{"id":9709,"date":"2018-12-15T12:00:16","date_gmt":"2018-12-15T20:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=9709"},"modified":"2022-11-10T05:56:40","modified_gmt":"2022-11-10T13:56:40","slug":"how-to-completely-wipe-your-phone-before-selling-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-completely-wipe-your-phone-before-selling-it\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Completely Wipe Your Phone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We put more of our personal lives on our phones than we care to admit, including everything from our home address to our banking information. Let\u2019s face it, having all this <strong>information available at our fingertips in a travel-size database<\/strong> is convenient.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It makes life easier, but it also <strong>provides a window for third parties to access your private data<\/strong>. To protect personal information, you need to clean your phone before getting rid of it. I\u2019ll show you why factory reset isn\u2019t enough and, importantly, how you can completely wipe your iOS and Android phones to keep your data safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What You Can Expose if You Don\u2019t Wipe Your Phone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s important to thoroughly wipe devices before selling, recycling, trading, or donating them. <strong>On a majority of devices, a factory reset isn\u2019t enough to keep your data safe<\/strong>. The list of data you can expose if you don\u2019t properly wipe your phone is extensive, but <strong>here are a few critical forms of information you put at risk<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Credit card\/banking information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal photos<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>App data, including login information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Biometric data<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work\/personal emails<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Texts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>File downloads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other sensitive documents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pasted-image-0.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pasted-image-0.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21722\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pasted-image-0.png 960w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pasted-image-0-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/pasted-image-0-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Most of our lives are stored on mobile devices.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=completely_wipe_phone\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\">Secure Your Mobile Device <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Backup Your Phone Data<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During activation, you\u2019ll get a prompt to create an account with the mobile phone creator (e.g., Samsung, Google, or Apple). <strong>If you back up mobile data to Google OneDrive, you can easily restore your preexisting data on most platforms <\/strong>\u2013 including iOS, Android, and ChromeOS.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This doesn\u2019t mean you have to set up an account with the mobile company or use their cloud service as a backup for your mobile data. It just makes it easier to transfer mobile data cross-platform. You can <strong>use any cloud service your mobile provider offers<\/strong> or backup to a Samsung or Apple account (they also use the cloud).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The process is straightforward regardless of how you back up your data to the cloud<\/strong>. Here\u2019s how it would look on an Android device with a backup account already created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click on <strong><em>Settings<\/em><\/strong><strong>, scroll down to the<\/strong><strong><em> Accounts and backup<\/em><\/strong><strong> tab,<\/strong> and open it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/qwKcRqMpoJBxcYRl_aDziJmw0_zzGPjAdq8NCxA_dcWycy7BFYMM9ZCamDvs8eMaerEBVPpSAFAqnAWeRYKLrSzcBwuL0MBmpHO60CIBn28w1u5PCmB4tYnYNhUTOWh_rdN2D-D79FtaHFPYo1bRohIUZqyuERN8xneMJiAV2RIsPdET47ioZdWqfA\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00a0Finding Settings in Android is easy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"2\">\n<li>Click on the <strong><em>Back up data<\/em><\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/Sa8qXbRJSF7JdUKUekjuDz1lGhHZSblkvy2Z4anLL_iHIYX6YV0pL_RvNchreyIjZMF7PK0oXIJmjsz4goJDIuhlXLRiNahHYBP2KOOF5GiUUwaD1oBUqVPXDR9Sbf4aRQiZ_uhZw8MJD4jkHqaAkO33HoPEVhTAJgT1YFBcLZNsD2ynWZIk1Nwdrg\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Android\u2019s Accounts and backup feature.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"3\">\n<li>Scroll down to <strong><em>Backup by Google One <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0to make sure it\u2019s turned on. Check you have selected the different types of data you want to back up, then click on <strong><em>Back up now<\/em><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/1en7Cdec9IBW46w9xfJROO7HqSym1wzGgCjsEbZd2Yk27AQZK0sS7EF9p4gSil5oc91GqqimrLbe29wk13gVFB_Vo5WP4ZBE0kxs-hN2FAnO7cxT-Q3jFh7R3cCAzMswa_Vu2LBTPvxh-8tDp_lgVBX3KSdOES8lxIT49PIrHN6f2QkMlrfpLs6Wig\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Google One backs your data to the cloud.