If you're planning to sell, give away, or recycle an old Android phone, you will likely need to completely "wipe" it of all personal data it might hold.
To do that, you'll want to perform a factory reset. It's a fairly straightforward process, but if you plan to give the phone to someone after it's wiped, there are a few extra steps involved. Here is what you need to do.
How to wipe an Android device
The specific location within the Settings app might vary depending upon which version of the Android operating system you are using. For most phones:
1. Start the Settings app and then tap "System."
2. Tap "Reset," then tap "Reset phone" and confirm you want to do this.
- On some phones, you might need to tap "Advanced" to get to reset options.
- On a Samsung phone, the steps are slightly different: Start Settings and then tap "General Management," which is where you'll find "Reset."
3. The phone will reset, and you will have a factory-fresh phone.
How to disable Factory Reset Protection on an Android
If you plan to give or sell the phone to someone else, you should start by removing Google's Factory Reset Protection, which prevents a thief from wiping your phone and then using it as if it were theirs. Even after a wipe, your phone will require you to log in with your Google account before proceeding unless you disable Factory Reset Protection first. If you're planning to recycle or destroy the phone, you can skip this step.
1. Disable your phone's lock screen, which you can learn to do using our article on turning off your Android's password and security systems.
2. Start the "Settings" app and then tap "Accounts and backup."
3. Tap "Accounts."
4. Tap your Google account and then tap "Remove account." Confirm you want to do this.
Related coverage from Tech Reference:
-
How to set a Spotify song as an alarm on Android and wake up to your favorite music
-
How to use Android's 'Messages for web' feature to send and receive texts from a web browser on any device
-
Where is my Android? How to locate your Android using Google's Find My Device service
-
Why does my Android get hot? 6 fixes for phone overheating — and how to prevent it
-
How to forget a Wi-Fi network on your Android device and stop automatically connecting to certain networks
Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.
