How to Factory Reset Your iPhone or Android Safely

Before you touch anything: the 3 backups

• Photos: iPhone → iCloud Photos or Google Photos. Android → Google Photos (free tier compresses; original quality needs storage plan).
• Two-factor apps: This is the one people forget! If you use Google Authenticator or similar, migrate it FIRST (it locks you out of banks/email otherwise).
• Chats: WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat Backup. iMessage/SMS transfers during iPhone setup.

iPhone reset steps

• Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
• You'll need your Apple ID password (anti-theft protection — don't erase if you forgot it).
• If selling: after erase, the setup screen should say "Hello." Leave it there.

Android reset steps

• Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data (factory reset). Names vary by brand: Samsung: General management → Reset.
• Crucial: Remove your Google account BEFORE resetting if selling. A reset phone still protected by "Factory Reset Protection" will demand the old Google login — a nightmare for buyers and you.

Selling safely

After reset, remove the device from your Apple ID / Google account online (appleid.apple.com → Devices; myaccount.google.com → Security → Your devices). Then the phone is truly yours-free and buyer-ready. Old phone worth something? Estimate its current trade-in value with our trade-in calculator before selling privately.