In the fast-paced world of technology, upgrading to the latest and greatest smartphone is a common occurrence. Whether you’re making the switch to a newer model or simply parting ways with your current device, it’s crucial to ensure that your personal data remains secure. Selling or giving away your Android phone without wiping it clean can expose your sensitive information to potential risks. Fortunately, the process of securely erasing your data is straightforward if you follow the right steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the necessary precautions to take before parting with your Android device.
What to do before trading your Android phone
Whether or not you’re going to perform a factory reset, or return your phone to factory settings, here are some things you should do before trading in your Android phone.
- Delete saved passwords from your browsers and apps. Unsync them from associated accounts.
- Remove your SIM card and any external storage.
- Log out of your Google account. Go to “Settings” > “Users and Accounts” and select your accounts.
- Click “Remove.” If you have a Samsung device, remove the accounts from your phone and tablet too.
- Remove any payment cards associated with your Android phone. Go to the Google Play Store app. Tap “Menu” > “Payment methods” > “More payment settings.”
- Sign in to pay.google.com if needed. Choose the payment method you want to remove and tap “Remove.”
- Deactivate factory reset protection (FRP). If your Android phone comes with the operating system 5.0 Lollipop or later, your phone will have Android device protection or FRP. You will need to deactivate it — otherwise, the new owner won’t be able to use your phone.
If your phone comes with an older operating system, you can skip to the next step. If you are unsure which version your phone is running, you can find that out by going to “Settings” > “About device/phone” > “Software info.”
- To deactivate the FRP:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Select “Accounts.”
- Tap on your account.
- Choose “Remove Account.”
- Sign out of Android Beta if you have Pixel or Nexus phones.
- Encrypt your data. A simple factory reset won’t ensure that everything is wiped out from your phone, so all your files can be easily recovered. Encrypted data means that even if the new owner of your device tries to restore all your data, they won’t be able to access it.
- Go to “Settings, Security & location.”
- Tap “Encryption & credentials.”
- Tap “Encrypt phone.”
- Upload dummy data. For an extra layer of security, before you wipe your Android phone, you can upload junk data onto your phone before performing a factory reset. To make use of junk data, just upload a few video files or any other data to fill your internal phone storage. This method will make restoring the sensitive data you’ve already encrypted virtually impossible to decrypt.
How to backup your Android device
Before you perform a factory reset and wipe your Android phone, it’s important to back up your files.
How to back up your files on Android
- Go to “Settings.”
- Click “Google” > “Backup.”
- 3. Click “Back up now.”
Android 8.1 or later automatically backs up your text messages (but not your call log). If you want a more secure way to save your text messages and your call log, you can use third-party tools to do so.
How to sync Google apps
You should also sync your apps with your Google account. Normally, Google apps will sync with your account automatically, but if this doesn’t happen, you can sync them manually:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Tap “About phone” > “Account sync.”
- Tap “More” > “Sync now.”
Please note that to sync other apps, you will have to check individual app settings and sync them manually.
How to back up your Google Photos
- Open the “Google Photos” app.
- Sign in.
- Click your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Tap “Settings” > “Backup.”
- Toggle “Backup” on.
Keep in mind, however, that Google Photos is not the best choice in terms of privacy. If you are looking for something more private, check out our list of more private photo apps.
The same goes for Google Drive. While it can be a useful backup tool, there are many privacy-focused Google Drive alternatives.
How to wipe your Android
The steps for carrying out a factory reset vary slightly depending on the device manufacturer. The steps below should act as a guide for many phones, but will not match perfectly onto every Android device.
- Go to “Settings” > “System.”
- Tap “Reset Options.”
- Choose “Erase all data (factory reset).”
- Tap the “Reset phone.”
- Tap “Erase everything.” Your phone will be returned to the same state as when you purchased it.
Conclusion
In the age of information, protecting your personal data is of utmost importance. Before parting ways with your Android phone, taking the time to securely wipe your device ensures that your sensitive information remains in safe hands. By following these steps, you can confidently sell or give away your Android phone, knowing that you’ve taken the necessary precautions to safeguard your digital identity.