Wiping Your Old Phone Clean: A Guide to Factory Resetting Before Selling

Upgrading to a brand new phone? Before you get swept away by the excitement of your shiny new device, take a moment to properly prepare your old phone for its next chapter. This crucial step involves a factory reset, which erases all your personal data and returns the phone to its original, out-of-the-box state.

Why You Need to Factory Reset

Selling or giving away your old phone without a factory reset is a security risk. Your data, from photos and messages to login credentials, could end up in the wrong hands. Additionally, features like Factory Reset Protection on Android phones can prevent new users from setting up the device if your accounts haven’t been removed.

Backup is Key

Before diving into the reset process, prioritize backing up your data. This includes photos, messages, contacts, and app data. Some apps require in-app backup functions, so be sure to check those as well. Remember to transfer any two-factor authentication codes from apps like Google Authenticator before wiping your phone.

Getting Your iPhone Ready

For iPhone users, start by backing up your device using iCloud or iTunes. If you use Apple Watch, unpair it from your iPhone within the Watch app. Switching to Android? Disable iMessage in the Messages settings to avoid missing messages on your old device. Finally, remove the SIM card.

Apple Makes Resetting Easier (iOS 15 and Later)

Apple has streamlined the factory reset process for iOS 15 and later. Previously required steps, like turning off Find My iPhone and logging out of your Apple ID, are now automatically handled during the reset.

Resetting iPhones with iOS 14 and Earlier

For iPhones running iOS 14 or earlier, navigate to Settings > your name > Find My and turn off Find My iPhone. Then, log out of your Apple ID by tapping Apple ID at the top left, going back and scrolling down to tap Sign Out. Confirm by entering your password and tapping Sign Out again.

Wiping Your iPhone Clean

Now you’re ready for the reset! Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and tap Erase All Content and Settings. Confirm the action, and the process will take a few minutes to complete.

Preparing Your Android Phone

Android users should begin by backing up their data and removing any MicroSD and SIM cards. Similar to iPhones, some Android apps require in-app backups. Don’t forget to transfer two-factor authentication codes.

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Disabling Factory Reset Protection (FRP) on Android

Android’s Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a security feature that requires the last logged-in Google account to set up the phone after a reset. While FRP typically activates only after using the recovery menu to wipe the phone, it’s recommended to disable it for a smoother transition. The process varies slightly depending on your device’s manufacturer.

Removing Your Google Account (and Others) on Android

Here’s a general guide for removing your Google account (and any others) on popular Android devices:

Google Pixel: Go to Settings > Passwords and accounts. Select each account and tap Remove Account.

Samsung Galaxy: Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts. Select each account and tap Remove Account.
Factory Resetting Your Android Phone

The reset process will vary slightly depending on your phone’s manufacturer. Here are examples for popular devices:

Google Pixel: Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset) > Erase all data (enter your PIN) > Erase all data again.

Samsung Galaxy: Go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset. Scroll down and tap Reset, then Delete all (you might need your Samsung account details).

Consult your phone’s manufacturer website for specific instructions if you’re unsure about the process.

Your Phone’s New Beginning

With the factory reset complete, your phone is ready for its next adventure! Consider selling it, giving it away, or even repurposing it as a home security camera.