So your trusty smartphone has seen better days and you’ve realized it’s time to buy a new one. Maybe he’s dead, or maybe he’s beyond repair. Either way, you want to make sure all your personal data is securely erased from your iPhone or Android device before you say goodbye. We’ll walk you through the steps to safely clean your smartphone, ensuring your sensitive information stays protected, even if it’s not working. Let’s dive in and give your old device a proper send off.
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4 steps to follow for a non-working phone
1. Wipe phone remotely
To wipe your phone data remotely, you will first need to set up either the iPhone find my the app or the Samsung app Find my mobile. It works on all running Galaxy phones and tablets Android 8 or later. If you’ve set up Find My or Find My Mobile, you should be able to log in to the site to remotely lock and wipe your device.
To erase your iPhone, use Find My
- Go to icloud.com/find and sign in with your Apple ID
- Click on All Devices and select the device you want to erase
- Click on erase iphone to erase all data from your iPhone
A confirmation email will be sent to your Apple ID email address.
To erase your iPhone, using Find My, go to icloud.com/find and sign in with your Apple ID. ( )
To erase data from your Samsung using SmartThingsFind
- Go to the Find the SmartThings website
- Select your device on the left side of the screen and tap it
- Select Erase data on the right side of the screen
By doing this, you will erase the data from the device and no one will be able to access your personal information.
You will erase the data from the device and no one will be able to access your personal information. ( )
Sign in and select your device, then follow the steps to either erase iphone Or Erase data on Android.
WHAT’S NEW WITH YOUR NEW PHONE?
To erase your Android data using Find My Device
If you lose an Android phone, you can wipe it remotely using Find my device. If you have added a Google account to your device, Find my device is automatically activated.
How to Wipe an Android Device Remotely
- On a browser, go to android.com/find
- Login to your google account
If you have multiple devices: At the top of the sidebar, select the device.
If your device has multiple user profiles: Sign in with a Google account listed on the main or personal profile
- If you have multiple devices: At the top of the sidebar, select the device.
- If your device has multiple user profiles: Sign in with a Google account listed on the main or personal profile
- On the left, select DELETE DEVICE. It will then ask you to confirm that it is indeed you by using your password.
- It will then ask you to confirm your decision again. Faucet ERASE DEVICE. Note: This operation permanently deletes all data on your device, but may not delete SD cards. After erasing it, Find My Device will no longer work on the device.
Faucet ERASE DEVICE. Note: This operation permanently deletes all data on your device, but may not delete SD cards. After erasing it, Find My Device will no longer work on the device. ( )
2. Remove the SIM card
If your phone still has a physical SIM card, remove it from the phone before disposing of it in any way. ( )
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If your phone still has a physical SIM card, remove it from the phone before disposing of it in any way. While there may still be data you saved directly on the phone, the SIM card will at least prevent anyone from using your phone number if they are, for some reason, able to get it working again. the phone. If you’re using an eSIM, contact your mobile carrier to have it deactivated on your device.
3. Contact your telephone company
Notify your phone carrier and let them know that your phone is no longer in use, and they should be able to verify that your phone number and account are no longer associated with this device. ( )
Notify your phone carrier and let them know that your phone is no longer in use, and they should be able to verify that your phone number and account are no longer associated with this device. Although they are not able to directly delete information from the phone, they can help you dispose of the phone properly.
4. Plug it into a computer
Sometimes a phone can appear to be completely dead when in fact there is just a problem with the screen. (Kurt Knutson)
Sometimes a phone can appear to be completely dead when in fact there is just a problem with the screen. You would have no idea about this since you can’t turn your phone on, so as a last resort, it doesn’t hurt to try plugging it into a computer to see if you’re able to recover any data.
If you have an iPhone, try opening iTunes or the Photos app to see if your phone appears as an external device. If so, and you can access any content on your phone, back up your data through your computer.
For more information on how to do this, go to Cyberguy.com/MobileBackup
HOW TO RECYCLE YOUR OLD ELECTRONICS INTO AMAZON GIFT CARDS
5. Dispose of your phone properly
It is important to properly dispose of electronic devices, such as iPhones and Androids, as they may contain hazardous materials that can harm the environment. Batteries should not be disposed of with ordinary household waste.
You can take any smartphone to most electronics stores, like Best Buy, and have it recycled for free. You can also recycle devices online through sites like Apple (yes, they accept devices other than iPhones), Google, or even Amazon, which has an amazing free recycling program. Amazon also offers trade-ins for assistive devices that can be redeemed for Amazon gift cards. There are other sites like Decluttr that allow you to sell old devices.
You can also check your local e-waste recycling programs to see where you can recycle devices locally. The Environmental Protection Agency has a list of listed donation and recycling programs.
Looking for a new phone or a discounted phone plan, check out my recommendations on Cyberguy.com/BestPhonePackages
Kurt’s main takeaways
When it’s time to say goodbye to your old smartphone, you need to make sure your personal data is safe. Follow these steps and you’ll keep your information protected, even if your phone is broken or not working. First, use the right app to wipe your phone remotely. Then take out that SIM card to protect your number. Do not forget to also inform your telephone operator. And hey, let’s not forget the environment. Dispose of your phone responsibly by recycling it or donating it through Apple, Google, or other organizations. With these tips, you can say goodbye to your old cell phone without any worries.
Have you ever encountered difficulties when disposing of your old electronic devices? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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