How to Factory Reset Your Phone Before Selling

Factory resetting your phone before recycling it removes all your personal data — contacts, photos, messages, apps, and account information. It's an essential step before any phone changes hands, and takes just a few minutes on any smartphone.

A factory reset restores your phone to its original out-of-the-box state, as if it had never been set up. On Apple devices, you must also sign out of your Apple ID and disable Find My iPhone before resetting — this removes the iCloud Activation Lock so the next owner can set the phone up normally. On Samsung and other Android phones, you should sign out of your Google account and Samsung account before resetting for the same reason. Skipping account removal is the most common cause of revised offers and return requests.

Step by step

1 · iPhone: Sign out of Apple ID first
Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. You'll be prompted for your Apple ID password. This disables Find My iPhone and removes the iCloud Activation Lock. Then go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
iCloud removal guide →
2 · Samsung: Remove Samsung and Google accounts first
Go to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Manage Accounts and remove your Google and Samsung accounts. Then go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset and confirm.
3 · Google Pixel: Remove your Google account first
Go to Settings > Accounts > Google and remove your account. Then go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data (Factory Reset) and confirm.
4 · Back up before you reset
A factory reset permanently deletes everything on the device. Make sure your photos, contacts, and important data are backed up to iCloud, Google Photos, or your computer before starting.
5 · Disable your screen lock after reset
Some recyclers request that phones arrive without an active screen lock. A factory reset removes all screen locks automatically — so once you've completed the reset, this is done.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to factory reset my phone before selling?

Yes. This protects your personal data and ensures the recycler can process the phone for resale. A phone that hasn't been reset — or still has an active account lock — may receive a revised offer or be returned.

Will a factory reset remove the iCloud lock on my iPhone?

No. A factory reset alone does not remove iCloud Activation Lock. You must sign out of your Apple ID in Settings before performing the reset. If you don't, the phone will prompt for your Apple ID after the reset and cannot be activated.

iCloud removal guide →
What's the difference between a factory reset and erasing my phone?

On most phones, 'Erase All Content and Settings' (iPhone) or 'Factory Data Reset' (Android) achieve the same result — wiping all data and restoring the phone to factory state. The terminology varies by manufacturer but the outcome is the same.

I can't remember my Apple ID password — what do I do?

Visit appleid.apple.com to reset your Apple ID password before signing out and resetting your phone. If you're locked out of your account, contact Apple Support directly.

What if my screen is cracked and I can't navigate the settings?

Try using voice control (Siri on iPhone, or Voice Access on Android) if the touchscreen is partially responsive. If the phone is completely unresponsive, most recyclers have secure data destruction processes — note this in your order and contact the recycler.