Selling your old phone? A factory reset is essential, but don't make the mistake of simply tapping "Reset" and handing the phone to the buyer.

Your phone may contain photos, messages, saved passwords, authentication information, banking apps, contacts and other personal data.

The safest approach is to complete a full pre-sale checklist before handing the device over.

Apple and Google both recommend backing up your information, removing accounts and then erasing the device before selling, trading in or giving it away.

Before You Erase Anything: Back Up Your Data

Once you factory-reset the phone, the data stored locally on it is erased.

So don't reset first and think about your backup later.

Check that you have transferred the information you actually need:

• Photos and videos

• Contacts

• Messages

• WhatsApp chats

• Documents

• Notes

• Calendar information

• Passwords/passkeys

• Authenticator information

• Important downloads

• Banking information you may need for reference

• Files stored on the phone

Open your cloud backup service and verify that important information has actually synced.

For Android, Google recommends confirming that your data is backed up before performing a factory reset.

For iPhone, Apple recommends backing up and transferring your information before erasing the old device.

Don't forget WhatsApp

If you use WhatsApp, create and verify your latest backup before wiping the phone.

Also make sure you know the phone number and account credentials needed to restore your chats on the new device.

Step 1: Move Your Important Accounts to the New Phone

Before wiping your old phone, make sure you can access your important accounts from another device.

Test:

• Google account

• Apple Account

• Primary email

• WhatsApp

• Banking apps

• Social media

• Password manager

• Authentication app

• Cloud storage

This is particularly important if your old phone is being used for two-factor authentication.

If your authentication codes are generated by an authenticator app, transfer the accounts to the new device before wiping the old one.

Step 2: Remove Your SIM Card

If your phone uses a physical SIM, remove it before handing the phone to the buyer.

Don't assume the factory reset will remove the SIM.

Your SIM may be connected to:

• Calls

• SMS

• Banking alerts

• WhatsApp

• Mobile money

• Two-factor authentication

Move the SIM to your new phone or follow your network provider's process for transferring the number.

Step 3: Deal With Your eSIM

If the phone uses an eSIM, don't simply hand over the device with your active mobile plan still attached.

During the erase process, follow the device's option for removing the eSIM when appropriate.

Apple specifically instructs sellers of eSIM-equipped iPhones to choose the option to erase the device and the eSIM profile when prompted.

Your network operator may have additional requirements for transferring the line.

Step 4: Remove Your Google Account From Android

On Android, remove the Google accounts from the device before the final reset.

Google's current instructions for an old Android device are:

Settings → Passwords & accounts → select each Google account → Remove account

The exact menu names can vary by manufacturer and Android version.

Removing the account helps prevent your personal account information from remaining associated with the device.

Step 5: Sign Out of Your Apple Account on iPhone

If you're selling an iPhone, sign out of your Apple Account before completing the erase.

On current iOS versions, Apple provides the sign-out process through:

Settings → [your name] → Sign Out

Apple's current instructions then guide you through the appropriate erase/sign-out options.

This is important because Activation Lock can prevent a new owner from properly activating the phone.

When you erase an iPhone correctly, Apple says Find My and Activation Lock are turned off.

Step 6: Check Your Banking and Payment Apps

You don't necessarily need to manually delete every banking app before a factory reset.

The factory reset will remove the apps and their local data.

However, before wiping the phone, make sure you can access your banking and financial accounts from your replacement device.

Also check services such as:

• Google Wallet

• Apple Wallet

• Mobile banking apps

• Fintech apps

• Investment apps

• Cryptocurrency wallets

For Apple devices, erasing the iPhone also removes cards and passes stored in Apple Pay.

Never give the buyer your banking PIN, passwords, OTPs or authentication codes.

Step 7: Remove Your Memory Card

If your Android phone has a microSD card, remove it before selling the device.

A factory reset does not mean you should automatically assume every removable storage card has been securely erased.

If you are keeping the card, simply remove it.

If you are selling the card with the phone, erase it separately using the appropriate device or computer tools.

Step 8: Check Your Connected Devices

Before wiping the phone, check whether it is paired with:

• Smartwatches

• Bluetooth accessories

• Cars

• Earbuds

• Computers

• Tablets

Unpair devices that you are keeping.

For example, Apple recommends unpairing an Apple Watch from an iPhone before selling it.

Step 9: Factory Reset the Phone

Now you're ready for the most important step.

