What To Do Before You Sell Your Phone (Android)?
Many of us often keep changing our phones to get our hands on the latest models available in the market. In such cases, it can be better for you to sell your old phone. However, you will have to be very careful while selling your old phone. It contains lots of personal information that can be used for payment fraud, identity theft, and various other fraudulent activities. Therefore, these personal details must be erased beyond recovery. Thankfully, removing your personal information from your phone is no rocket science. You do not have to visit or consult any expert. Following a few simple steps you can remove all the important data from your phone. Additionally, there are a few other small things that require your attention. If you are not aware of what to do if you want to sell your phone online, we have a simple guide to sell your old phone that you can follow.
INDEX
Expert Guide to Selling Used or Old Android Phones Online
Backup Your Phone Data
Remove Your Google Account
Encrypt Your Data
Reset Network Settings
Perform a Factory Reset
Remove SIM and SD Cards
Update the Software
Disable Find My Device
Clear Browser History and Cached Data
Why Should You Sell Used/Old Phones?
Make some Extra Cash
Reduce Electronic Waste
Declutter Your Space
Sell Used or Old Phones Online in India To Mobilegoo
FAQs
Where is the best place to sell a used phone?
Is it OK to sell your old phone?
How can I sell my old phone fast?
Can I sell my old phone without a bill?
Expert Guide to Selling Used or Old Android Phones Online
Backup Your Phone Data
If you are selling your phone, the first thing you must do is take a backup. It is crucial to ensure you do not lose any data. This is simple! Go to Settings > System > Backup. Check that "Back up to Google Drive" is turned on. If not, turn it on. This will save your app data, call history, contacts, settings, and SMS to your Google account. If you want to back up your photos and videos as well, back them up on Google Photos. Most phones have this app by default. Open it, tap on your profile picture, and you will find the "Back up & sync" option. Turn it on. Other cloud services, like Dropbox or OneDrive can also be used.
Although most people do not prefer a physical backup, you can do it as well. Connect your smartphone to a computer using a USB cable and transfer all important files manually by copying them.
Remove Your Google Account
Always remove your Google account from the old phone before selling. Open Settings > Accounts > Google and then tap "Remove account." This will avoid activation lock issues. Otherwise, the new owner may face difficulty in setting up the phone. Just make sure all your data is backed up before removing it. Once you tap on it, you will be signed out of all Google apps on the phone.
Encrypt Your Data
This may seem like a very complicated task. ‘Encrypting your phone data’ will sound very techy to most people. However, it is not as difficult as it sounds. This is a simple process to add an extra layer of security before performing a factory reset. By doing this, you can ensure that any residual data is unreadable. To encrypt your phone, go to Settings > Security > Encrypt phone. You will get a few on-screen instructions. Carefully follow them and finish the process. It may take an hour or more. So, it is best to keep the smartphone on charge.
Reset Network Settings
If you do not want the new owner to see your saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth devices, or VPN settings, reset your network settings. You will find the option to reset in Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Confirm the reset to clear all network-related settings. Setting up new connections will also get easier for the new buyer.
Perform a Factory Reset
You must know about a factory reset. It basically erases all data from your phone and restores it to its original settings. This means all your personal information will be completely deleted and accessing them will be impossible. The ‘factory reset’ option is available in Settings > System > Factory Reset > Erase all data. Once you confirm your choice, you will have to wait for the process to complete. It may take several minutes.
Remove SIM and SD Cards
This may seem like a very obvious thing to do but always remember to remove your SIM and SD cards before selling your phone. There have been times when people forgot to remove them. Even though you will get them back if you are selling your old phone to a trusted buyer, you will have to go through a lot of hassle. Therefore, it is always better to just remove them beforehand. People sometimes leave the SIM purposely if they do not need it. But, it can just increase the chance of fraudulent activities and must be avoided.
