October 28, 2026
Technology experts warn against the widespread belief that resetting the phone to its factory settings is a sufficient step to completely delete all personal data before selling it, stressing that the actual security level remains linked to the type of device, the encryption mechanism used, and the method of erasing the data.
In modern devices, the reset process usually deletes the encryption keys responsible for accessing stored data, making it extremely difficult to recover using traditional methods. However, risks still exist on old or unencrypted devices, in addition to data that may remain stored on external memory cards or cloud accounts.
To ensure complete privacy protection, the reset process alone does not provide sufficient security, as it is recommended to take additional steps that include: removing the SIM card and memory card (MicroSD), completely logging out of all accounts associated with the device, and unlinking it from location tracking services such as “Find My Device”, before proceeding to erase its contents.
In conclusion, experts recommend that it be necessary to verify that the reset process has been completed successfully and that the initial setup screen for the device appears, in order to completely block any possible attempt by the new owner to access the data or services of the previous user.
