Before you pass on, sell, or throw away an old device, there is one crucial step: making sure your personal information is completely removed. Simply deleting your files is not enough. Here is how to do it properly, without needing any technical knowledge.
Why Just Deleting Files Is Not Enough
When you delete a file or empty the Recycle Bin, the file is not actually erased. The computer marks that space as available and the file stays there until something new writes over it. With free recovery software, someone could retrieve your documents, photos, and saved passwords from a “wiped” device. A proper factory reset solves this.
How to Wipe an Android Phone
- Back up anything you want to keep — photos, contacts, and messages — before you start.
- Go to Settings → System → Reset → Factory Reset (the exact path varies slightly between brands, but search “factory reset” in your settings if you cannot find it).
- On modern Android phones (Android 6 and later), the factory reset includes built-in encryption, which makes old data unrecoverable. You do not need to do anything extra.
How to Wipe an iPhone
- First, sign out of iCloud: go to Settings → your name → Sign Out at the bottom. This unlinks the phone from your Apple ID.
- Then go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
- iPhones encrypt all data, so after a reset the old data cannot be recovered.
How to Wipe a Windows Computer
- Click the Start menu and go to Settings → System → Recovery.
- Choose Reset this PC.
- When asked, choose “Remove everything” and then “Remove files and clean the drive.” The second option overwrites the drive, making recovery much harder. This takes longer but is worth doing if you are passing the computer to someone else.
How to Wipe a Mac
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and choose System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs).
- Go to General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings.
- This option is available on Macs with Apple Silicon chips (M1, M2, and later) and on Macs with a T2 security chip. For older Macs, the process is slightly different and involves restarting into Recovery Mode — search for your specific Mac model on Apple’s support site.
After the Reset
Remove any SIM cards or memory cards before handing over a phone. If you are recycling a device, look for manufacturer take-back programmes — many phone and computer brands offer free recycling, and some charities accept working devices in good condition.
Taking these steps means you can pass on an old device with complete confidence that your personal information goes with you, not with the device.