Don't Sell Your Phone Until You Have Done This
The biggest worry people have when selling a phone is: *"Will my photos, messages, and bank apps be safe?"* Done correctly, wiping your phone makes your data completely unrecoverable. Here is the exact checklist for both iPhone and Android.
Before You Wipe: Back Up First
You don't want to lose your photos and chats. Back up before erasing.
iPhone: Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now (or back up to a PC).
Android: Settings → Google → Backup → Back up now. Photos sync to Google Photos; WhatsApp has its own backup in Settings → Chats → Chat backup.
Wiping an iPhone (Step by Step)
1. Sign out of iCloud — Settings → your name → Sign Out. *(This removes Activation Lock — critical. A phone still linked to your Apple ID cannot be used by the buyer and cannot be sold.)*
2. Remove your SIM card.
3. Factory reset — Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
4. Confirm the phone restarts to the "Hello" setup screen.
Wiping an Android Phone (Step by Step)
1. Remove your Google account — Settings → Accounts → your Google account → Remove account. *(This removes Factory Reset Protection / FRP — without it the buyer is locked out.)*
2. Remove any Mi / Samsung / brand account as well.
3. Remove the SIM and microSD card.
4. Factory reset — Settings → System → Reset → Erase all data (factory reset).
5. Confirm it boots to the initial setup screen.
Is the Data Really Gone?
Yes. Modern iPhones and Android phones use hardware encryption — a factory reset destroys the encryption key, which makes your old data mathematically unrecoverable. You do not need special wiping apps.
Final Checklist Before Handover
- Backed up photos, contacts, WhatsApp
- Signed out of iCloud / removed Google account
- Removed SIM and memory card
- Factory reset completed (phone on setup screen)
- Kept the original box and bill (adds to your price)
Sell With Confidence
Once your phone is wiped, you are ready to sell safely. WorthyTen gives you an instant online price, free doorstep pickup, and same-day payment — and our agents verify the device with you at pickup, so the whole process is transparent.
Ready? Get your phone's price now or read our full guide to selling your phone online.
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