A used phone still holds a surprising amount of personal data: saved passwords, payment methods, photos, email, and location history. When you hand a device to a new owner without clearing it properly, that data goes with it. This checklist walks through every step in the right order, because sequence matters. Backing up after a factory reset, for example, leaves you with nothing to restore.
On iPhones, leaving the Apple ID signed in before a reset locks the next owner out of the device entirely through Activation Lock. On Android, a Google account left on the device triggers Factory Reset Protection, which demands the original account credentials after the reset. Neither issue is resolved by the factory reset alone; you must sign out first, then reset.
The full preparation checklist
Work through these groups in order. Skipping the backup step or forgetting to sign out of your Apple ID or Google account are the two mistakes that cause the most problems for both you and the next owner.
Back up your data
Back up photos and videos to a cloud service or a computer before touching any other setting.Must
Sync or export contacts, since some are stored only on the device and will not transfer automatically.Must
Note any app data that does not sync to the cloud, such as offline game progress or locally stored notes.Should
Use an encrypted backup if your phone supports it, because encryption protects saved passwords and health records that a standard backup skips.Should
Sign out of accounts
Sign out of your Apple ID (iPhone: Settings, then your name, then Sign Out) or your Google account (Android: Settings, then Accounts) before resetting.Must
Sign out of any payment apps, such as mobile wallets or banking apps, individually before the factory reset.Must
Deauthorize the device in any media or subscription apps that limit the number of authorized devices.Should
Remove the phone from your two-factor authentication (2FA) app list if you use one, after you have confirmed 2FA is set up on your new device.Should
Remove physical items
Eject your SIM card using the tray tool or a straightened paperclip and store it somewhere safe.Must
Remove any microSD or memory card from its slot before handing over the device.Must
Run the factory reset
Perform a factory reset through the phone's settings (usually under General or System, then Reset or Erase All Content).Must
On Android devices, enable encryption before resetting if the option is available, which makes any residual data harder to recover.Should
Finish deregistering the device
Log in to your Apple ID or Google account online and remove the device from your trusted devices list, even after the on-device reset is complete.Must
Check your carrier account to deregister the phone's IMEI if required, particularly for devices enrolled in a carrier installment plan.Should
Once the phone is wiped and deregistered, decide how it leaves your hands. If you are donating it rather than selling or trading it in, routing discarded items responsibly covers donation, recycling, and disposal options. For your own records, the online safety hub has guidance on monitoring for any accounts that may have been exposed on old devices.
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