Why a Factory Reset Is Not the Whole Story

It's tempting to think that hitting "Factory Reset" wipes the slate completely clean. In most cases, it does remove your personal files and app data — but it doesn't automatically sign you out of accounts, cancel subscriptions, or remove the device from your Apple ID or Google account. Skipping those steps can leave the next owner locked out of a device, or leave your cloud data quietly syncing to a gadget you no longer control.

Whether you're handing a phone to a family member, selling a tablet, or donating a laptop, the checklist below gives you a clear path through every step that actually matters. If you're planning to set up something new after this, see our guide on setting up a new phone or computer without losing your digital life for what comes next.

Back Up Your Data

Back up photos and videos to a cloud service or external drive before doing anything else. Must
Export or save any app data that doesn't sync automatically, such as game saves, notes, or offline documents. Must
Back up contacts, calendars, and saved passwords, especially if they are stored only on the device itself. Must
Check messaging apps for conversation histories you may want to preserve — many do not back up automatically. Should

Accounts and Sign-Ins

Sign out of your Apple ID, Google account, or Microsoft account directly in the device settings before resetting. Must
Remove the device from your account's trusted device list via the account's security settings on a browser. Must
Sign out of all social media, email, and banking apps individually before wiping. Must
Revoke any two-factor authentication (2FA) codes tied to apps on this device, and transfer 2FA to a new device first. Must
Deauthorize the device in apps that limit how many devices can access your account, such as digital media platforms. Should

Subscriptions and Licenses

Review active subscriptions purchased through the device's app store and cancel or transfer them if needed. Must
Check for software licenses (such as productivity suites) that may need to be deactivated before the license can be used on a new device. Should
Note any recurring in-app purchases that bill through the device's platform account so you can manage them going forward. Nice to have

Perform the Wipe

Run the factory reset or erase function from the device's official settings menu — not a third-party app. Must
For older Android devices, re-encrypt the device before resetting to reduce the chance that residual data can be recovered. Should
Verify after the reset that the device reaches the initial setup screen without asking for your old account credentials. Must

Physical and Final Checks

Inspect the device for physical damage and document it with photos if you plan to sell or trade it in. Should
Remove any SIM card, SD card, or accessories before handing the device to someone else. Must
Include original chargers or accessories if applicable, and confirm the device powers on cleanly for the new owner. Nice to have

Tools and Resources That Help

You don't need special software to work through this checklist, but a few resources make the process much smoother. Having these ready before you start will save significant back-and-forth.

Required

Your device's built-in settings app

Used to sign out of accounts, run the factory reset, and verify the device reaches the setup screen cleanly.

Required

A web browser on a separate device

Used to access your Apple ID, Google, or Microsoft account online to remove the device from your trusted list.

Required

Cloud storage service (already in use)

Used to verify your photos, contacts, and documents have synced before you wipe the device.

Optional

A password manager

Helps confirm all credentials stored only on the old device are saved somewhere accessible before the wipe.

Optional

An authenticator app on a second device

Needed to transfer any two-factor authentication codes before signing out of accounts on the old device.

For apps specifically, it's also worth running a quick audit before uninstalling anything. Our companion piece on what to check before you delete an app covers subscriptions, saved data, and linked logins in detail.

What People Most Commonly Miss

Activation Lock Can Brick a Device for the Next Owner

If you sell or donate a device that is still linked to your Apple ID, Google account, or Samsung account, the new owner will be unable to set it up — the device will remain locked. Always sign out of these accounts and confirm the device exits your account's device list before handing it over. This step is separate from, and must come before, running the factory reset.

The two steps that catch people off guard most often are removing the device from an activation lock ecosystem (Apple ID, Google account, Samsung account) and canceling or transferring digital subscriptions tied to that device. If you sell a phone still linked to your Apple ID, the buyer cannot set it up — and resolving that after the fact is time-consuming for everyone involved.

Similarly, subscriptions attached to an app on a specific device — some games, streaming add-ons, or productivity tools — may continue billing you even after the app is deleted if you don't cancel them directly through the App Store or Google Play. The overlooked settings that change how your device behaves guide is also worth reviewing if you want to understand what data your device has been quietly collecting before you hand it over.

If you're not replacing the device and simply want to make what you have last longer, the habits covered in our gadget longevity guide are a practical next read.