Device Security
How to Wipe Your Data Before Selling or Trading In Your Phone
Before selling or trading in a phone, back up what you need, sign out of accounts, remove SIM and memory cards, erase the device through settings, and confirm it returns to the setup screen.
The short answer
Back up what you want to keep, sign out of cloud and app store accounts, remove authentication apps carefully, erase all content through settings, and physically remove the SIM card before handing the phone over.
Deleting apps or signing out casually is not the same as wiping a phone.
- Back up data.
- Sign out of accounts.
- Erase all content.
- Remove SIM card.
What is at risk
A phone may contain saved passwords, email access, photos, documents, contact lists, payment apps, health data, location history, and recovery access to many other accounts.
- Email access
- Banking apps
- Photos and documents
- Authentication apps
Prepare before you erase
Transfer authenticator apps, backup codes, photos, contacts, and messages before the reset. Make sure your new device can receive account recovery codes.
Remove accounts and locks
Sign out of Apple, Google, app store, and cloud accounts before the reset. This helps avoid activation lock problems for the next owner.
- Remove primary account.
- Disable device tracking if required.
- Confirm account sign-out.
Erase through settings
Use the phone's built-in erase or factory reset option. When finished, the device should show the first setup screen, not your personal home screen.
- Use official settings.
- Wait for reset completion.
- Check setup screen.
Remove physical storage
Take out the SIM card and any memory card. These can store contacts, messages, or account clues separately from the phone's internal storage.
- Remove SIM.
- Remove memory card.
- Destroy cards you will not reuse.
After the sale or trade-in
Watch account alerts for a few days. If an old device still appears in account settings, remove it from trusted devices.
Frequently asked questions
Is a factory reset enough?
On modern encrypted devices it is usually effective, but backing up, signing out, and removing cards first is safer.
Should I remove the SIM card?
Yes. Remove SIM and memory cards before giving the phone away.
What if I forgot to sign out?
Use your cloud account's device page to remove the old device and change passwords if risk exists.
Sources
This guide is reviewed against official guidance. External pages may be updated by their respective owners.