Selling or recycling your phone? Wiping it first protects your privacy and makes the device ready for a new owner. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for iPhones and Android phones, as well as safe options for non-working devices. Follow the checklist to make sure you don’t leave personal data behind.
Related: 2025 iOS and Android Alternatives.
Why You Must Wipe Your Phone First
Leaving accounts, photos, messages, or saved passwords on a device not only renders the device useless to a buyer but also potentially exposes your identity and personal history. To remove accounts, disable activation locks, and get the phone back to its original out-of-box state, please follow the steps below.
iPhone Step-by-Step Wipe Guide
- Back up your data
Use iCloud or a local backup via Finder or iTunes to save photos, contacts, and app data. - Sign out of Apple services
- iOS 10.3 or later: Go to Settings > [Your Name]. Scroll down and tap Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
- iOS 10.2 or earlier: Go to Settings > iCloud > Sign Out. Then go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > Sign Out.
- Unpair accessories
Unpair the Apple Watch and disconnect Bluetooth devices to avoid linking issues for the new owner. - Turn off Find My
In Settings under your Apple ID, select Find My, then toggle off Find My iPhone to disable Activation Lock. - Erase All Content and Settings
Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your passcode, followed by your Apple ID password, to confirm. - Remove SIM and memory cards
Take out the SIM card and any external storage before shipping or handing over the phone. - Final check
Once erased, make sure your iPhone displays the “Hello” setup screen, confirming it is ready for the next owner.
Related: What Users Are Saying About iPhone 17 One Month Later?
Android Phone Step-by-Step Wipe Guide
Note that the options menu will vary by manufacturer, but these core steps apply to Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and most Android phones. Regardless of the brand, you must remove your Google Account before performing the factory reset to disable Factory Reset Protection (FRP):
- Back up your data
Use Google Backup, Google Photos, or the manufacturer’s backup tool to save contacts, messages, photos, and settings. - Remove the Google account and disable FRP
Open Settings > Accounts, then remove your Google account. Removing the account prevents Factory Reset Protection from locking the Android phone for its next owner. - Sign out of other services
Log out of the Samsung account, Facebook, Gmail, and other apps that remain linked to the device. - Encrypt the device if available
For extra security, enable encryption under Settings > Security if the device offers it before resetting. - Factory reset
Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data Factory reset. Confirm with your PIN, password, or pattern. - Remove SIM and the SD card
Physically remove the SIM card and any external microSD card you may have installed. - Final check
When the phone restarts, it should display the initial setup screen, confirming that the wipe was successful.
How to Erase a Non-Working or Damaged Phone
If the screen is cracked, the phone won’t power on, or it’s lost, you can still protect your data remotely or prepare for safe disposal.
In case of the remote wipe, the erasure will begin automatically the next time the phone connects to the internet:
- iPhone Remote Erase
Sign in to iCloud and use Find My to select your device, then choose Erase iPhone. After erasing, remove the device from your account to disable Activation Lock. - Android Remote Erase
Use Google’s Find My Device to sign in, choose the device, and select Erase Device. If remote erase is unavailable, remove the device from your Google account to prevent future access. - If remote erase fails or the phone is irreparable
Remove the SIM and, if possible, physically destroy or remove storage components before recycling. Use an authorized e-waste recycler that is certified in secure data destruction and has the necessary equipment to physically shred or dismantle the phone, destroying the internal storage chip (eMMC or SSD).
Quick Pre-Sale Checklist
- Your photos, contacts, and messages are backed up
- Signed out of Apple, Google, and manufacturer accounts
- Find My and Activation Lock are disabled for iPhone, or the Google account is removed for Android
- Factory reset completed and setup screen visible
- SIM and SD cards removed
- The phone is cleaned, and the accessories are located and organized for sale or recycling.
While smartphones depreciate quickly (manufacturers expect us to upgrade yearly), if your iPhone or Android cell is less than four years old, still functions, and has no major cosmetic blemishes, consider checking if you can sell it before exhausting other options.
Why reselling pre-owned technology matters
- It extends the lifecycle by at least another three years on average
- It allows the owner to recoup some cash from their outdated phone
- It provides affordable tech to those who cannot afford to pay full price at the retail store.
To see how much a used phone is worth, visit GadgetSalvation.com or a similar buyback site to obtain the most current estimate or even sell it.
Closing Tip
Always back up personal data before wiping the phone, and confirm it boots to the initial setup screen. A correct clean wipe ensures your smartphone is sellable/can be donated while also protecting your privacy. Lastly, if you bought a used phone that is locked to the previous owner, ask them to do a remote wipe, using the guide above.
FAQ
Olena is an operations manager at Gadget Salvation, wearing many hats and navigating the intersections of efficiency and innovation. With a deep passion for tech and sustainability, they thrive on exploring solutions that drive progress while protecting our planet.
