Securely erase your data before selling: iPhone & Android

Half your life lives on your phone: private photos, passwords, banking logins, chats. Before the device changes hands, all of it has to disappear securely, in a way that even specialist software cannot recover. The good news: modern devices do this really well, as long as you follow the right order.

Why modern erasing is secure

Current iPhones and Android devices encrypt their storage by default. During a reset, files are not overwritten one by one; instead, the encryption key is destroyed, and without it the data is mathematically unreadable, for anyone. It takes seconds and is more secure than the multiple-overwrite methods of the past.

The right order (iPhone)

1. Make a backup (iCloud or computer), otherwise the data is gone for you too.
2. Move two-factor and banking apps before the old device is wiped.
3. Turn off Find My and sign out of iCloud: Settings, your name, sign out at the bottom. Without this step, the activation lock stays active and nobody can use the device.
4. Erase: Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings.

The right order (Android)

1. Backup: Settings, Google, Backup; also back up your photos via Google Photos.
2. Remove accounts: sign out of your Google account (and your Samsung account on Samsung devices) under Settings, Accounts. This deactivates Factory Reset Protection, the anti-theft lock.
3. Check encryption: standard on current devices; on very old models, enable it first under Security.
4. Factory reset: Settings, System, Reset, Erase all data.

Don't forget: the physical leftovers

Remove the SIM card and memory card; the factory reset does not touch them. Transfer an eSIM to your new device beforehand or have your provider deactivate it.

The safety net when selling to remarket.ch

If you sell your device to us or trade it in, it is erased again with certified, documented deletion during refurbishment; that is part of the PhoneCheck refurbishment process. Double security, but never rely on it alone; in a private sale to strangers, that safety net does not exist.

Conclusion

Sign out of your accounts, then run a factory reset: that is all modern devices need, but both steps must happen in that order. You will find the complete pre-sale preparation, including accessories and IMEI, in our big checklist, and the instant price for your device at remarket.ch/verkaufen.