Safely Wipe and Recycle an Old Computer or Phone

Before you recycle, sell, or give away an old computer or phone, a plain reboot or factory reset alone isn’t enough prep. This guide covers backing up what you need, signing out of your accounts, and securely erasing Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices.

Before you erase anything

A factory reset isn’t reversible, so do these first.

Back up what you want to keep — Photos, documents, anything that only lives on that device.

Sign out of your accounts — Apple ID, Google, Microsoft, email, everything.

Remove the SIM or memory card — Those aren’t erased by a factory reset.

How to safely wipe an old computer or phone, step by step

Computers

1Erasing a Windows PC or Mac

Windows: Settings, System, Recovery, Reset this PC, Remove everything. Mac: System Settings, General, Transfer or Reset.

WHAT TO DOChoose the “fully clean the drive” option. It takes longer, but it’s what makes the data hard to recover.

Safely wipe an old computer: Erasing a Windows PC or Mac

Phones

2Erasing an iPhone or Android phone

iPhone: Settings, General, Transfer or Reset, Erase All Content and Settings. Android: remove your Google account first, then reset.

WHAT TO DOOn Android, removing the account before the reset keeps the next owner from getting locked out.

Erasing an iPhone or Android phone

Naples Computers

★We’ll wipe it and recycle it responsibly

Not comfortable doing it yourself? Bring it to us, we’ll securely erase it and recycle it the right way.

WHAT TO DOCall 239-513-1960, or just drop it off.

We'll wipe it and recycle it responsibly

A couple of computer notes

“Remove everything” beats “Keep my files” — Only “Remove everything” is appropriate before you give up a device
A full, secure erase takes a while — Plan for an hour or more, and keep it plugged in
BitLocker or FileVault key handy — You may be asked for it partway through on an encrypted drive

A couple of phone notes

Turn off Find My first — On an iPhone, Find My has to be off, or you’ll be asked for your Apple Account password
Check for “ghost” devices — After resetting an Android phone, check myaccount.google.com for old devices still listed
Unpair your watch or earbuds — Bluetooth accessories paired to that phone won’t reconnect to the next owner otherwise

Recap: wipe and recycle an old device

Back up what you want to keep first
Sign out of every account, and remove the SIM or memory card
Windows and Mac: Reset this PC / Erase All Content and Settings
Android: remove your Google account before resetting
Not comfortable doing it yourself? Call Naples Computers

Printable quick guide

Wipe It Before You Recycle It (1-page quick guide PDF)

Frequently asked questions

Is a regular factory reset enough before I recycle my computer?

Use the full secure-erase option rather than a quick reset: “Remove everything” with “Clean the drive fully” on Windows, or “Erase All Content and Settings” on a Mac. It takes longer, but makes your data much harder to recover.

What should I do before resetting an Android phone?

Back up anything you want to keep, then remove your Google account from the phone before running the factory reset. Resetting first can leave the next owner locked out of the device until it’s signed in with your original Google account.

What should I do before erasing an iPhone or iPad?

Sign out of your Apple Account and make sure Find My is turned off, then go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset, and choose Erase All Content and Settings. If Find My is still on, you’ll be asked for your Apple Account password.

Does a factory reset erase the SIM card or memory card?

No. Remove the SIM card and any memory card before you recycle, sell, or give away the device; a factory reset only erases the device’s internal storage.

On Windows and Mac, choose the full secure-erase option (“Clean the drive fully” on Windows, or “Erase All Content and Settings” on a Mac) rather than a quick reset, so your data isn’t easily recoverable by whoever gets the device next.