For households and individuals

Data security

Your old device may remember more than you do.

This page offers practical guidance for households and individuals preparing personal devices for recycling. If your business or organization needs documented data erasure, physical media destruction, chain of custody, or certificates of destruction, use our Secure Data Destruction service.

Before the device leaves your hands, take a minute to protect what’s on it.

A factory reset can sound intimidating, but most devices walk you through it step by step. Use the links below to find instructions for your device. If you’d rather have us handle the data, tell us what concerns you when you schedule a pickup or bring the device in.

A factory reset erases the data on your device, so back up anything you want to keep first. These links are provided for convenience. Device menus and instructions can change, so confirm the steps with the manufacturer before continuing.

Apple

iPhones & iPads

Using a version of iOS

support.apple.com

Windows

Phones & Tablets

Using a version of Windows Mobile

learn.microsoft.com

Android

Phones & Tablets

Using a version of Android OS

support.google.com

Apple

Laptops & Desktops

Using a version of MacOS

support.apple.com

Windows

Laptops & Desktops

Using a version of Windows

support.microsoft.com

ChromeOS

Chromebooks

Using ChromeOS

support.google.com

Samsung

Smart TV

Using a version of Tizen OS

support.samsung.com

LG

Smart TV

Using a version of WebOS

support.lg.com

Roku

Smart TV

Using a version of Roku TV

support.roku.com

Android TV

Smart TV

Using a version of Android TV

sony.com

Google TV

Smart TV

Using Google TV

support.google.com

Chromecast

Smart TV

Using a version of Chromecast

support.google.com