Prepare an old phone for sale or recycling

Use this guide before passing on any phone or tablet, whether it is working or not. Have your new device set up first if you have one, plus your account passwords and a charger for the old phone.

Step by step

1. Back up everything you need

   Run a full backup to your cloud account or computer and check photos, messages, contacts and chat app history have copied across. Many chat apps have their own separate backup setting, so check each one. Write down anything stored only on the phone, such as authenticator app accounts.