How to Check That a Factory Reset Worked

What you should see

• The welcome or Hello screen.
• Language and region selection.
• No personal wallpaper, messages or apps.
• No physical SIM or memory card left in the device.

Check activation protection

For a legitimate sale, start setup only far enough to confirm the phone does not demand the previous owner’s account because Find My or Factory Reset Protection was left active. Then return to the welcome screen. Do not enter the buyer’s information yourself.

Check outside the phone

• Remove the device from appropriate trusted-device and payment lists.
• Keep the IMEI and proof of sale.
• Confirm the replacement phone has the data and mobile number.
• Check that the old line or contract was handled separately.

If personal content remains

Do not hand over the phone. Repeat the official erase process or obtain support. Manual deletion of visible files is not equivalent to a factory reset.

Test the phone as the next owner would see it

A blank home screen is not enough. The device should start at the initial setup assistant without requesting the previous owner’s account.

• Restart the phone and follow setup only far enough to detect Activation Lock or Factory Reset Protection.
• Confirm that no personal photos, notifications or paired accessories remain.
• Stop before creating a new account if the device is being sold or recycled.