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"4\">\n<li>You\u2019ll see a <strong>confirmation message at the bottom of the window<\/strong> saying your data is being backed up.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/2BOndkvwvpUPyBaQkXebxwh_uol39-TNZ4mX-xNXtRFKbFsemlNO-pNhl2JOlQbQ7Q-VBeUPlSAO2-JPqIU28SeTd-rKLZ4sd-bZiN0T4WM03kXzqlhlZ1pEwkJAyiLzhWAceQuUSmEdpGsnIPrHhxaMpCje1Uiuo0rYY-7G_yke1dtqR7QKyi2dpQ\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You did it, backup is successful!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep in mind the exact settings tabs may be slightly different between OSs and manufacturers. The table below gives you short-form instructions on how to activate backup on your specific device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table>\n  <thead><tr><th colspan=\"2\" class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\" style=\"background-color: #134f5c; color: #ffffff; border: none; padding: 5px;\"><strong>Mobile Device Backup Directions<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n  <tbody><tr>\n    <td>iCloud<\/td>\n   <td>Settings &gt; iCloud &gt; Choose data for backup &gt; Press Backup<\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n   <td>Samsung Cloud<\/td>\n   <td>Settings &gt; Select your name &gt; Samsung Cloud &gt; Choose data for backup &gt; Press Backup<\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n    <td>OneDrive: Android &amp; Chrome OS<\/td>  \n    <td>Settings &gt; Google &gt; Backup &gt; Turn on Backup by Google One &gt; Follow the prompts &gt; Press Backup Now<\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr><td>OneDrive: iOS<\/td>\n  <td>Install the Google Drive app &gt; Open it and select Menu &gt; Settings &gt; Backup &gt; Choose data for backup &gt; Press Start<\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<tr><td>Mi Cloud (Xiaomi)<\/td>\n<td>Settings &gt; Mi account &gt; Mi Cloud &gt; Select Backup Device &gt; Turn on Mi Cloud Backup &gt; Schedule backup time &gt; Press Backup Now<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you already have your backup set up, simply go to <em>Settings<\/em> on your device, find the <em>Back up<\/em> feature, and make sure it has run recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Difference Between Factory Reset &amp; A Complete Wipe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Factory resetting phones is a valiant effort at protecting your privacy, but <strong>it doesn\u2019t delete everything<\/strong>. Any standard recovery software may unearth photos, emails, texts, and even account information like usernames and passwords. This is fine if every mobile operating system (OS) encrypted data, but very few do (Android 6.0+ encrypts your data by default).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Most phones don\u2019t erase data when you factory reset the phone \u2013 they simply bookmark it for reuse<\/strong>. This leaves a trace of it on the hard disk drive (HDD) until the old data is overwritten with new data. When you permanently delete accounts from a device before resetting it to factory defaults, you eliminate potential risks to your privacy and security by removing the data completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=completely_wipe_phone\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\">Protect Your Privacy <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-wipe\"><strong>How to Wipe Your Phone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure you\u2019ve taken all the proper steps to <strong>back up your contacts, photos, files, and other critical information<\/strong> before you wipe your phone. At this point, you can continue wiping your phone. The process is fairly simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open <strong><em>Settings<\/em><\/strong> and click on <strong><em>Accounts and back up<\/em><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/qwKcRqMpoJBxcYRl_aDziJmw0_zzGPjAdq8NCxA_dcWycy7BFYMM9ZCamDvs8eMaerEBVPpSAFAqnAWeRYKLrSzcBwuL0MBmpHO60CIBn28w1u5PCmB4tYnYNhUTOWh_rdN2D-D79FtaHFPYo1bRohIUZqyuERN8xneMJiAV2RIsPdET47ioZdWqfA\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Return to Settings to wipe your phone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"2\">\n<li>Click on <strong><em>Reset<\/em><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/Vem9G1L67H23lNfpQfJODnvmfCS15eeWMfqzO3IM74-jfTk4OLaPG5uPSrcWqgmG86whcrdYalEh82kNPrF10_3Lfc9z1U0jXV4FMWZlhoyfiosqyBUkj2SN_TAlJooURL-gijCPxsgaq3LrVceNExWYE1zGBQtEu06M6-Z6vvOd4zdjoTxKe1_d3A\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Reset is the last option in the window.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"3\">\n<li>Select <strong><em>Factory data reset<\/em><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/vYF0nPz7nRK_8mKVul3J60T5A1ykCBnzjnfTSmcDfClBmw8UHv5JGqFazD0tE-jc-arb95_vvLsZTyFaBDUff47REvequNaBOgx9Lc6O7OshM9PoXxw1yjDGj9xJuSCzN4lLayGM8dhr9XuEoy6KGXN8gyosB7IF0y66G41Fjo0ogzupk4P5FrWKHw\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Make sure you pick Factory Data Reset.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"4\">\n<li>The next window <strong>shows you all suggested erased data <\/strong>and provides a <em>Reset<\/em> button.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Click the <\/strong><strong><em>Reset<\/em><\/strong><strong> button<\/strong> once you\u2019re sure you wish to wipe the device.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/4kS-xtIoY4C4OqWld1tOyTAL-JymvOmFXrWyZLIqPTT3k1qkNlHh8yHf6KBzjEyg-B_qsYub54amlxlXM4hfn0vz6t1rpI5KurEV6KmTCykPJ4y1DBWy4_Tq4QpP_JNCLlRpXthC8mruil6AD3sAMrvSwvv249uSFgC_iyITFZ_GcZm-Z6_LeCEZaw\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Review the information and confirm Reset.