How to Dispose of Old Cell Phones Safely and Protect Your Data

To dispose of an old cell phone safely, back up your data, sign out of your accounts, remove the SIM and memory cards, erase the phone with a factory reset, and then recycle it. If the phone held sensitive business data, or if it is broken and cannot be reset, physical destruction is the safest choice.

Step-by-Step: Getting Rid of an Old Phone

1. Back up your photos, contacts, and files to your new phone or cloud storage.
2. Sign out of your accounts. Turn off activation lock and sign out of your Apple or Google account so the next user cannot be locked out and your account stays protected.
3. Remove the SIM card and any memory card. These can hold contacts and photos. Cut them up or shred them.
4. Factory reset the phone. Modern phones encrypt data, and a reset removes the key, which makes most data unreadable.
5. Recycle or destroy it. Trade it in, donate it, or send it to a certified e-waste recycler. If it cannot be reset, have it shredded.

When to Destroy a Phone Instead of Recycling It

• The phone is broken and cannot be reset.
• It was a company phone with client, patient, or financial information.
• Your industry requires proof of destruction for audits.
• You have a box of old devices and no record of what is on them.

Marshall Shredding physically shreds phones, tablets, SIM cards, and memory cards along with hard drives and other media. You receive a Certificate of Destruction listing what was destroyed. See our hard drive and device destruction service.

Do Not Put Phones in the Trash

Phone batteries can start fires in garbage trucks and landfills, and phones contain metals that should be recovered. Recycle the device, or have it destroyed by a company that recycles the shredded material. Read our guide to e-waste disposal in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do before getting rid of my old phone?

Back up your data, sign out of your accounts, turn off activation lock, remove the SIM and memory cards, and do a factory reset.

Does a factory reset delete everything on a phone?

On modern encrypted phones, a factory reset makes most data unreadable. Broken phones that cannot be reset should be physically destroyed.

Can I throw an old cell phone in the trash?

No. Lithium batteries can cause fires, and phones should be recycled or destroyed by an e-waste provider.

How do businesses dispose of old company phones?

Collect them in a locked container, keep a list of devices, and use a certified destruction company that provides a Certificate of Destruction.

Does Marshall Shredding destroy cell phones?

Yes. We shred phones, tablets, SIM cards, and memory cards. Call (866) 487-4733.

Get Secure Shredding From Marshall Shredding

Marshall Shredding has protected Texas businesses and homeowners for more than 25 years. Call (866) 487-4733 or request a free quote. Every service includes a Certificate of Destruction.