Don’t ditch your old smartphone without a plan. Whether you’re selling, trading in, or recycling, taking the right steps is essential to protect your data and maximize its impact. A careless approach risks exposing personal information or missing out on financial and environmental benefits.
These 12 steps ensure your phone is secure, ready for its next owner, or responsibly recycled. Protect your identity and make the most of your device’s final chapter.
1. Back Up Everything
Your priority should be creating a complete device backup, including photos, videos, contacts, messages, and app data. Android and iOS offer built-in cloud backup solutions that simplify this process.
Remember to verify your backup was successful before proceeding with any data deletion.
Local files often need to be noticed during backups. Check your device’s file manager for downloading documents, screenshots, or app-specific content that might not be included in standard backups.
2. Secure Your Two-Factor Authentication
Deactivate two-factor authentication on your old device or transfer it to your new one. This is crucial as many services use authentication apps to generate security codes.
Failing to transfer these could lock you out of important accounts.
Update your mobile number for SMS-based authentication across all your services. This will ensure that you continue receiving security codes without interruption.
3. Remove SIM & SD Cards
Physical storage components need to be removed. Remove your SIM card and any SD cards from the device.
These components often contain personal data and can be transferred to your new device if compatible.
If you’re not reusing these components, ensure proper destruction of the SIM card to prevent unauthorized access to your phone number and carrier account.
4. Unlink Smart Home Devices
Smart home devices connected to your phone need attention.
To maintain uninterrupted access to your smart home ecosystem, transfer control to your new device before wiping the old one.
Test all smart home functions on your new device while you can access the old one. This prevents potential lockouts from your connected devices.
5. Sign Out of All Services
Systematically sign out of every account and service, including email accounts, social media accounts, banking apps, and streaming services.
Pay special attention to services with device limits, like Spotify or gaming platforms.
Don’t forget to deregister iMessage if switching to Android, as this can affect future message delivery.
6. Encrypt Your Data
Encrypt your device’s data before performing a factory reset. This adds an extra layer of security to prevent potential data recovery after wiping.
Most modern phones automatically encrypt data, but double-check your device’s security settings to confirm.
7. Perform a Factory Reset
To wipe all data, execute a complete factory reset.
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings on iPhone. For Android, navigate to Settings > System > Reset > Factory Data Reset.
Verify the reset was successful by attempting to boot up the device afterward. It should appear as if it’s fresh from the factory.
8. Clean the Device Physically
Give your phone a thorough physical cleaning.
Remove any cases or screen protectors and clean all surfaces. A clean device generally commands a better resale value.
If you plan to sell the device, document any damage or wear for transparency.
9. Gather Original Accessories
Collect all original accessories, packaging, and documentation. Including these items can significantly increase your phone’s resale value.
Organize and verify that all components are in working order before packaging them.
10. Research Your Phone’s Value
Check current market values for your specific model. Remember that phones depreciate quickly – every day you wait could mean less money.
Compare prices across multiple platforms to ensure you get the best possible value for your device.
11. Choose a Disposal Method
Decide whether to sell, trade in, or recycle.
If recycling, choose a certified e-waste recycler. Only 20% of cell phones are recycled annually, (ref) but recycling just one million phones can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to taking 1,368 cars off the road.
Proper recycling can recover valuable materials – including 35,274 pounds of copper and 75 pounds of gold per million phones.
12. Document the Process
Take screenshots of important steps and keep records of any reset confirmations. This protects you from potential future disputes about data privacy or device conditions.
Maintain a checklist of completed steps and keep any relevant receipts or confirmation emails for your records.
Read Next:
Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
