What happens to your data
The reason most people hesitate to sell an old phone is what's still on it. Here is exactly what we do, and what you should do first.
Erase it yourself first
We erase every device we receive, but you should not rely on us alone. Reset the device before it leaves your hands — it is the only step fully under your control, and it takes a couple of minutes.
- iPhone and iPad. Sign out of iCloud, turn off Find My, then Settings, General, Transfer or Reset, Erase All Content and Settings.
- Mac. Sign out of iCloud, turn off Find My Mac, then Erase All Content and Settings in System Settings.
- Android and Samsung. Remove your Google account, then Settings, General Management, Reset, Factory Data Reset.
- Apple Watch. Unpair it from the paired iPhone — this erases it and lifts activation lock in one step.
What we do when it arrives
- Devices are stored securely from arrival until processing, not left out on a bench.
- Every device is erased before resale or recycling, whether or not you reset it first, and whether or not it powers on.
- Devices that cannot be erased — because they do not power on or the storage has failed — have their storage physically destroyed rather than resold.
- We do not browse your device. Inspection checks hardware, condition, and lock status. Nobody opens your photos or messages.
Why a reset is enough on modern devices
Phones, tablets, and laptops made in the last decade encrypt their storage by default. A factory reset destroys the encryption key, which leaves the remaining data unreadable. This is why a proper reset on a modern device is genuinely final, not the "deleted but recoverable" situation people remember from old computers.
Much older devices and traditional spinning hard drives are the exception. Those get overwritten or physically destroyed rather than simply reset.
A note on this page
Review before publishing — this page describes the process the site advertises. Make sure every claim here matches what you actually do, and only use the words "certified" or "certified data erasure" anywhere on the site if you hold a real certification and can name it. Claiming a certification you do not have is the kind of statement that draws regulator attention.
What if I forget to reset it?
We erase it on arrival regardless. Resetting first is still worth doing — it means your data never leaves your possession intact.
What about a device that won't turn on?
It cannot be erased through software, so the storage is physically destroyed instead. A broken device is never resold with its storage intact.
Can I get written confirmation it was erased?
Yes. Email us with your reference number after your sale completes and we will confirm in writing.
What happens to devices you don't resell?
They are recycled through an electronics recycler rather than sent to landfill, after the same erasure or destruction step.