Android

On many Android phones, the process is similar to:

Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data (factory reset)

The exact wording and location can differ between Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, Tecno, Infinix and other manufacturers.

Google confirms that a factory reset erases the data on the phone and recommends checking the manufacturer's instructions for device-specific steps.

iPhone

Go to:

Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings

Follow the instructions on screen and confirm the erase.

Apple specifically says to use Erase All Content and Settings when selling or giving away an iPhone, rather than merely resetting the settings.

Step 10: Don't Just Delete Your Photos Manually

This is important.

If you're using iCloud or another cloud service, manually deleting synced photos before selling the phone can delete them from your cloud account and other connected devices.

Apple specifically warns that manually deleting items while signed into iCloud can remove them from iCloud and connected devices.

The safer approach is:

Back up/transfer your data → sign out appropriately → use the device's official erase function.

Step 11: Wait for the Reset to Finish

Don't interrupt the phone while it's erasing.

Keep it charged and allow the process to complete.

Android notes that a factory reset can take some time and recommends having the device charged and connected to a network as needed.

Step 12: Verify That the Phone Is Actually Ready for the New Owner

This is the step many people skip.

After the reset, turn the phone on.

For an iPhone

You should reach the initial Hello setup screen rather than your old Home Screen.

Apple says seeing the Hello screen indicates that the iPhone has been erased.

If the phone still asks for your Apple Account or displays an Activation Lock message, stop.

The device is not ready for the buyer yet.

For Android

The phone should start the initial setup process rather than showing your old apps, photos or account information.

If it asks for your previous Google account after a reset, don't simply hand it over and assume everything is fine. Complete the appropriate account-removal/reset process according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 13: Remove the Old Phone From Your Account

After the device has been erased, review your account's list of trusted or connected devices.

Remove the old phone if it is still listed and you no longer own it.

Apple specifically recommends removing an old device from the list of trusted devices.

Google also provides tools for managing devices and account access.

Step 14: Check the Phone One Last Time

Before handing it over, make sure:

☐ Your photos are gone
☐ Your messages are gone
☐ Your contacts are gone
☐ Your apps are gone
☐ Your accounts are no longer signed in
☐ Your SIM is removed
☐ Your memory card is removed
☐ Your eSIM has been handled correctly
☐ Your Apple/Google account is no longer attached
☐ The phone starts at the initial setup screen
☐ No Activation Lock or previous-owner account is showing

Only after these checks should you hand the phone over.

Android vs iPhone: Quick Checklist

What About Data Recovery After a Factory Reset?

Modern smartphones are designed with encryption and secure storage features, and their official factory-reset processes are intended to remove user data from the device.

That means you generally should not need to manually fill the phone with fake photos or use repeated wipe software before selling a modern smartphone.

The more important mistake to avoid is failing to use the official erase process or leaving your account attached to the device.

Google explicitly recommends factory-resetting an Android device before donating, recycling or trading it in, while Apple instructs users to use Erase All Content and Settings before selling an iPhone.

If You've Already Sold the Phone Without Erasing It

Act quickly.

If the phone is still linked to your account:

1. Secure your account.
Change your password if you believe the device may still provide access.

2. Sign the device out remotely where the service allows it.

3. Remove the device from your trusted/connected-device list.

4. If sensitive information may have been exposed, review your email, banking and other important accounts.

5. Contact the buyer and ask them not to access your information.

If you have lost the device rather than sold it, use the relevant remote-device security tools to lock or erase it where available.

The 10-Point Pre-Sale Checklist

Before you sell your phone, remember:

1. BACK UP — Save everything you need.

2. TRANSFER — Move your data and authentication methods to your new device.

3. CHECK WHATSAPP — Confirm your latest backup.

4. REMOVE ACCOUNTS — Sign out of Google/Apple and other important accounts as appropriate.

5. REMOVE SIM — Take out your physical SIM.

6. HANDLE eSIM — Transfer or erase the eSIM appropriately.

7. REMOVE SD CARD — Take out removable storage you are keeping.

8. FACTORY RESET — Use the phone's official erase function.

9. VERIFY — Make sure it starts at the initial setup screen and doesn't show your account.

10. REMOVE DEVICE ACCESS — Remove the old phone from your trusted/connected-device lists.

Final Rule

Don't sell the phone until you can turn it on and see the same setup screen a brand-new owner would see.

Your photos, messages, apps and accounts should be gone, and the phone should no longer be tied to your personal account.

That's the safest way to prepare a phone for its next owner.