotely wipe your iPhone.

How to remote wipe your Android device

1. Connect to your wipe software on another device and log in as necessary.
2. Find your Android device from the devices list and select it.
3. Select “Wipe” or “Delete” to send the remote wipe command.

How to remote wipe your laptop

1. Open your remote wipe or MDM software on another device.
2. Find your laptop from the devices list and select it.
3. Select “Wipe” or “Delete” to delete your laptop’s data.

How to remote wipe your iPad

1. Log in to iCloud through a web browser or open “Find iPhone” on another iOS device.
2. Locate your iPad from the “All devices” list.
3. Select “Erase iPad” to remotely wipe your iPhone.

Pros and cons of remote wipe

Who provides remote wipe services?

Many companies provide data protection as a service and offer wipe apps or MDM software to help delete data from lost or stolen devices.

• AirDroid Business – MDM tool for iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows
• Android Device Manager – MDM for Android devices with data wiping feature and 30-day recovery
• Apple Find My – Built-in locator and wipe program on iOS products
• Apple Business Manager – a web-based platform with a remote wipe feature
• Google Workspace – enterprise software that can wipe devices
• Knox Manage – MDM tool built into Samsung devices
• Prey – third-party app for tracking and wiping remote devices

FAQ

When should you issue a remote wipe?

When a lost or stolen device contains sensitive data, it’s time to issue a remote wipe. Companies should issue wipe orders when their employees lose devices, engage in malicious actions, or quit without returning company-owned devices. You should also wipe an old device that you’re selling or simply retiring to protect your data.

What is a remote data wipe?

A remote data wipe is a security feature that allows you to delete files from a mobile device remotely. By using a specialized app or mobile device management software, you can send a wipe command to delete specific files or absolutely everything from a lost, stolen, or compromised device.

Is remote wiping effective?

Yes, though it has its limitations, remote wiping is an effective part of a data security strategy that also includes encryption and strong passwords. It’s like an insurance policy that lets you protect sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands.

Does Exchange remote wipe remove everything?

Yes, you can use Microsoft Exchange to wipe an entire device or simply wipe an account associated with that device, leaving other data and programs intact.