When you plan to sell your old smartphone, getting a good price is important, but your personal data safety is even more important. Many people believe that deleting files or performing a factory reset will erase all data from the smartphone. But some data might remain on the phone if you don’t handle it right. This leads to a very common question: Can buyback companies regain deleted data from smartphones? So to keep yourself safe, you need to erase your data properly before selling your phone. In this article, we will see the truth behind the question and the solution on how to protect your phone’s data before selling.
Also Read: 3 Devices That Gain Value After Being Discontinued
What Happens When You Delete Data From Your Phone?
When you delete images, messages, or apps from your phone, they don’t necessarily disappear immediately. The phone only indicates that the space is now available for new data. But until then, the deleted data might still be running in the background, so deleting files isn’t always sufficient.
A factory reset can delete data by removing access and settings, but it’s not foolproof. If the reset is done too quickly or if your Google or Apple account is still linked, tiny pieces of data can remain. This is why protecting your data before selling becomes very important.
Also Read: Vostro 3000 Series vs Vostro 5000 Series: Buyback Comparison
Can Resale Companies Recover Deleted Data?
Most reputable buyback companies are not trying to steal your personal data. Their purpose is to see if the phone is in working order and what it’s worth. However, technically speaking, if a phone hasn’t been reset or is still connected to an account, some data can remain on the phone. With the right software, this data can sometimes be recovered, which is why it’s always best to protect your data before selling your phone.
Also Read: iPhone 17 vs 16 Pro Max vs 17 Pro: Resale Value Comparison
Why Data Protection Before Selling Matters
Data protection is always better than a privacy issue; it also ensures a hassle-free resale. An unprotected phone can reveal personal pictures or emails, and connected accounts can lock the phone for the buyer. This may lead to a sale delay, rejection, or a reduced resale value, making steps to protect data before selling a phone.
Also Read: 5 Phones That Sell Faster Than iPhones In 2025
How to Protect Data Before Selling Your Phone
So now you know how much it’s important protect your phone’s data before selling, let’s go through the steps behind that.
Back Up Your Personal Data
Before you factory reset your phone, save your pictures, contacts, and documents to cloud storage or another device to ensure no valuable data is lost.
Log Out of All Accounts
Make sure to log out of your Google account, Apple ID, email, and other applications. This will help avoid account locks for the next owner.
Remove Screen Locks and Biometric Locks
Disable your phone’s PIN, password, fingerprint lock, and facial recognition lock to enable a fresh reset.
Do a Complete Factory Reset
Use the factory reset feature on your phone’s Settings menu. Never use third-party apps for this, as they may not completely remove your data.
Remove SIM and Memory Cards
Always remove your SIM card and SD card before selling your phone.
Also Read: How to Wipe Your Pixel Phone Data Before Selling Easily
Where To Sell Your Phone For Highest Buyback
After this guide on how to protect your data before selling, you might be wondering where to get a good price. Don’t worry, we have got you covered. Here is the most trusted resale platform of Cashify India, which not only provides you with high quotes but also the following services:
- Quick and safe selling
- Smart AI for pricing
- Free device pickup
- Doorstep pickup available in 1500+ cities
Process Of Selling
To sell your phone safely and get high resale value here are the steps you should follow.
1. Visit the official website of Cashify or download the app to get started.
2. Next, select the Sell Old Phone section.
3. Now, choose the brand of your device and then the actual model.
4. After that, select the variant and click on “Get Exact Value” to get an estimated resale value.
5. Next, answer some questions related to your phone’s condition.
As a next step, fill up your name, address, phone, pickup date, and time.
6. Finally, a Cashify representative will come to your doorstep and pick up your device. Once your device is picked up successfully amount will be credited to you instantly.
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