3 Questions to Ask Before You Sell or Donate Your Smartphone

When you get a new phone, you have to decide what to do with your old device. It doesn’t quite make sense to keep it around, and it’s unclear how much it would get if you listed it on eBay. There’s also the option to donate it. But there’s more to consider when deciding what to do with your old device. Here are a few of the factors that you should consider before donating or selling your device.

Are You Sure the Device Is Wiped?
The most important factor to consider before parting with your phone is whether your information will be at risk should you hand it over. As mobile apps start to store more personal information, and as banking moves to cell phones, it can be dangerous to hand off your phone without wiping your information. Many phone sellers often fail to fully wipe their devices, and can leave their information available to the next owner.

What Is It Worth?
Another factor to consider is how much you think your phone will sell for. Is it a newer model, and is there a lot of demand for it? Research on eBay and other sites what your phone might fetch based on it’s value, age, and appearance. If your phone has a lot of scratches or cracks, or if it has been dropped one too many times, it may not be worth trying to sell it.

Where to Donate Your Phone
If you decide to donate your phone, take the time to find a charity that you can trust, and one you are passionate about donating your phone to. There are plenty of great charities that give phones to people in need. If you do decide to donate it, make sure that your phone has been completely wiped, because while its new owner may not try to steal it, their online security practices may leave it vulnerable to hackers.

If you’re looking to get rid of your device, and if you have asked the above questions, you should be good to go. But, as always, you can never be too cautious. Make sure your information won’t be compromised by encrypting the data before you wipe it.

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