Getting Rid of an Old Cellphone? Do This First or Risk Getting Hacked
Updated: Jun. 12, 2024
Don't toss your old device in the trash! Here's what to do with old cellphones to protect your personal information, according to tech experts.
I’ve had my current cellphone for less than two years, but I’m already getting weekly texts from my carrier with offers to upgrade it. Some people love to have the latest and greatest features, while others (like me) are content to wait until the phone is no longer usable. Eventually, though, most people get to the point where they’re ready to buy a new one, which is when they typically wonder what to do with old cellphones.
Numerous options exist, including trading in your cellphone for a newer model or recycling it, but most of them come with security risks. “Both personally identifiable information, such as your name and address, and sensitive information, such as account numbers, usernames and passwords, can be extracted from the device and used for identity theft,” warns cybersecurity and identity-theft expert Robert Siciliano, CEO of Protect Now Cyber Security Training and Solutions. But if you take a few smart online-security precautions, you can sidestep these potential threats.
To find out exactly how to do that, Reader’s Digest spoke with Siciliano and Jeremy Walters, a sustainability ambassador and the manager of external communications for waste-disposal company Republic Services. Read on to learn the correct way to dispose of a cellphone, along with some additional tech tips to protect your personal information.
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How can your cellphone put your personal information at risk?
We use our phones for everything from social media to banking transactions, and these apps contain sensitive data like your name, birth date, account info and more. If someone who’s a bit tech-savvy gets their hands on your old phone before you’ve deleted your data, they can gain access to all that information, Siciliano says. And if they have forensics software, they can simply plug the mobile phone into their laptop and scan the device for it.
Once they have that info, they can use it for their financial gain—and your loss. The scam you’re most vulnerable to depends on what information you’re leaving accessible on your old cellphone, Siciliano says. For example, if hackers have access to personally identifying information (think: your name, address and social security number), they might use your information to open new accounts to access a line of credit. Or if the accessible data includes includes usernames, passcodes and even live “cookie” sessions, hackers may take over bank accounts and credit card accounts and make unauthorized transactions.
What steps should you take before recycling your old cellphone?
To be sure you don’t lose your photos, music, documents, contacts, passwords and apps—and ensure that no one else can access them—take the following steps before getting rid of your old cellphone in any manner.
1. Back up your phone
You can choose to back up your data to the cloud (most phone manufacturers have a proprietary cloud service, such as iCloud or Google Cloud) or to an external drive, but Siciliano says it’s best to do both for extra peace of mind. You also may be able to transfer your data directly to your new phone. Most modern cellphones have on-screen prompts to help you do this as soon as you turn on the new phone.
And here’s another option: If you have an Amazon Prime account, you can use Amazon Photos to store your photos. This is particularly helpful if you have a large number of photos, since it will give you unlimited photo storage, whether you have an iPhone or Android.
2. Sign out of your accounts
To avoid having anyone gain access to your personal information, go into your phone’s settings and sign out of everything: email, banking, iCloud, online shopping, subscriptions and even social media. Also ensure that your phone is no longer paired with devices like speakers and printers.
3. Delete your saved usernames and passwords
You’ll do this while you’re still in your phone’s settings, whether you have an iPhone and Android.
On an iPhone
- Go to Settings > Passwords.
- If you want to delete your passwords one at a time, scroll down to the alphabetical list of websites and tap on the one you want to manage. At the bottom of the screen, tap “Delete Password.”
- If you want to delete them all in one fell swoop, tap “Edit” at the top of the screen. Then go to the alphabetical list of websites, tap the circle next to each one, and tap “Delete” at the top of the screen.
On an Android
- Go to Settings > Password Manager.
- Select the password you want to remove, and tap “delete.”
4. If you have an Android, remove it from two-factor authentication
Typically, once you enter a username and password for a site, you will receive a code on your phone if you’ve registered it for two-factor authentication (2FA). If that code pops up on your old phone, someone could gain access to your accounts. While this isn’t a risk on an iPhone, since 2FA is linked to your AppleID and not a specific device, it is a potential issue on Androids.
Here’s how to remove 2FA from your Android:
- Go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Security.
- Under “How you sign in to Google,” tap “2-step verification.”
- Tap “Turn off.”
- Confirm by tapping “Turn off” again.
| ♦ Pro tip |
| To keep track of all the usernames and passwords you’re deleting, use a secure password manager from a third party. Once you’re signed back in on your new phone, you may want to change the passwords on your accounts. |
5. Unlink and remove your SIM card
After you’ve signed out and unpaired your device from everything, remove your SIM card (which stores information like your phone number, carrier, contact list and text messages). If you’re going to keep the same phone number, you may be able to use it in your new phone. If you don’t plan to reuse it, you should either erase it (during the reset process described below) or destroy it, so you don’t leave that info vulnerable.
