Contrary to popular opinion, a factory reset is not enough to completely wipe your Android phone or iPhone. It’s possible to recover the deleted data since your files aren’t removed. This means all your pictures, videos, emails, and text messages could end up in the wrong hands.
The good news is there’s a way to permanently delete all the data on your phone or tablet before selling it or giving it out. Here’s how to do it:
- If your device doesn’t automatically support data encryption, enable this in the settings.
- Make sure you’re logged out of all your accounts.
- Back up your data.
- Do a factory reset. If you’re an Android device, turn off the “automatic restore” option before resetting.
Continue reading the article below for more details about how to wipe an iPhone or Android phone.
Smartphones and tablets have transformed the way we interact with the world. These pocket-sized computers hold valuable data about us, including our financial details, search history, photos, private messages, emails, and so much more.
It’s important to completely wipe your Android phone or iPhone before selling or giving it away. Unfortunately, doing a factory reset doesn’t permanently erase your phone. The data can be recovered and might end up in the wrong hands.
If you’re thinking of getting a new device, read our guide below to learn how to completely erase the data on your old phone or tablet.
Why Resetting Your iPhone or Android Device is not Enough
In whodunnit mysteries, detectives often find crucial clues on pieces of paper by rubbing a pencil over them. That piece of paper is your iPhone or Android after you delete your files and do a factory reset.
Android and iOS devices use data indexing to keep track of stored files. Essentially, to create an index of your data, all files are marked with a “pointer.” Deleting a file removes that pointer, which means your system won’t be able to find the file anymore since it doesn’t “know” where it is.
However, deleted files remain on your Android or iOS device until other files overwrite them. In other words, the data can be restored with data recovery software. It’s relatively easy to do this.
Here’s how to permanently delete data from your cell phone before selling, recycling, or giving it away.
How to Completely Wipe an Android Phone or iPhone
Yes, you’ll need to do a factory reset to erase your Android phone or iPhone. But there are some crucial preparatory steps to ensure your data is scrubbed permanently.
- Ensure your device supports automatic encryption or has disk encryption enabled.
- Sign out of all your accounts (especially Google and social media).
- Back up your data
- Perform a factory reset.
We provide further details on each of these steps below.
Step 1: Enable device encryption before doing a factory reset
Encryption eliminates the possibility of someone accessing the deleted data on your device. The data will be there, but those with the expertise to retrieve it will only find encrypted data — a scrambled, unreadable mess.
If you’re using an iPhone, you’re in luck. All Apple devices running iOS 8.0 or later are automatically encrypted. Skip to step 2 if you’ve got an up-to-date Apple device.
Since the Android operating system differs across mobile devices, you’ll need to make sure the data on your device is encrypted. All devices running on Android version 10 or higher are required to offer automatic disk encryption. You can check your Android version if you’re not sure.
If you’re using an older Android device, check if your phone is encrypted. You can do this by checking your device Settings and security options.
This can be under different tabs depending on your Android device. It may also be labeled Lock screen and security.
Once you find the security menu on your device, look for the Encrypt device option. Again, depending on whether you’re using a Samsung phone or a device from another brand, this may be labeled Encrypt, Encryption, or something similar.
You’ll receive a warning that encrypting all your data will take a few hours. You may be unable to use your phone while this happens. It’s advisable to have your device plugged in while the encryption process is ongoing. Once encrypted, the information on your device is secured.
Step 2: Sign out of all accounts
Resetting your device may sign you out of most accounts and delete certain apps, but it won’t delete or sign you out of some apps, like Instagram and Google.
It’s important to sign out of all your accounts before wiping data from your iPhone or Android. This step is often overlooked, but it’s important to prevent unauthorized parties from accessing your accounts.
iOS Devices
If you have an iOS device, sign out (at the very least) of the App Store, iMessage, and iCloud. Follow these steps:
- Before signing out, unpair all connected devices, such as your Apple Watch, AirPods, or AirTags.
- From Settings, find Messages and turn off the iMessage option. We recommend doing the same with FaceTime.
