Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/1vrh58t/lpt_before_selling_or_throwing_away_an_old_phone/

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The original was posted on /r/lifeprotips by /u/Unfair-Biscotti-4511 on 2026-08-18 06:25:39+00:00.

Old devices can have a lot more personal information on them than you realize.

Your email accounts, photos, messages, browser history, cloud storage, and sometimes even saved passwords can still be accessible if you simply delete a few apps or sign out of one account.

Before getting rid of an old device, back up anything you want to keep, sign out of your accounts, and do a proper factory reset.

For laptops especially, don't just delete your files manually. Use the built-in reset option and choose the option that removes your personal files.

It's easy to think an old device is basically empty because you haven't used it in months. It might still have years of your personal information sitting on it.

For most people, a proper factory reset is a good basic step before selling or giving away a device. If the device contains highly sensitive information, though, don't assume a normal reset makes the data impossible to recover. Check the manufacturer's secure-erasure guidance or use a more thorough data-erasure method.