6. Reset your phone
Lastly, perform a factory reset on your iPhone or Android phone to wipe your personal information from your device. “All digital devices have the ability to ‘reset’ or wipe existing data and/or reinstall the operating system,” Siciliano says. This “reset” option is also found in your phone’s settings. If you want an extra layer of security, some third-party programs, such as BitRaser.com, will completely wipe any residual data, he adds.
“If downloading and installing software is too cumbersome, the data can be destroyed the old-fashioned way: by wearing safety goggles and using a hammer to destroy the device,” he says. While it sounds like he’s joking, it’s true that if you don’t feel comfortable wiping your device, your only other option is to destroy it—if you want your data to remain safe from prying eyes, that is.
Once you’ve taken all these steps, you can now focus on what to do with your old cellphone.
What to do with old cellphones
Before you get rid of your old cellphone completely, consider whether you can repurpose it. Perhaps it still has some life in it, even if it doesn’t have the latest bells and whistles. Maybe your tween or teen would be happier to have your hand-me-down than no phone at all. Or maybe you could assign it a new dedicated use. For example, you can download apps that help you use it as a baby monitor, security camera, remote control or webcam.
If none of those uses appeal to you, here are your other options:
Trade it in
Some cellphone carriers and manufacturers—notably, T-Mobile, Verizon, Apple and Samsung—have take-back programs that allow you to trade in your old phone for a new, upgraded model. They’ll offset the price of your new phone by the remaining value of your old phone, which they calculate using factors such as the age, condition and current market price for it. If you don’t yet know which phone you want, you may be able to have the value of your old phone refunded to you as an account credit or on a gift card.
Certain electronics and office-supply stores, including Best Buy and Staples, have similar programs.
Sell it
If you don’t want to deal with a cellphone carrier or manufacturer, you can sell your old phone outright. You can always go through social media channels, like Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor, or you can use outlets that pay you directly. These include:
- Decluttr, a site dedicated to buying and selling used technology products. It pays you via direct deposit or PayPal as soon as your device arrives and is inspected.
- SellCell, a site that claims to offer top dollar—20% to 40% more than carriers give you for a trade-in—for your phone.
- Swappa, a personal tech–focused site that enables users to buy and sell directly with one another.
Donate it
If your phone is still in decent condition and you don’t have a family member to pass it on to, you can donate it to a charitable organization. Some groups that accept used phones include:
- Cell Phones for Soldiers, a national nonprofit that uses the proceeds from donated cellphones to purchase international calling cards for active-duty military members and veterans.
- Medic, a company that builds software for health-care workers who provide essential care in Africa and Asia. Medic’s partners refurbish or recycle your old phone, and Medic receives the value of each recycled phone, which goes toward supporting its work.
- World Computer Exchange, which refurbishes and donates your old technology to at-risk communities.
You can also reach out to local shelters, retirement communities and other organizations that help those in need.
Recycle it
Cellphone manufacturing uses a lot of natural resources, including copper, gold, palladium, lithium and crude oils. It also requires an enormous amount of energy and produces greenhouse-gas emissions. And if you just throw your old phone in the trash when you’re done with it, it leaches toxins and gases into the soil and water. So recycling your phone is a more Earth-friendly way to end its life. “Knowing how to recycle e-waste properly not only keeps toxic and potentially dangerous materials out of the waste stream—it also allows recyclers to harvest valuable materials for another use,” explains Walters.
Many of the take-back and donation programs listed above will recycle your phone for free, even if it can’t be refurbished or has no market value left. They’ll generally also send you a kit or free shipping label to mail it in or instructions on where you can drop it off.
If those aren’t good options for you, Walters recommends searching Earth911 or Call2Recycle to find an e-waste drop-off site in your neighborhood. You can also order a prepaid box and mail any tech waste to Republic Services, and the company will properly recycle your old electronic devices for you. Homeboy Electronics also lets you ship your old cellphone and other devices for recycling, though they use FedEx and you have to supply your own box.
You might want to consider recycling accessories, such as your earbuds and chargers, while you’re recycling your old cellphone. Check to see if the service you’re interested in offers that option as well.
Additional reporting by Lindsay Christinee.
About the experts
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Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece on what to do with old cellphones, Laurie Budgar tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who has reported on technology, and Lindsay Christinee brought in her knowledge of recycling and sustainability. Then Burton Kelso, owner of tech-repair company Integral and a technology expert with more than 30 years of experience, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Robert Siciliano, president and CEO of Protect Now Cyber Security Training and Solutions; email interview, May 21, 2024
- Jeremy Walters, sustainability ambassador and manager, external communications, for Republic Services; email interview, May 17, 2024
- Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice: “How to remove your personal information before you get rid of your phone”
- Xfinity Mobile: “How do I remove my personal information before sending back my phone?”
- Google: “Turn off 2-Step Verification”
- Android: “Start your new phone era with easy data transfer”
- Apple: “Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad”
Originally Published: January 22, 2021
