Top Practices to Follow for Selling off Your Old Smartphone

Any smartphone usually lasts about three to four years max. After a certain time has passed, our cellphones do give away as they stop processing with the same swiftness and efficiency that they worked initially with. Not to forget that with technology changing rapidly, your cellphone may not have those features or OS that the new ones might have.

In that case, it is highly recommended to switch to a newer model with upgraded software versions. However, our mobile phones no longer just carry contacts, phone numbers, or photos. These devices now function as systems that carry more than our essentials. This is why it becomes even more important to dispose of the old phone in the right way. Listed below are some top ways that every person must follow before they decide to sell off their old smartphone:

Create Data Backup

Most smartphones hold more data than our laptops and PCs combined. This is why the first step that one should prepare for when they finally decide to switch to a newer model is to create a backup. It is very important because this way you can transfer all your data to cloud-based storage solutions such as Google Drive or Dropbox and reset your phone. Or you can transfer all your data to your laptop and clean your phone before selling it off. Most tech experts focus on the data backup process so that personal data is never lost, misplaced, or in the hands of some random stranger.

Another thing to note is that never sell off your phone immediately. Even if you have switched to a new one, it is important that once all your data is imported and moved properly on the new phone, then you should let go of your old mobile device.

Disconnect All Connected Accounts, Paired Devices, and Remove Screen Lock

Once all data has been transferred and a backup has been created, the next step is to disconnect all connected accounts such as your email account or social media ones. Then disconnect and forget all paired devices and passwords so that all private info is erased from the old phone. This also means removing and disconnecting Select TV devices and passwords, so that the old phone does not recognize this old saved info. Next, remove the screen lock as all personal data has been removed.

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It is important to note that once your smartphone is factory reset without disconnecting and erasing linked accounts, the new user may not be able to sign in as the phone still recognizes you as the rightful owner.

Remove Mobile SIM with Memory Card and Perform Factory Reset

Once all data has been removed along with linked accounts and paired devices, the next thing that you should remove is your mobile SIM card and your memory card from the phone. Installing your old SIM card and memory card into your new phone will help you access files that you did not transfer for backup. After this is done, your old phone is basically empty with all data removed, devices, and accounts shifted, transferred, or forgotten.

Now you are ready to perform a Factory Reset, which will make your phone go to the old settings before all the personalization took place. What makes this step crucial is that the new owner of your phone will not have access to any of your data. In addition to this, the smartphone will now run far more smoothly once storage has been cleaned off as well.

Cleanup the Smartphone from the Outside

Once you are sure that the insides of your phone are all cleaned up, it’s time to move to the outside. A little TLC for your phone will never hurt and in fact, raise the chances of being sold off at a price, better than what you expected. Dust off all the crevices in the device, so that it looks decent to buyers. Remove stickers or any kind of memorabilia that you have put on the phone.

Changing the screen protector of your phone will also instantly perk up its overall look. You may not be able to bring it to its former shiny self but it doesn’t have to look like a hand-me-down either. There are innumerable tutorials and how-tos online, which show how one can clean their smartphone. Follow them if you don’t know where to start. If you have the original box, place the phone and all its original accessories in the box. If not, place them neatly in another similar-sized cardboard box or a plastic bag. If you disposed of most of the original stuff, it’s best to let the buyer know this beforehand.

Wrapping Up

While doing some market research does always come in handy when you want to sell anything, it’s always suggested that your sell off to someone who may actually use it for legal purposes only. Why not ask around in your family and you will find that younger nieces and nephews will cherish buying your old phone from you, especially if their parents have strict rules for tech. At the end of the day, selling off old gadgets is not as simple or linear as selling old furniture and can be quite a tedious process. Just don’t be hasty and you are good to go!