Before you sell, give away or recycle a phone

Your old phone holds your accounts, photos and messages. Five minutes of preparation keeps them private.

Electronic waste sorted for recycling

Steps, in order

  1. Back up and check the backup (see backing up), or finish moving to the new phone.
  2. Move authenticator codes and WhatsApp to the new phone.
  3. Sign out of your account: on iPhone, Settings → your name → Sign Out (this turns off Activation Lock). On Android, remove your Google account in Settings → Passwords and accounts.
  4. Unpair your smartwatch and Bluetooth devices.
  5. Remove the SIM and memory card.
  6. Factory reset: Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data (Android) or Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings (iPhone).

Modern phones encrypt their storage, so a factory reset makes the old data unreadable. There's no need for special wiping apps.

Getting the best price

  • Clean it, find the original box and charger, and take clear photos of the front, back and screen switched on.
  • Be honest about scratches and battery health; it avoids disputes.
  • Compare trade-in offers from operators and shops with private-sale prices.

Recycling

Phones contain valuable metals and harmful substances, so don't put them in household rubbish. Phone shops, makers and many electronics retailers take old phones back, often for free, and charities collect working phones for reuse. Swollen or damaged batteries must go to a battery collection point, never in a bin.