Before selling or giving away your old phone, don't skip these steps
Experts warn that deleting photos and a few apps is not enough before selling or handing off an old phone, since it can still hold significant personal data. A few simple precautions can help protect that information before the device goes to a new owner.
When people buy a new smartphone, the old one often ends up in a drawer, gets passed on to a family member, or is sold. However, before it reaches someone else's hands, simply deleting photos and a couple of apps is not enough to properly prepare the device for its next life.
More personal data than you might think
Modern smartphones accumulate a surprising amount of personal information: emails, contact lists, documents, message histories, data from various apps, and access to multiple online accounts. If the phone isn't properly prepared before being handed over, some of this information can remain on the device even when the previous owner is confident everything important has been erased.
Simple precautions to protect your data
Because of this, it's worth taking a few simple steps before selling or giving away an old phone. These steps don't take much time but can help safeguard personal data and get the device ready for its new owner.
Users planning to part with an old device are advised to make sure all accounts are properly disconnected and data is fully erased, rather than relying only on what's visible on the surface, such as photos or app icons on the screen.
