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Preparing old phone prior to giving away

B

bass2rez

Newbie
Hi Everyone,

I have a new HTC One which I have connected to my Google account and all the apps etc have been installed on this new phone.

I now wish to prepare my old Android phone to give away and wish to know the correct series of steps to ensure it is disconnected from my Google account.

Should I perform these steps:

1. Uninstall the apps, such that the Google account knows these apps are no longer installed on that phone,

2. Log out of my Google account on the old phone to disconnect it from my Google account

3. Factory reset the phone?

Can anyone enlighten me as to whether any or all of these steps are required?

I ask because the last time I did this, I just performed a factory reset, but my Google account still shows that previous phone as mine, and with all the apps still installed, even though it was wiped.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Yeah this ^ after the reset, the phone will ask you to log in. Don't. :thumbup:
If the phone has a memory card, remember to remove that before selling the phone.
Play Store will still show the old phone but that doesn't matter, if you tried to remotely install something to it it would fail
 
Yeah, I need to do the same thing with my beloved HTC Thunderbolt, first smartphone I ever had. So, just do a factory reset/format the microsd card in it, and its all set to sell?
 
Don't leave a SIM card in it! The buyer could then run up calls on your dime :eek:

As stated above, a factory reset is a must.

In fact, a reset is not totally secure as the way SD technology works, it is possible to recreate large parts of the contents, even after deletion.

Basically, the way I understand it (this is not my area of expertise), when you change a file, the file is not amended, instead a new, amended version of the file is created in a new location and the old, unchanged version is simply 'marked' as deleted (gross over simplification warning ;))

This same issue means that even software that is used to erase HDDs (by over-writing every bit with a0) is apparently mostly ineffective with SD.

Fortunately, not too many people have the expertise / tools / desire to trawl through the phone storage so a factory reset is generally enough. Think of it like your front door: if someone's determined to get in to the house, they will, but most won't bother if the front door's locked ;)
 
Ah. I figured since the phone does come with a micro sd, I didnt wanna leave it incomplete when I sell it. Granted, I only wanna sell it for 50-60 tops.
 
Yeah i wouldnt bother giving them the SD card but you can wipe it in the phone's settings and give them it if you want.
As Semple said, dont give them the SIM card. Thats basically your ID to the carrier so its of no valid use to the buyer. Its your property. Put it in the new phone when you get it if the carrier doesnt give you a new SIM. otherwise, bin it :thumbup:
 
Many thanks for the replies.

I decided to uninstall a few of the apps that were purchased, in case I had issues with installing those paid-for apps on my new phone, due to it appearing to be still installed on the old phone.

I then logged out of each email account in turn, then finally the main Google account. Finally, I performed a factory reset.

I realise I may have performed too many operations, but better to be safe than sorry!

Thanks,
Steve
 
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