What to Do With Old Technology

TECH · GLOBAL

What to Do With Old Technology

Wiping data properly, selling or trading in, donating and recycling

Old devices accumulate in drawers holding personal data, and dealing with them properly takes about twenty minutes each.

Wipe it properly

Sign out of every account first, then remove the activation or account lock, then factory reset. A reset alone does not release an account lock, and a locked device is worthless to anyone.

On a computer, a full disk erase or an encrypted drive that is then reset is the reliable route. Remove SIM cards and memory cards, since a reset does not touch them.

Back up anything you want to keep before starting, and check the backup actually contains it.

Selling or trading in

Trade-in is fast and pays less. Selling privately pays more and takes effort and carries some risk. Compare a few quotes, since they vary considerably, and note that quotes drop sharply for cosmetic damage.

Prices fall fastest around a new model launch, so sell before rather than after.

Donating

Charities refurbish devices for people who cannot afford them, and schools and community projects take working equipment. Wipe it first and include the charger.

Recycling

Electricals never go in household waste. Retailers are generally obliged to take back an old item when delivering a replacement, and councils run collection points.

Never bin anything containing a lithium battery, since damaged cells start fires in collection vehicles.

Photographs and honesty

Photograph the actual device in daylight including any marks, state the storage size and the battery health, and mention anything replaced. Accurate listings sell faster and avoid disputes.

Meet in a public place for local sales, or use a tracked service with proof of postage.

Checking a device is not blocked

Buyers can check an IMEI against a blocklist, and a blocked phone cannot be used on networks. Provide the IMEI in advance, which reassures honest buyers.

Storage in the meantime

Store unused devices at around half charge in a cool dry place rather than flat, which damages lithium batteries permanently.

Accessories and chargers

Include the original charger and cable where you have them, since that raises the price and saves the buyer buying one. Keep one universal charger and recycle duplicates.

Check whether a trade-in scheme requires the accessories to get the quoted value.

Data on other devices

Printers, routers, smart speakers, games consoles, cars and televisions all store accounts and network details. Factory reset every one of them before selling or disposing of it.

Deregister devices from your accounts as well, since some remain listed afterwards.

Cables and accessories

Keep one spare of what you use and recycle the rest rather than storing a drawer of them.

WHERE TO BUY

Ready to shop SELL UR? Use the link below to visit the official store.

→ Shop SELL UR — official site

Visit this site