What to do with old devices before you sell or recycle them

Before a phone, tablet or laptop leaves your hands, your data and accounts need to leave with it. The safe sequence is to save what you want to keep, sign out of the accounts and linked services tied to the device, turn off the features that lock or track it, and then erase its storage. Only after that should you decide whether to sell, donate or recycle it.

The steps take an hour or two for most devices, and the order matters. Once the device is erased, the earlier steps can no longer be done on it, so work through them in sequence rather than jumping straight to a reset.

Save what you want to keep

Start with a full backup. Copy the photos, documents, messages and app data you want to keep to a cloud service, an external drive or your new device. Open a few of the copied files to confirm they are complete, because after an erase there is no undo.

Some data does not transfer automatically. Note contacts that live only on the device, saved game progress and notes in apps that do not sync. Also check whether any two-factor sign-in codes are generated by an authenticator app on the device. If they are, move those accounts to a new method first, or you may lose access when the device goes.

Sign out of accounts and linked services

Sign out of the accounts tied to the device, including the app store account, cloud storage, messaging accounts, and streaming or music services. Many of these services limit how many devices can be authorized at once, and signing out on the device sometimes leaves it listed as active. Once you have signed out, remove the device from each service's list of devices in its account settings, including the trusted-device list on your important accounts, so the old device no longer counts as one of your own.

Then check the linked services. Remove the device from smart home apps, fitness trackers and any messaging app that runs on linked desktop sessions. Delete saved payment cards from the browser and from any wallet app on the device. For computers, deauthorize software or media apps that limit how many installations can be active.

Turn off device finding and locking features

Before erasing, turn off the feature that finds the device through your personal account. Phones and laptops usually offer a device-finding option that, when active, ties the device to the owner's account. Many devices require that account's password before they can be set up again after a reset. Turning the feature off first means the next owner will not be locked out.

Remove the SIM card and any memory card, and unpair accessories such as keyboards, watches, headphones and styluses. If your phone uses an eSIM, remove its profile in the settings before the reset, and contact your carrier if you no longer need that line. If you have forgotten the account password, do not sell the device until you can recover access, because a locked device is very hard to resell.

Erase the storage properly

Use the device's own factory reset option, which is the standard way to wipe a phone, tablet or laptop. Most phones and Macs encrypt their storage by default, so a full reset removes the key that makes the data readable, and that is generally adequate for everyday resale. A Windows laptop is less predictable, because drive encryption may never have been switched on. If you are unsure, check whether drive encryption is enabled in the device's security settings. If it is not, or you cannot tell, choose the reset option that also cleans or wipes the drive rather than the quick option.

Older devices may need a more thorough erase than a standard reset. Check the manufacturer's documentation for secure erase options. Deleting files by hand is not enough, because the data often remains recoverable until the space is overwritten. If the device will not start or does not offer a reset, contact the manufacturer's support or a qualified repair shop rather than trying a manual delete.

Keep the device plugged in during the reset so the process is not interrupted. When it finishes, the device should start up in its setup screens with no personal accounts attached. Stop there, and do not sign in again.

Sell, donate or recycle responsibly

Selling or donating works best for devices that still work and still receive security updates. Check the manufacturer's support period before you list it, so the next owner knows what to expect. If updates have ended, say so clearly in the listing rather than leaving the buyer to find out later.

Devices that no longer work or are not worth reselling should go to recycling. Use a retailer take-back program, a local electronic waste collection point or a recycler that handles electronics responsibly. Remove batteries where the device allows it and follow the drop-off guidance, since many local programs require batteries to be handled separately. Electronics should not go into household bins.

If the battery is swollen or the device is physically damaged, do not describe it as working or sell it as functional. Tell the recycler about its condition, and choose a drop-off point that accepts damaged lithium-ion batteries.

Keep a note of the date you erased and handed over each device, along with any receipt or drop-off confirmation. That record is useful if a buyer or recycler asks questions, and it helps you remember which accounts and services you have already cleared.