- Find the iTunes & App Store setting, click on your Apple ID email, and click Sign Out.
- Finally, in Settings, tap iCloud at the bottom of the screen and find Sign Out, or find your name and then tap Sign Out. Your device is now ready to be wiped.
After you’ve signed out of your Apple accounts, sign out of your Google account, social media accounts (like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat), as well as your email accounts and banking apps.
Android Devices
Before signing out of your accounts on an Android device, deactivate your screen lock. In your device’s Settings, find the lock screen option. This can be under different labels depending on your device, but it is generally labeled Lock Screen Security, Lock Screen, Lock screen and security, Passwords & security, or something similar.
Depending on your device, there might be an option that says Screen lock, and you’ll need to click on it to turn it off. Alternatively, you may need to choose None to deactivate your lock screen.
Next, log out of your Google account. On Xiaomi’s MIUI and some Android devices, you’ll have to go to Accounts & sync. Alternatively, it may be Users and Accounts or Accounts.
Once you tap on Accounts & sync, it will bring up the different accounts you have logged into on the device. We recommend logging out of each of them individually.
Find Google and click on each Gmail account you have logged into on this device to remove it. Click on More in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and select Remove account to log out.
If you don’t want to erase your SIM and memory cards, remove them before proceeding with the next step.
Step 3: Back up your data
Before you erase all the content and settings on your iPhone or Android device, it’s a good idea to back up your data. You can use the default storage options (iCloud for Apple and Google Drive for Android). Alternatively, check out our article on the best cloud storage providers for other platforms to back up your data.
Expert advice
If you reset your old device without creating a backup of some sort, you’ll lose all the data on your device. In other words, skipping the backup step will have you starting from scratch on a new phone.
Usually, you’ll get a prompt to back up your data before you reset it. However, if you don’t wish to take this route, there are some options at your disposal:
- Cloud storage: Services like NordLocker and Sync.com can save your data independently of Apple and Google. You can even use Dropbox or one of the many Dropbox alternatives.
- Manual backup: You can transfer files like photos and clips to another device (your computer, for example). From there, it’s easy to transfer them to your new mobile device.
- Third-party apps: Since Google doesn’t back up your call logs, you can use apps like My Backup Pro to save and transfer them. These tools can also back up your calendar events, system settings, browser bookmarks, and more.
Step 4: Reset your iPhone or Android phone
Once you ensure your device is encrypted and sign out of your accounts, you are ready to perform a factory reset. Resetting your phone reverts the device to the factory settings. It will delete your account settings and other data, like your Samsung account password if you’re using a Samsung device.
Some phones come with factory reset protection. This feature is designed to prevent unauthorized parties from resetting your phone without your permission.
Generally, when you choose to reset your phone, you may be required to provide your PIN to authorize it, and this disables factory reset protection. In some cases, you may need to disable factory reset protection manually before you can reset your device.
Note: Factory reset isn’t just useful when you want to wipe your phone; it can be a solution when your phone is infected with mobile spyware or other malware. In some rare cases, malware can “survive” a factory reset, so we recommend using a good antivirus program. If you wish to add an extra layer of privacy to your setup, you can get an antivirus with VPN.
Check out our guide to staying safe online for more information about how to keep data secure on Android phones and iPhones.
iOS
Here’s how to erase an iPhone for trade-in or sale. On your iOS device, go to the Settings menu, click General, select Reset, and go to Erase All Content and Settings.
This will erase all content and settings on your iPhone, so ensure you have a backup of your data to iCloud before clicking Erase Now. If you choose the latter, your data will be scrubbed.
Android
We recommend backing up your Android data before hitting the reset button. To wipe your Android phone completely, go to the Settings menu on your Android device and select Backup and reset to get to the reset screen, where you’ll find the option to reset your device.
Select Factory data reset to reset your device. Android will bring up a list of accounts you’re still signed into on your device — if any. Choose Reset Device at the bottom of the screen to confirm your decision to reset. This is also how to wipe an Android tablet.
