How to Factory Reset a Phone Before Selling It
A factory reset alone isn't enough — accounts must be signed out first, or the next owner gets a locked brick and you get a refund request. Here's the right order. General guidance only.
Reviewed by the PhonesForCash buying teamLast reviewed
This guide reflects practical device identification, inspection and resale considerations used by our buying team when assessing phones and other devices. It is general guidance, not a confirmed valuation.
Order matters: back up → sign out of accounts → remove SIM / eSIM → factory reset. Skipping the sign-out step leaves the device Activation Locked.
Step 1 — Back up first
Don't skip this. See how to back up your phone before selling — authenticator apps in particular won't survive a reset.
Step 2 — Sign out of accounts
iPhone
- Settings → [Your Name] → Sign Out (signs out of iCloud and disables Find My)
- Enter your Apple ID password to confirm
- This is what removes Apple's Activation Lock — the device won't be usable to anyone else otherwise
Android (Samsung, Pixel, others)
- Settings → Accounts → tap each account → Remove account
- Remove your Google account — required to clear Factory Reset Protection (FRP)
- Samsung devices: also remove your Samsung account under Settings
- Sign out of WhatsApp, banking apps and any other identity-linked services if you'd prefer them gone before the reset
Step 3 — SIM and eSIM
- Remove the physical SIM and keep it
- For eSIM, see SIM and eSIM before selling — don't delete the eSIM before checking with your network
Step 4 — Factory reset
iPhone
Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your passcode and Apple ID password. The device wipes and reboots to the "Hello" screen.
Samsung / Android
Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset → Reset on Samsung. On Pixel and stock Android: Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data (factory reset). The device reboots to the welcome screen.
Step 5 — Verify the reset
After the reboot you should see the initial setup screen — "Hello" on iPhone, the Android welcome screen on Galaxy / Pixel. Do not sign back into your account during setup. Leave the device on the setup screen for the next owner.
Important — reset alone doesn't remove all locks
A factory reset wipes your data but does not necessarily remove Apple Activation Lock or Google Factory Reset Protection if the account was not removed first. These protections are linked to your Apple Account or Google account on Apple/Google servers, not the device itself. Always remove the account through official methods before resetting.
What we never publish
We don't provide instructions for bypassing Activation Lock, Google FRP, network locks or other device-security protections. The legitimate owner can remove these protections through official, owner-authorised methods — signing in with the associated account, removing the device via iCloud.com or the Google account online, or contacting Apple, Google or the manufacturer with acceptable proof of purchase. If you've lost access to the account, use the official recovery process before selling — or see Sell Locked Phones St Helens.
Common questions
Will the reset really erase my data?
Modern iPhone and Android storage is hardware-encrypted — the reset destroys the encryption keys, making remaining data unrecoverable. It is the recommended way to wipe a phone for sale.
Do I need to remove the screen passcode before resetting?
No — you'll be prompted for it during the reset to confirm. The reset itself clears the passcode.
What if I can't remember my Apple ID password?
Recover it via iforgot.apple.com before resetting. Don't reset first — the device will be Activation Locked to that account afterwards.
Want this applied to your specific device? Send the model and we'll come back with a realistic guide figure.
Related reading
Device Knowledge Centre →
All selling, valuation and recycling guides.
Back up before selling →
Run this first.
Remove phone accounts before selling →
Apple, Google, Samsung, OPPO, HUAWEI sign-out — do this before the reset.
iPhone Stolen Device Protection →
Security Delay and what to expect.
What is Activation Lock? →
Why sign-out matters.
SIM and eSIM before selling →
Keep your number, clear the device.
Prepare your phone for valuation →
Full pre-counter checklist.
Sell locked phones St Helens →
Account-locked devices considered.