A new phone is exciting, but many people hesitate to trade in, sell or recycle their old device because they're worried about their personal information. As a result, countless old phones end up sitting in desk drawers and closets long after they've been replaced.

It's a valid concern. Your phone likely contains years of photos, messages, emails, passwords, financial information, and access to important accounts. Before handing it off to someone else, take a few simple steps to make sure your data stays with you.

Before You Start

Charge the phone and connect it to Wi-Fi. Make sure any information you want to keep has been transferred to your new device or backed up securely.

Keep in mind that deleting photos, messages, or apps is not the same as erasing your phone. To fully protect your information, you'll need to remove your accounts and perform a factory reset.

Step 1: Back Up Important Information

Before resetting your device, confirm that your important data has been saved.

This may include:

• Photos and videos
• Contacts
• Text messages
• Documents and notes
• App data
• Account information

Double-check that everything you need is available on your new device or in a secure backup before moving forward.

Step 2: Sign Out of Your Accounts

Next, remove the accounts connected to the phone.

This may include:

• Email accounts
• Cloud storage accounts
• Work or school accounts
• Financial or shopping apps
• Any account used to sync data across devices

Signing out and removing accounts helps ensure the phone is no longer linked to your personal information after it is reset.

Step 3: Perform a Factory Reset

Use the phone's built-in factory reset feature to erase all content and settings.

The exact steps vary by device, but most phones include a Factory Reset, Erase All Data or Reset Device option within the Settings menu.

Follow the on-screen instructions and allow the process to finish completely. When the reset is complete, the device should display the same setup screen a new owner would see when turning it on for the first time.

One More Important Step

After the reset:

• Remove the SIM card.
• Remove any memory card, if applicable.
• Confirm the device has been disconnected from your wireless account if required.
• If you plan to sell or give away the phone, make sure it has been paid off and is not restricted by a carrier lock.

A phone that's still tied to an account or payment plan may not be usable by its next owner.

Before You Pass It Along

Before trading in, selling, recycling or gifting your old phone, remember these four steps:

Back up your data.
 Sign out of your accounts.
 Factory reset the device.
 Remove any cards and account connections.

Taking a few extra minutes now can protect your privacy, give you peace of mind and help ensure your old device is ready for its next life.