Make sure to turn off Automatic restore. This option brings back your stored settings and data when you reset your device or when you reinstall non-standard applications. Click the slider to turn it off.
How to Transfer Data From an Old iPhone or Android Phone
There are a few ways to transfer data from an old device to a new one, whether you’re using an iPhone or Android device. Here’s how to go about this.
Android
You’ll need your old and new Android phone for this, so make sure you have it handy. It’s important to perform this step before the reset. Here’s how to transfer your files and information from an old Android phone to a new one:
- Tap Start on your new device (if Start doesn’t appear, you’ll have to copy the files manually).
- Connect to your Wi-Fi when asked.
- Choose the option to copy apps and data.
- Connect the devices via cable and follow the instructions.
- If you don’t have a cable, tap “No Cable? -> Ok” and follow the instructions.
You can also restore your data from a backup. Here’s how to do it:
- Once you get to the Copy apps & data screen on your new phone, tap Next.
- Select the “Can’t use old device?” option.
- Tap Ok.
iPhone
There are three main ways to transfer data to a new Apple mobile device. While there are some tools you can use, they can be somewhat complicated. If you want to keep things simple, here are the options available to you:
Using iCloud backup
After backing up your old phone to iCloud, do the following:
- Insert your SIM card into your new phone and turn it on.
- Follow the instructions until they lead you to the Apps & Data screen.
- Tap “Restore from iCloud backup.”
- Use your Apple ID and password to access your iCloud account.
- Tap Next->Agree->Next.
- Pick the most recent backup and let the process finish.
Using iTunes
For this, you’ll need a computer. Here’s how to go about it:
- Insert your SIM card into your new phone and turn it on.
- Connect the new device to your computer.
- Follow the instructions until you get to the Apps & Data screen.
- Click “Restore from Mac or PC.”
- Click “Restore backup.”
- Pick the most recent backup and let the process finish.
Using Quick Start
This only works on iOS 11+ and you’ll need your old phone. Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices. Here’s how Quick Start works:
- Position the phones close to each other.
- Tap “Set up New iPhone” when the prompt appears.
- Tap Continue.
- Use Viewfinder on your old phone to capture the animation on the new one (the blue particle ball).
- Tap Finish once it appears.
- Enter your old passcode on the new phone and follow the instructions.
- Begin the data migration by tapping “Transfer from iPhone.”
Conclusion
Our phones and tablets hold some of our most private data. Wiping data from your iPhone or Android device before selling or giving it away can save you a lot of headaches. The consequences of your data falling into the wrong hands include identity theft, sextortion, doxing, and social engineering attacks, to name a few.
Interested in learning more about smartphones and security? Check out the articles below.
- Top 5 Best and Most Secure Smartphones for Privacy in 2023
- Smartphone Privacy: Understand The Risks And Protect Yourself
- A Full Guide to Optimizing Android Privacy and Security Settings
- DeleteMe Review: A Reliable Tool for Deleting Your Data Online
- The Best Ways to Protect Your Privacy with the iOS 15 Update
- Mobile Spyware: How to Tell If Your Phone Is Being Monitored
Do you have a specific question about erasing the data on your phone or tablet? Check out the FAQs below. If your question isn’t there, leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you.
The way to do a factory reset on your phone may differ depending on whether you’re using an iOS or Android device, and the exact model.
- On iOS devices, go to General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
- On Android devices, go to System settings > Reset settings > Erase all data (factory reset) > Reset Phone/Reset Tablet. Confirm by selecting Erase Everything.
Just doing a factory reset won’t completely wipe your iPhone. The data can easily be recovered. It’s important to ensure your data is encrypted (if your phone is of an older model) and log out of all your accounts. Read our article on how to completely wipe your Android or iPhone for more details.
Here’s how to wipe your Android phone completely;
- Make sure your the data on your phone is encrypted. You may need to do this manually if your phone is not new enough to support automatic data encryption.
- Log out of all your accounts (Google account, Facebook, etc.) and backup your data.
- Now perform a factory reset to remove your apps, settings, and data.
