To wipe phone before selling, go in this order: back up, sign out of your Google, Samsung or Apple Account, then factory reset. Take out SIM and memory cards, and decide on purpose whether to delete your eSIM.
The sign-out step matters most. Skip it and the buyer gets stuck on a screen asking for your password after the reset. That’s Factory Reset Protection on Android and Activation Lock on iPhone.
This works for Android phones, Samsung Galaxy phones and iPhones. More phone guides are in our Android and iPhone sections. If you’re on the other side of the deal, see what to check before buying a used phone.
Why a factory reset on its own isn’t enough
Phones have anti-theft locks tied to your account. They are there so a thief can’t just reset a stolen phone and use it.
- Android (device protection, often called Factory Reset Protection): after a reset, the phone may ask for the screen lock or the Google Account that was on it. Google warns that if this can’t be provided during setup, the phone can’t be used at all. Removing your Google Account before the reset turns this off.
- Samsung Galaxy: a Samsung account adds its own check. Samsung asks for your Samsung account password during the reset.
- iPhone (Activation Lock): while Find My is on, the phone stays linked to your Apple Account. Signing out of your Apple Account, or turning off Find My, removes the lock.
Trade-in programs check for these locks, and a buyer who can’t get past one will want a refund. Doing it right also means none of your accounts stay attached to a phone you no longer own.
Before you wipe: checklist for any phone
- Back up. Back up to your Google Account, Samsung’s tools or iCloud, and check that the backup finished. The reset can’t be undone.
- Move what doesn’t back up on its own. Authenticator codes, WhatsApp chats and some app data need their own transfer. Our guide to transferring to a new iPhone covers these, and so does setting up a new Android phone.
- Charge it. Google says to charge an Android phone to at least 70% and keep it on Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- Know your passwords. You’ll need your screen lock and your Google, Samsung or Apple Account password.
- Unpair your smartwatch from the phone first (Apple Watch steps are below).
- Changed your Google password recently? Google says to wait 24 hours after a password reset before you factory reset.
How to wipe phone before selling: Android
Menu names vary by phone maker and Android version. These are Google’s steps for Pixel and most Android phones; Samsung steps follow.
Step 1: Remove your Google Account
- Open Settings and go to Passwords & accounts. On some phones it’s just Accounts; search Settings for “accounts” if you can’t find it.
- Tap each Google account, then tap Remove account.
- Repeat for every Google account on the phone. This is what turns off device protection.
Step 2: Factory reset
- Open Settings → System → Reset options.
- Tap Erase all data (factory reset) and confirm.
- Enter your PIN, pattern or password if asked. Google says a reset can take up to an hour.
Samsung Galaxy phones
- Make sure the phone is online. Samsung says a network connection is needed to sign out of your Samsung account during the reset.
- If you encrypted a microSD card, decrypt it first in Settings, or the phone won’t be able to read it afterward. Better still, take the card out.
- Open Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset and review the list of what will be erased.
- Tap Reset, then Delete all.
- Enter your screen lock and your Samsung account password when asked.
- The phone restarts on the setup screen. Leave it there for the new owner.
Remove your Google account (Step 1) on a Galaxy too, before the reset. It costs a minute and makes sure the buyer won’t hit a Google sign-in lock.
How to wipe an iPhone before selling
- Unpair your Apple Watch. In the Apple Watch app, tap My Watch → All Watches, tap the info button next to the watch, then Unpair Apple Watch. If you’re selling the watch too, remove its cellular plan when asked.
- Back up to iCloud or a computer.
- Sign out of your Apple Account. Go to Settings → [your name], scroll down and tap Sign Out. Enter your password when asked. This turns off Find My and removes Activation Lock.
- Erase the iPhone. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
- Choose what happens to your eSIM. During the erase, you can keep it or delete it. If your number has already moved to your new phone, or you’re not keeping this line, delete it. Apple recommends erasing the eSIM when you sell, trade in or give away a phone.
- Moving to a non-Apple phone? Deregister iMessage so texts from iPhone users reach your new phone.
Afterward, sign in at your Apple Account settings and remove the old iPhone from your list of trusted devices.
SIM cards, eSIMs and memory cards
| Item | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Physical SIM | Pop it out with a SIM tool or paperclip | It carries your number. Trade-in programs ask you to remove it |
| eSIM | Move it to your new phone first, then delete it on the old one | Deleting it before your new phone works can leave you without service until your carrier reissues it |
| microSD card | Remove it (and decrypt it first if you encrypted it) | Your photos and files on the card go with it. Apple and Samsung both say to take memory cards out |
| Case and screen protector | Remove for trade-ins | Apple asks you to remove cases and protectors before a trade-in |
Don’t delete an eSIM to “troubleshoot” or before your new phone has service. Once it’s deleted, you need your carrier to set up a new one.
Already handed it over without wiping it?
You can still clean up from another device.
- iPhone: go to icloud.com/find, sign in, select the iPhone and erase it. When it’s erased, select Remove This Device. Apple also recommends changing your Apple Account password and removing Apple Pay cards.
- Android: use Find Hub to erase the phone remotely, then remove it from your Google Account. Our guide to finding a lost phone shows where those controls live.
- Either way: change the passwords for your main accounts, starting with email.
Trading in vs selling privately
The wipe is the same. What changes is who checks it. Trade-in programs, including Samsung’s, ask you to remove your accounts and security locks, back up your data and remove SIM and memory cards before you ship. Samsung says it isn’t responsible for personal information left on a traded-in phone. Selling to a person? Do the reset with the buyer watching if you meet up, so they can see it land on the setup screen.
FAQ
Does a factory reset delete everything?
It erases your apps, data and settings and returns the phone to its setup screen. Take out any microSD card separately, and back up first because the reset can’t be undone.
What is Factory Reset Protection?
It’s Android’s anti-theft lock (Google calls it device protection). After a reset, the phone asks for the screen lock or Google Account that was on it. Remove your Google Account before the reset to turn it off.
How do I remove Activation Lock before selling an iPhone?
Sign out of your Apple Account in Settings → [your name] → Sign Out, which turns off Find My. Then erase the iPhone.
Should I delete my eSIM before selling?
Yes, once your number is working on your new phone. If you delete it too early, you’ll need your carrier to issue a new eSIM.
Why does Google say to wait 24 hours?
If you recently reset your Google Account password, Google advises waiting 24 hours before a factory reset, so the phone doesn’t get stuck verifying the account.
Sources
- What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad (Apple Support)
- How to erase an eSIM on your iPhone or iPad (Apple Support)
- Unpair and erase your Apple Watch (Apple Support)
- Reset your Android device to factory settings (Android Help)
- Help prevent others from using your device without permission (Android Help)
- Reset your old Android device (Google Account Help)
- Perform a factory reset on your Galaxy phone or tablet (Samsung US)
- Samsung Trade-In FAQ (Samsung US)
