Erase Before You Sell: A Step-by-Step Guide to Securely Wipe Personal Data from Any Device

Why a simple "delete" is not enough

Dragging files to the trash only removes the roadmap, not the data. Until the disk sectors are overwritten, anyone with free recovery software can resurrect your selfies, tax PDFs, or saved passwords. A 2019 University of Hertfordshire study bought 100 second-hand drives; 59 still held readable personal information. Treat every trade-in like a potential identity-theft goldmine.

Back up first, wipe second

1. Cloud: Turn on Google Photos, iCloud, or OneDrive and wait for the green check-mark.
2. Local: Plug an external drive, copy your User folder, then disconnect and label the drive.
3. Confirm: Open a few backed-up files on a second device to be sure they open without errors.

Only proceed when you can view your data somewhere else.

Smartphones: the 10-minute drill

Android

1. Settings → Security → Screen Lock → None (temporarily). This prevents FRP lock problems for the next owner.
2. Remove the micro-SD card and keep it; the reset does not touch it.
3. Settings → System → Reset Options → Erase all data (factory reset). If your phone offers "Erase downloaded SIMs" toggle it on.
4. After reboot, do NOT sign in. Power off and box the device.

iPhone

1. Settings → [Your Name] → Sign Out → enter Apple ID password. This disables Activation Lock.
2. Remove the SIM tray; keep the card.
3. Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
4. Let the progress bar finish; the welcome slider means the job is done.

Computers: HDD versus SSD matters

Windows with spinning hard drive

1. Download the free DBAN ISO and create a bootable USB with Rufus.
2. Boot from USB, type autonuke at the prompt, and wait two to four hours.
3. Reinstall Windows from Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool so the buyer sees a working laptop.

Windows with SSD

1. Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC → Remove everything.
2. Choose Change settings → turn on Clean the drive. This triggers the built-in Secure Erase command that most SSDs support.
3. Let the process finish; it usually reboots twice.

macOS

1. Apple menu → System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings (macOS 12+). Older Mac: restart into macOS Recovery → Disk Utility → Erase → Security Options → slide to Most secure.
2. Reinstall macOS from Recovery so the buyer sees the setup assistant.

External drives and USB sticks

Windows

File Explorer → right-click drive → Format → uncheck Quick Format. A full format on traditional drives overwrites every sector; SSDs still need vendor software such as Samsung Magician or Crucial Storage Executive for a PSID revert.

macOS

Disk Utility → select drive → Erase → Security Options → move slider to second-most secure (writes over data twice). Click Erase and wait.

Game consoles and streaming boxes

PlayStation 5: Settings → System → System Software → Reset Options → Reset Your Console → check Quick or Full. Choose Full for resell. Xbox Series: Settings → System → Console Info → Reset Console → Remove everything. Apple TV: Settings → System → Reset and Update. Each process reinstalls firmware, leaving no save files.

Smartwatches, earbuds, and cameras

These tiny gadgets cache heart-rate logs, Spotify passwords, or GPS tracks. Open the companion app on your phone, choose the device, then tap Remove or Unpair. Finally, select Factory Reset on the device itself if the option exists.

Verify your wipe worked

1. Do not log back in after the reset.
2. On computers, boot a Linux live USB and open Disks; free space should show Unknown or Unallocated.
3. Quick scan with free recovery software like Recuva. If it finds nothing but raw blank sectors, you are safe.

Sell or recycle responsibly

List the serial number in your advert and photograph the erased welcome screen; buyers love proof of a clean slate. If the gadget is too old to sell, deliver it to a certified e-waste recycler who provides a data-destruction certificate.

Bottom line

A factory reset alone works well on modern encrypted phones, but hard drives, SSDs, and external disks deserve extra steps. Spend the extra 15 minutes now to avoid months of identity-recovery headaches later. Back up, sign out, wipe, verify, then pocket the cash with peace of mind.

Disclaimer: This article offers general guidance only. Storage technologies and operating systems change; always consult the latest vendor documentation. Article generated by AI; verify critical steps independently.