Why This Checklist Matters

Selling or recycling an old phone, tablet, or laptop feels simple — but skipping even one step can leave your personal information accessible to the next owner. Stored passwords, saved payment methods, synced photos, and active app sessions can all survive a basic factory reset if you haven't prepared the device properly.

This checklist walks you through every critical action, in the right order, so you can hand off your device with confidence. Whether you're trading in a smartphone, dropping a laptop at an e-waste facility, or gifting an old tablet to a family member, these steps apply.

Once you've cleared your device, it's also a good moment to run a broader review of your digital accounts. Our online safety audit checklist can help you spot weak spots you may have overlooked.

Back Up Your Data

Back up photos, videos, and documents to a cloud service or external drive before doing anything else. Must
Export or save any app-specific data that doesn't sync automatically, such as authenticator app codes, notes, or game progress. Must
Verify the backup completed successfully by checking that your files are accessible from another device or location. Must

Sign Out and Deauthorize Accounts

Sign out of your Apple ID, Google account, or Microsoft account directly on the device before resetting — this removes it from the device's activation lock. Must
Deauthorize the device from any media or software services that limit the number of authorized devices, such as digital music or ebook libraries. Must
Sign out of all third-party apps that store sensitive information, including banking, email, and social media apps. Should
Remove the device from your account's trusted device list in any two-factor authentication settings. Should

Prepare the Device for Wiping

Enable full-device encryption before performing a factory reset — on Android, this is in Security settings; on iPhones, encryption is on by default when a passcode is set. Should
Remove your SIM card and any microSD or memory cards from the device. Must
Unpair any connected accessories such as smartwatches, wireless earbuds, or Bluetooth keyboards. Should
Charge the device to at least 50% so it doesn't power off during the reset process. Should

Perform the Factory Reset

Run a factory reset (also called "erase all content and settings" on iOS or "reset to factory defaults" on Android and Windows) from the device's settings menu. Must
For Windows laptops, use the built-in "Reset this PC" option and select the "Remove everything" path, then choose the "Remove files and clean the drive" option for a more thorough wipe. Must
For older Android devices that don't encrypt by default, enable encryption before the reset and then reset again to maximize data removal. Nice to have

Confirm and Final Checks

After the reset completes, confirm the device shows the initial setup or "Hello" screen, which indicates the wipe was successful. Must
Check that your Apple ID or Google account no longer appears under the device in your account's device management page online. Must
If selling privately, photograph the device in its wiped state showing the setup screen as a basic record. Nice to have
Cancel or transfer any active device-specific warranties, insurance plans, or carrier installment plans tied to the device. Should

Tools You'll Need

You don't need special software for most of these steps — your device's built-in settings handle the heavy lifting. A few free utilities can help with specific situations, particularly for laptops.

Required

Your device's built-in Settings app

Handles sign-out, encryption, and factory reset — the primary tool for this entire checklist.

Required

Cloud backup service (iCloud, Google One, OneDrive, etc.)

Stores your photos, contacts, and app data before you wipe the device.

Optional

External hard drive or USB drive

Provides a local backup option for large files or when cloud storage is limited.

Required

Your account's device management page (Apple ID, Google, Microsoft)

Lets you verify the device has been removed from your account after the reset.

Optional

Authenticator app export or transfer tool

Migrates two-factor authentication codes to your new device before you wipe the old one.

After the Wipe: What Comes Next

Once your device is reset and you've confirmed the setup screen appears, you're ready to hand it off. If you're selling privately, take a photo of the device in its wiped state as a simple record. For recycling, look for certified e-waste programs — many electronics retailers and municipal waste facilities run certified drop-off events.

Activation Lock Must Be Disabled First

On iPhones and iPads, Apple's Activation Lock ties the device to your Apple ID. If you factory reset without first signing out of your Apple ID, the next owner will be unable to activate or use the device. Always sign out of your Apple ID under Settings before initiating a reset. The same principle applies to Android devices with Google's Factory Reset Protection — sign out of your Google account first.

Keep in mind that a factory reset removes your data from the device, but it also means the next owner starts fresh. If you're donating to a school or nonprofit, confirm with the recipient whether they need any specific software left installed — though in most cases, starting from a clean slate is preferred.

After clearing your device, you may also want to audit the broader trail of data you've left across the internet. Our digital footprint audit checklist is a practical next step for reducing your online exposure beyond the device itself.

Don't Rely on a Basic Delete Alone

Simply deleting files or apps before handing off a device does not make that data unrecoverable. Without a proper factory reset — ideally preceded by encryption — a determined person with recovery software could still retrieve personal files. Always complete a full factory reset as the final step, not just a manual cleanup.