How do I get rid of old smartphones and cards

[Eric Stork]

I am looking at this since transferring to a new one and curious if I need to do anything similar to getting rid of a computer.

With computers, I normally delete software I installed, files I created (after transferring) and reinstall factory default configurations to make sure as much info and other stuff I added is gone.

Is there anything special I have to do with a smartphone? I already deleted apps I added, I am also wondering about personal data.
It also has a SIM card that is supposed to be no longer useful (as I understand it) and a microSD card for additional storage though I barely used it.
What about batteries? The smartphone does not have an easy way to remove it but I found an earlier cellphone I had with removable battery that I also need to dispose of.

Does all this stuff go in the same electronics recycling?

 

[punkncat]

Do a factory reset, remove the sim and (typically) break it in half, remove and keep the storage. Put the unit into one of the recycling/donation bins or sell it cheap on whatever local venue works for you.

 

[hotaru.hino]

The most you should do to turn in a phone for recycling is remove the SIM card and SD card. You can keep them if you want, or destroy the SIM card. Otherwise, you can turn in the phone as-is assuming it's in usable shape.

 

[hang-the-9]

I am looking at this since transferring to a new one and curious if I need to do anything similar to getting rid of a computer.

With computers, I normally delete software I installed, files I created (after transferring) and reinstall factory default configurations to make sure as much info and other stuff I added is gone.

Is there anything special I have to do with a smartphone? I already deleted apps I added, I am also wondering about personal data.
It also has a SIM card that is supposed to be no longer useful (as I understand it) and a microSD card for additional storage though I barely used it.
What about batteries? The smartphone does not have an easy way to remove it but I found an earlier cellphone I had with removable battery that I also need to dispose of.

Does all this stuff go in the same electronics recycling?

You are doing a very useless task with deleting software and files and then doing a factory restore, the factory restore wipes the computer. You are doing a lot of extra work for nothing.

 

[Eric Stork]

When it comes to the home router, is there anything I should do in the router software to erase the device ID of the old device?

You are doing a very useless task with deleting software and files and then doing a factory restore, the factory restore wipes the computer. You are doing a lot of extra work for nothing.

I disagree.
Once I transfer all I need from one computer to another, I wipe all the data including personal stuff this way so there is less to no chance of theft. Probably low chance of happening but still would rather minimize the risk.

 

[Math Geek]

i do a factory reset first, then run a free space wiper to clear out anything left behind.

simply deleting, just like on a pc, does not remove the data but only references to it. recovery software will still see anything left on the drive.

after clear space is wiped, then donate it in one of those bins you can fins many places with no worries.

 

[hang-the-9]

When it comes to the home router, is there anything I should do in the router software to erase the device ID of the old device?


I disagree.
Once I transfer all I need from one computer to another, I wipe all the data including personal stuff this way so there is less to no chance of theft. Probably low chance of happening but still would rather minimize the risk.

Wiping as in doing a secure erase is one thing, but simply deleting and uninstalling the programs won't do much if you are doing a factory restore since that over-writes files pretty well, there is no need to simply delete things prior to doing a factory restore. If you are simply getting rid of the computer without reselling it or having it ready for someone else, take out the drive and smash it a few times with a hammer, instant unrecoverable chunks of a data wipe.