For Android users, the “Android Device Manager” feature offers a neat method of maintaining control over your phone, even from a long distance, and locking it (or erasing all data!). While it’s important to disable this program if you’re selling your Android, make sure you’ve already backed up all information first. When you’ve completed steps 1-4, check out your account here and locate the “Security” section. You can manage all your devices from the “Your Devices” heading. Find the phone you’d like to sell and select “Remove.”
iPhones allow users to disable this feature AND erase all content and settings in one fell swoop. Once in Settings, click “General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings,” then follow the next prompts until completion. This will allow your iPhone’s future owner to activate the smartphone, as well as keep them from accessing your private information.
Yes, these steps can be time-consuming, but yes, they’re important! Logging out of and deleting account information is a sure-fire way to keep future users from causing issues or accessing content you’d rather keep private.