Thinking about sending in your old smartphone? Before you ship it off, there are a few critical steps to take. Here’s a quick checklist to ensure you get the best value, protect your personal information, and guarantee a smooth transaction.
1. Back Up Your Data Completely
Transfer your photos, contacts, and important files to cloud storage or your computer. Once your phone is wiped or processed, there is no getting that data back. We cannot recover data for you after you send the device.
2. Sign Out of All Accounts
Log out of iCloud, Google, social media, banking apps, and any other accounts. This is the most important step for iCloud on iPhones and FRP (Factory Reset Protection) on Androids. Leaving Find My iPhone or a Google account enabled locks the device entirely, preventing our certified technicians from refurbishing it to extend its lifespan.
If your device arrives with an activation lock (iCloud or MDM), we cannot bypass it or wipe it. The responsibility for removing these accounts rests entirely with you before shipping the device.
3. Remove Your SIM and SD Cards
Pop out your SIM card and any microSD cards. Your SIM card contains your phone number and account info, and your SD card may have personal files stored on it. We automatically destroy any cards we find, but it’s best to keep them in your possession.
4. Factory Reset Your Device
Perform a full factory reset to erase all your personal data. On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. On Android, go to Settings > System > Reset Options. This ensures your data is gone before it even leaves your hands.
5. Check Your Device’s Condition Honestly
Take a close look at your phone’s screen, body, and buttons. Being upfront about the condition helps you get an accurate quote and avoids any surprises during inspection. At ZadBuyBack.com, we accept devices in almost any condition — even with cracked screens.
The Environmental Impact of Your Choice
When you send your device to us, you’re doing more than just decluttering. You’re positively impacting the secondary market in the USA and globally. Refurbished phones from our facility may be used in various parts of the world, providing technology access while reducing electronic waste.
Even for devices that arrive locked (MDM or iCloud) and cannot be refurbished, they still hold value. We harvest these locked devices for parts to further aid the environment, and their motherboards are securely shredded in-house to guarantee your data remains safe.
Ready to recycle your device? Get your free quote now and see the value of your old technology.