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your <strong>device may turn on and off once or twice<\/strong> before the reset is complete. Once it is, you\u2019ll see a window prompting you to set up the device. At that point, you can turn off the phone, remove the SIM card and any memory cards, and prepare it for recycling, disposal, or sale.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below, find <strong>general instructions on how to erase all content for most popular mobile OSs<\/strong>, including iPhone, Android, and Xiaomi.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<table>\n  <thead><tr><th colspan=\"2\" class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\" style=\"background-color: #134f5c; color: #ffffff; border: none; padding: 5px;\"><strong>How To Wipe Your Phone<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n  <tbody><tr>\n    <td>iPhone<\/td>\n   <td>Settings &gt; General &gt; Reset &gt; Erase All Content &gt; Settings &gt; Enter Passcode &gt; Press Continue<\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n   <td>Android<\/td>\n   <td>Settings &gt; Accounts &amp; Backup &gt; Reset &gt; Factory Data Reset &gt; Confirm<\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n  <tr>\n    <td>Xiaomi (MiUI)<\/td>  \n    <td>Settings &gt; About Phone &gt; Backup &amp; Reset &gt; Erase All Data &gt; Delete All Data &gt; Enter Passcode\/Pin &gt; Confirm<\/td>\n  <\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Protect Your Data from Third Parties<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cybercriminals and third parties are <strong>more inventive with how they find and exploit data<\/strong>. Buying used mobile devices from individuals who may not be tech-savvy enough to wipe their phones is just another way they get hold of valuable data.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can use a VPN to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=completely_wipe_phone\"><strong>encrypt your internet traffic<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>and mask your IP address, but you can\u2019t prevent thieves from accessing critical mobile data if you don\u2019t properly wipe your phone. Clearing your device isn\u2019t difficult, and it makes a huge difference when it comes to protecting your private mobile data.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=completely_wipe_phone\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\">Get Private Internet Access <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQ<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why should I wipe my phone before selling it?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your phone contains personal data cybercriminals want. <strong>Wiping your mobile phone before disposing of it protects your data<\/strong> the same way a VPN protects your digital identity \u2013 it eliminates the risk of your data falling into the wrong hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=completely_wipe_phone\"><strong>Get PIA to protect your new smartphone<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>and up to 9 other devices simultaneously, with a single subscription.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Does factory reset completely wipe my phone?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Factory resetting a phone essentially <strong>marks data to be rewritten, so it won\u2019t disappear entirely until new information replaces it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some OSs, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/download\/android-vpn-app\">Android<\/a> 6.0 and up, automatically encrypt your data, so even if it\u2019s recovered it\u2019s useless to a cybercriminal. On these systems a factory reset is fine, but you should still <strong>remove any memory or SIM card before disposing of your phone<\/strong>. You can still choose to wipe Android phones completely by removing any accounts before performing a factory reset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How do I wipe my phone before selling it?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instructions vary by mobile OS, but you can<strong> <a href=\"#how-to-wipe\">wipe Android, iOS, and Xiaomi phones<\/a> <\/strong>using our instructions. Remember, settings menus can vary from OS to OS, but should be fairly similar to those above.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Factory reset isn\u2019t enough! Learn how to completely wipe your phone before selling it. Remove all your personal information from iOS and Android.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":21721,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[845],"tags":[1180,1178,1179],"class_list":["post-9709","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-format-phone","tag-windows-phone","tag-wipe-your-phone"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Completely Wipe Your Phone Before Selling It<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Factory reset isn\u2019t enough! Learn how to completely wipe your phone before selling it. Remove all your personal information from iOS and Android.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-completely-wipe-your-phone-before-selling-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Completely Wipe Your Phone\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Factory reset isn\u2019t enough! Learn how to completely wipe your phone before selling it. 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