There is a big market for people who want to recycle or sell their cell phones once their subscriptions expire, but a drawback is that personal information, like strings of text messages, voice messages, photos, and videos, remains on the phones, which jeopardizes privacy. Removing the memory card isn't enough, because information still remains stored in the phone. You'll have to take additional steps to completely clear the device's memory, so that there is no trace of a person ever owning it.
Instructions
1. Start your Web browser and navigate to WirelessRecycling's "Free Data Eraser" page (Link available in the "References" section). WirelessRecycling is in the business of erasing cell phone memories, so that the users can either sell or donate them.
2. Once at WirelessRecycling's web page, enter your cell phone's manufacturer and model in the allotted fields and click on "Download Instructions." You will be directed to a page where there is a form you'll need to fill out so that a PDF file containing instructions to erase your cell phone's memory can be sent to your email address.
3. Enter your information on the form and click on "Submit," and the PDF will be sent to your email address.
4. Navigate to your email account and open the PDF file. To download it, Adobe Reader will have to be installed on your computer. If you don't have Adobe Reader, you'll be prompted to download and install it as soon as you attempt to open the PDF file.
5. Follow the instructions provided in the PDF file to erase your cell phone's memory. Different cell phones will have different instructions, but as long as the model is in WirelessRecycling's database, instructions will be provided. If you follow the instructions correctly, the data will be removed.
Tags: cell phone, your cell, your cell phone, your email, Adobe Reader, cell phone memory