Your current phone just isn’t cutting it anymore and it’s time for a change. Whether it’s because of technical shortcomings such as insufficient storage or lack of features, or personal preference, trading in your smartphone is a great way to earn extra money toward the latest and greatest model.
But are you doing everything you can to protect your privacy and maximize your return? Follow these three simple steps to prepare your phone for a trade-in and protect your personal data.
1) Back up your device
Everything is on our phones: photos, notes, music, passwords, and contact information. If it’s something you can’t imagine losing, it should be backed up. How? The choice is up to you.
There are many options out there to back up an iPhone or Android device. Some prefer third-party apps and some prefer online services such as iCloud and Google—you may already have your device set up to sync automatically, but you can never be too careful. If you own an Android smartphone, you may prefer exporting your data to an SD card. It goes without saying, but if you have external storage for your device, remove and/or uninstall it and place it somewhere safe for upload later.
2) Log out of all online services and clear app data
Apps and online services, such as Gmail and Facebook, are loaded with files and personal information that you don’t want falling into the wrong hands. To prevent this, log out of each app and clear the data from your phone.
On an iOS device, you can manually delete app data using General > Settings > Manage Storage. On an Android device, the location varies per model, but app data management functions are usually found in the top level of the Settings menu.
If your smartphone is paired to a wearable, disconnect the wearable and delete the app data.
3) Clean the device as best you can
With most trade-in programs, product condition is a key factor to determining price. Anything for sale should be as presentable as possible, and the same goes for trading in your smartphone. If it has a case, take it off and look for smudges on the screen and dirt buildup around the edges. Also check the charging and headphone port; lint from your pockets or dust may have collected in there.
Finally, take a damp cloth and carefully wipe down the screen as best you can to remove fingerprints, oil and dirt.
Now, you’re ready to trade in your phone and find out what it’s worth. Select the model, manufacturer, color, carrier, and storage that matches your device and receive an initial offer instantly. If it looks good, we’ll send you prepaid shipping materials to mail in your device for our 30-point inspection, and you’re on your way to cashing out and trading up.