Do you have an electronic device you no longer need? Whether you decide to sell, donate, recycle or gift it, you want to make sure you remove your data. While organizations you donate to may guarantee that they wipe all data before passing the device to its new owner, if you do it yourself, you will be sure it is actually gone and an additional swipe does not hurt. Do not worry, it is easier than you think and we will show you how in this article.
Whether you are getting rid of your phone, an old laptop, a tablet, or a similar device, chances are it has a lot of sensitive data on it. Maybe your banking app, tax records, or private conversations that you do not want anyone else gaining access to after you get rid of your device. The best way to protect your data then is to swipe it yourself and it is easier than you would think.
Before you reset to factory settings or physically destroy your hard drive, you want to make sure to backup all the data you still need. It is likely that you already have an account to sync your data with the cloud through Google, OneDrive (Microsoft), Dropbox, or similar services. If not, it is easy to sign up. The advantage of cloud backups is that it is cheap and reliable, allowing you to access your data from various devices. If you have very sensitive data, a USB-Stick or external hard drive might be a better option. If you decide to go with an external storage device, remember to encrypt it and protect your data with a secure password and create an additional backup that is stored in a separate location. Make sure everything is fully synced before starting to wipe the device you no longer need.
Next, fully set up your new device. Whether you are replacing the old device with a new(er) one or just downsizing the overall number of devices in your household, you want to make sure you can access all your accounts and data from the alternative device before wiping the old one. It is common, for example, that syncing data with the cloud continues in the background, while it might look to you on the screen as if it has already been completed. Data saved to external drives can get corrupted in the process. We recommend using the new device for a week, to make sure you did not miss any data you still need on the old one before wiping it.
Once the data is backed up, and your new device is set up and running, it is time to reset your old device. Each manufacturer and model has their own way of doing it, so we recommend you google instructions for your device. You can usually find the model number printed somewhere on the device or check the computer settings.
If you have exceptionally sensitive data, you might want to get the hard drive out and shred it to make sure no one will be able to restore anything that was on it. If you have this type of data, we recommend you look for professional support, as you probably should not be syncing that type of data to any cloud either.
While it can feel scary to wipe a device of all its data, waiting and keeping it in a drawer “just in case” is not a better option. The battery can become faulty over time, releasing toxic gasses or even starting a fire. Your data does not necessarily remain accessible either: technological standards keep changing, such that compatibility can become an issue, requiring more complex steps to retrieve your data in the future. Furthermore, when older devices are no longer supported by the manufacturer, or no longer fulfill the minimum requirements for the latest update, connecting them to the internet can become a security risk.
To sum up, when you are ready to part ways with a device that you used for a while, it is likely has data that you want to remove from there and save somewhere else. Here is what you should do:
Backup your data: make sure you synced everything to cloud storage or an external drive.
Configure your new device: make sure everything you need is there and can be accessed.
Reset your old device: follow your phone manufacturer’s instructions on how to wipe your phone of your data.
Don’t wait: even an unused phone loses value by the day. Sell, donate or trade-it in as soon as you no longer use it.
Give your device a new life: whether you sell, donate or recycle, the device can still generate value after you’re done with it.
Savvee (for iOS and Android) wants you to get the most out of your things, and passing on old devices can help you achieve that. Do you have something to add? Let us know!
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