How do I permanently delete files from my Android before selling?

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You'll be asked to confirm, and it may take a few minutes to complete the process. Start by backing up your Android phone, then remove any MicroSD cards and your SIM card.
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How do you permanently erase data so that it Cannot be recovered Android?

Go to Settings > Security > Advanced and tap Encryption & credentials. Select Encrypt phone if the option isn't already enabled. Next, go to Settings > System > Advanced and tap Reset options. Select Erase all data (factory reset), and press Delete all data.
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How do I make sure my data is deleted before selling?

There are, however, a few ways to ensure your data is really erased forever.
  1. Encrypt your phone. Encrypting your Android device is the strongest way to prevent its data from being recovered. ...
  2. Overwrite it with throwaway data. ...
  3. Repeat.
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Does factory reset remove all data permanently?

Perform factory reset

Finally, you are ready to perform a factory reset. When you do a factory reset on your Android device, it erases all the data on your device, and returns the phone back to its original out-of-the-box state as it was from the factory.
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How do I make sure all my Android data is erased?

Go to Settings > Backup & reset. Tap Factory data reset. On the next screen, tick the box marked Erase phone data. You can also choose to remove data from the memory card on some phones - so be careful what button you tap on.
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How To Wipe



Can data be deleted permanently?

How to permanently delete data. Formatting a hard drive and wiping it clean are not the same things. Formatted hard drives will still contain retrievable data. If you wish to permanently delete files, you will need to overwrite the data with special software.
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Is it safe to sell phone after factory reset?

PSA: Factory Resets Don't Make Your Android Phone Safe to Sell.
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Should I factory reset phone before trading in?

Before you trade in your old phone, it's important to properly wipe the data clean. A factory reset will work, so long as you encrypt the phone first. For Android users, if you existing phone runs Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or newer, your data will already be encrypted by default. So, you're good.
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How do I completely wipe my phone?

Press the Menu button and tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Privacy. Tap Factory Data Reset. Check Erase Internal Storage to erase all the data on the phone's internal storage.
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How do I delete all information from my old phone?

Android
  1. Some models will want you to go into "Settings" and encrypt the data.
  2. Then you want to do a factory reset by going into "Settings"
  3. Click “Backup and reset”
  4. Scroll all the way down and click “Factory data reset”
  5. Click “Reset device”
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Is anything ever really deleted from your phone?

In truth, when you delete something from your phone, it doesn't vanish instantly. The flash memory in mobile devices doesn't delete files until it needs to open up space for something new. It merely "deindexes" it, essentially forgetting where it is. It's still stored, but the phone doesn't know where or what it is.
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How do you securely delete files on Android?

The app that lets you permanently erase deleted files is called Secure Eraser, and it's available for free on the Google Play Store. To begin, search the app by name and get it installed, or head directly to the install page at the following link: Install Secure Eraser for free from the Google Play Store.
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Where does deleted files go in Android?

If you're an Android user of Samsung phone, you get a chance to retrieve your deleted videos and photos from the Recycle Bin in Gallery App. The Recycle Bin is located within the Gallery feature, and you can undelete videos and photos deleted within 30 days in the Recently Deleted folder.
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How do I prepare my Android for trade in?

What to do before trading your Android
  1. Delete any saved passwords from your browsers and apps. ...
  2. Remove your SIM card and any external storage.
  3. Log out of your Google accounts. ...
  4. Remove any payment cards associated with your phone. ...
  5. Deactivate factory reset protection.
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How do I prepare my phone for trade in?

4 Reset your old phone
  1. 4.1 Go to SettingsStep 4.1 Go to Settings.
  2. 4.2 Tap GeneralStep 4.2 Tap General.
  3. 4.3 Scroll and tap ResetStep 4.3 Scroll and tap Reset.
  4. 4.4 Tap Erase All Content and SettingsStep 4.4 Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
  5. 4.5 Tap Erase NowStep 4.5 Tap Erase Now.
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Is it safe to sell your old phone?

You can get a lot more money by selling your old phone yourself, which can go toward paying off your new phone. However, selling your old phone can be risky if you're not careful. There are personal photos, contact information, and an array of personal apps on your device that you don't want someone else to access.
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Should I remove my SIM card before selling my phone?

Remove the SIM card.

The SIM card -- which gives your phone its number and identity on the network -- can also store data like contacts and call logs. The buyer has no need for your SIM card, so you should keep this as well.
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What should I do before selling my Android phone?

7 Things to Do Before Selling Your Old Android Phone
  1. Back Up All Your Data. ...
  2. Remove All Accounts, Paired Devices, and Screen Lock. ...
  3. Remove Your SIM Card and MicroSD Card. ...
  4. Perform a Factory Reset. ...
  5. Clean Your Phone's Body. ...
  6. Gather All Your Original Accessories. ...
  7. Do Some Market Research.
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How do I completely format my Android phone?

How to perform Factory Reset on Android smartphone?
  1. Tap Apps.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap Backup and reset.
  4. Tap Factory data reset.
  5. Tap Reset Device.
  6. Tap Erase Everything.
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Can someone recover my data after I sell my phone?

If your device is encrypted before performing a factory reset, any leftover data on the device will appear as a jumbled mess to anyone who tries to recover it, and your personal information will remain secret and safe.
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Can a phone be tracked after factory reset?

You'll see the location of the device on a map. Unlike Apple's solution, Android Device Manager will be wiped after a factory reset — a thief can reset your device and you won't be able to track it down.
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How do I encrypt my phone before selling it?

To be extra careful, you can encrypt the phone before resetting it:
  1. Go to Settings > Security > Encryption & credentials and select Encrypt phone.
  2. Go back to your settings and start the reset process.
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How do you permanently delete files so they Cannot be recovered?

Right-click on the Recycle Bin and choose "Properties". Select the drive for which you want to delete the data permanently. Check the option "Don't move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted." Then, click "Apply" and "OK" to save the settings.
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Can hackers recover deleted photos on Android?

Yes he can, there are always some file or something from the deleted files.
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How do I permanently delete deleted files?

Click Delete in the File Explorer Ribbon at the top of the window, or click the arrow underneath the Delete option and select Permanently delete. Clicking Delete sends the file to the Recycle Bin, while selecting the Permanently delete option deletes the file for good.
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