The box has been opened, the screen protector’s on and your photos have transferred across. Your new phone is up and running, and you’re enjoying the shiny new features.
But there’s still one thing left on the to-do list, and it’s the one we most often forget. What happens to the phone you’ve just replaced?
If you leave it in a drawer, it’ll still be there in three years, slightly more outdated and possibly with a flat battery. A few simple steps now will save you trouble later. Here’s a checklist to work through.
Whether you plan to trade in phone handsets, go for a samsung trade in with an Android, or simply keep it as a spare, the same steps apply.
Step one: check everything’s moved across
Don’t reset anything until you’re certain your new phone has everything it needs. Open your photos and scroll through the last few months. Check your contacts, messages and any apps that store data locally.
Pay special attention to authenticator apps used for logging into banking and work accounts. These don’t always transfer automatically, and they can lock you out if you haven’t set them up on your new phone.
Messaging apps like WhatsApp also need a proper backup and restore. It’s worth checking that your chat history has come across before you let the old one go.
Step two: back up one last time
Even if you’ve already transferred everything, take a final backup. It takes a few minutes and means you’ve got a safety net. Use iCloud, Google One or a computer, whichever suits you.
Step three: sign out of everything
This is the step that catches people out. If you hand a phone on while it’s still signed in, it can become stuck behind an activation lock.
On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name and sign out, and make sure Find My iPhone is switched off. On an Android phone, remove your Google account and any manufacturer account, such as a Samsung account. If you’ve paired a smartwatch or headphones, unpair them too.
Step four: factory reset
Now you can erase the phone. On an iPhone, go to Settings, General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone, and choose Erase All Content and Settings. On Android, look under System or General management for a reset option.
The phone will restart and ask you to set it up as new. Don’t. Leave it on the welcome screen, because that’s how a new owner will want to find it.
Step five: remove the extras
Take out your SIM card, and any memory card too. Take off the case and screen protector. Gather the charger and cable, and the original box if you still have it. A phone that arrives with its accessories is more appealing, and it’s easier to pass on.
Step six: check its condition
Take a good look at the phone. Check the screen for cracks, the casing for dents and the buttons for sticking. Charge it fully, then see how long it lasts. Test the camera, speakers and microphone.
Take clear photographs of each side. If something is damaged, note it down. Being honest about condition avoids disappointment later.
Step seven: decide where it’s going
Now for the real decision. You’ve got a few options.
You could keep it as a backup, but only if you’ll actually use it. A phone that’s never charged becomes unreliable fast.
You could pass it to a family member or friend. That’s a lovely thing to do, and it keeps the phone in use.
You could move it on. It’s worth comparing a few routes before settling on one, and checking that the handset’s condition matches what you’re told it’s worth.
Or you could recycle it if it’s past its best. Councils and many shops accept old phones, and it’s the right choice for any handset that’s cracked beyond use.
Step eight: protect yourself
If you’re passing a phone to anyone you don’t know, be careful. Never share your passcode, never keep any accounts signed in and don’t agree to anything that feels rushed or pressured.
Note down the phone’s IMEI number, which you can find by dialling *#06#. Keep it somewhere safe, along with any receipts or confirmation emails. If a problem arises, you’ll be glad to have the information.
Step nine: tidy up the extras
Old cases, chargers and cables take up room. Test each one, keep what you’ll use and recycle the rest. A single drawer with a few labelled cables is much easier to live with than a tangle.
Step ten: set yourself a reminder
The easiest way to avoid a drawer of old phones is to deal with each one when it arrives. Next time you upgrade, put a note in your calendar for the following week. When it pops up, work through this list.
A job well done
It might seem like a lot, but once you’ve done it once, you’ll find the whole process takes less than an hour. You’ll have protected your data, cleared a bit of space and made a sensible decision about a device that’s still got plenty of life.
And when you open that drawer next time, there’ll be nothing there to deal with.