Update the Software
When you are selling your used mobile phone, it is not just about protecting your data. You also want a good price for it. One of the ways to ensure it is by keeping it updated. A buyer will provide a higher price if your phone has the latest features and security patches. To check if any recent updates are available for your phone, check Settings > About Phone > Android Version. It will show the current version, and if any new updates are available.
Disable Find My Device
All phones come with a ‘Find My Device’ option. You may want to turn it off so that the new owner can set up their own tracking features. The ‘Find My Device’ option is available in Settings > Security > Find My Device. Tap it and then turn it off. Disabling it will prevent any issues with tracking or activation lock for the next user. This may not benefit you. But, it will ensure a smooth transition to the new owner.
Clear Browser History and Cached Data
When you use the internet on your Android phone, it creates browser history and cached data. This data must be removed to protect your privacy. Open Chrome first and then navigate to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data. Select all three options: "Browsing history," "Cookies and site data," and "Cached images and files." Make sure that the time range is set to "All time" to clear all data. Finally, tap "Clear data" to complete the process. There will not be any trace of your online activity left.
These are a few tips that will ensure you do not face any issues after selling your mobile. Besides following these steps, it is always wise to clean the phone physically. Put any cleaner in a piece of cloth and wipe the phone clean with it. Your phone will appear new and more appealing. This can help to find a buyer for your used phone fast.
Why Should You Sell Used/Old Phones?
Make some Extra Cash
The biggest benefit of selling your old phone is quick cash. Since the device is no longer used, it will sit idle in your home. Over the years, the price of your old phone will only decrease. Therefore, it is always smart to sell a phone without waiting for very long. You will be able to fetch a decent price from the buyer. The money can be used to upgrade to a new phone, pay off bills, or save for something special. There are many tips that will help to sell your old mobile for maximum profit.
Reduce Electronic Waste
Environmental pollution is a serious concern that needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, electronic waste is a great threat to the environment, as it contains harmful materials like lead and mercury. By selling your old phone, you contribute to reducing e-waste. It will ensure that the used phone will be either reused or recycled.
Declutter Your Space
Piling up unused items in your home can cause clutter. Even though a phone is a small item, storing old phones can clutter your storage space. By selling your old mobile, you can free up this space and put it to some good use. This will help to prevent clutter in your home.
Sell Used or Old Phones Online in India To Mobilegoo
Ready to turn your old phone into cash? Sell your used or old phones online In India to Mobilegoo. We are a trusted partner to sell phones in India hassle-free. With us, you get the best prices, quick payments, and a simple selling process. So, do not let your old phone gather dust. Contact Mobilegoo and give it a new life today!
FAQs About Selling Used Phones
Where is the best place to sell a used phone?
There are many online platforms where you can sell your old phone. However, Mobilegoo is the best partner you can have. When selling to Mobilegoo, you do not sell your phone to any random seller. Mobilegoo is a certified company that will offer you the best price based on your phone model and performance. We also have a very simple process. You just have to answer a few questions and your phone will be sold. Our company offers doorstep pickup for your convenience.
Is it OK to sell your old phone?
Selling your old phone is always a wise decision. There are many benefits like selling your old phone for cash and promoting a circular economy. However, many people refrain from doing so. This could be due to many reasons like not expecting a fair value or breach of privacy. However, with Mobilegoo, these are not a problem. We always provide the best phone price and take strict measures to prevent any data breach.
How can I sell my old phone fast?
Mobilegoo offers a simple and efficient solution if you want to sell your phone fast. First, you will have to answer a few basic questions about your phone. As soon as you share all the necessary details, we will provide an instant online quote and schedule a pickup. Once the diagnosis of your device and verification of your identity are complete, we will process the payment instantly. In case of any issue, our customer support is always available to assist you.
Can I sell my old phone without a bill?
Mobilegoo understands that you may not always have the bill with you. This does not mean you cannot sell your old phone. Our phone selling process is quite straightforward. Just provide all the details related to your phone. The experts will carefully go through the details shared, and process the payment once checked.