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How do I wipe an old phone or computer before selling or giving it away?

Reviewed answer

Back it up, sign out of your account, then use the built-in erase. That's enough for most people.

  1. Back up the device and make sure your new one has everything.
  2. Sign out of your Apple or Google account and turn off Find My. Otherwise the next owner can't use it.
  3. iPhone: search Settings for "Erase All Content and Settings". Android: search Settings for "factory reset". Newer Macs have the same erase option in System Settings.
  4. Windows: search Settings for "Reset this PC", choose Remove everything, and pick the option to clean the drive.
  5. Remove the SIM card and any memory card, and remove the device from your accounts' device lists.

Get help if

If the device is too broken to erase, ask the store taking the trade-in how they wipe it, or keep it rather than hand it over with your data.

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