Are you planning to sell your Galaxy S7 and upgrade to a newer model? Before you hand over your device to its new owner, it’s essential to wipe it clean of all your personal data, settings, and accounts. This not only protects your privacy but also ensures that the new owner can start fresh with their own settings and preferences. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of wiping your Galaxy S7 before selling it, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your device is clean and secure.
Why Wipe Your Galaxy S7 Before Selling It?
Before we dive into the process of wiping your Galaxy S7, let’s take a look at why it’s so important. When you sell your device, you’re not just selling the hardware – you’re also selling all the data, settings, and accounts that are stored on it. This can include:
- Personal photos and videos
- Contacts and phone numbers
- Email accounts and passwords
- Social media accounts and login credentials
- Banking and financial information
- Location data and browsing history
If you don’t wipe your device clean before selling it, you risk exposing all this sensitive information to the new owner. This can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and other serious consequences. By wiping your device, you can ensure that all your personal data is erased, and the new owner can start fresh with their own settings and preferences.
Preparing Your Galaxy S7 For Wipe
Before you start the wiping process, there are a few things you need to do to prepare your Galaxy S7:
Backup Your Data
If you want to keep any of the data on your device, such as photos, contacts, or apps, you’ll need to backup your data before wiping your device. You can use the built-in backup feature on your Galaxy S7, or you can use a third-party backup app. Make sure to backup your data to a secure location, such as a cloud storage service or an external hard drive.
Remove Your SIM Card And SD Card
Before you wipe your device, make sure to remove your SIM card and SD card. This will prevent any data from being erased from these cards, and you can use them in your new device.
Disable Factory Reset Protection
If you have Factory Reset Protection (FRP) enabled on your device, you’ll need to disable it before you can wipe your device. FRP is a security feature that prevents unauthorized factory resets on your device. To disable FRP, go to Settings > Accounts > Google, and then toggle off the switch next to “Factory Reset Protection.”
Wiping Your Galaxy S7
Now that you’ve prepared your device, it’s time to start the wiping process. There are two ways to wipe your Galaxy S7: using the Settings app, or using the Recovery mode.
Method 1: Wiping Your Device Using The Settings App
To wipe your device using the Settings app, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > Backup & reset.
- Tap on “Factory data reset.”
- Tap on “Reset device.”
- Enter your PIN or password to confirm.
- Tap on “Continue.”
- Wait for the wiping process to complete. This may take a few minutes.
Method 2: Wiping Your Device Using Recovery Mode
To wipe your device using Recovery mode, follow these steps:
- Press and hold the Power button, the Volume down button, and the Home button at the same time.
- Release the Power button when the Samsung logo appears, but keep holding the Volume down button and the Home button.
- Use the Volume down button to navigate to the “Wipe data/factory reset” option.
- Press the Power button to select this option.
- Use the Volume down button to navigate to the “Yes” option.
- Press the Power button to select this option.
- Wait for the wiping process to complete. This may take a few minutes.
Verifying The Wipe
Once the wiping process is complete, you’ll need to verify that all your data has been erased. To do this, follow these steps:
- Turn on your device.
- Go to Settings > Storage.
- Check that the internal storage is empty.
- Go to Settings > Accounts.
- Check that all accounts have been removed.
If you’ve followed the steps above, your device should now be completely wiped clean of all your personal data, settings, and accounts.
Additional Tips
Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind when wiping your Galaxy S7:
- Make sure to remove any screen locks or passwords before wiping your device.
- If you have any encrypted data on your device, you’ll need to decrypt it before wiping your device.
- If you’re selling your device to a carrier or manufacturer, you may need to provide proof of wipe. Make sure to keep a record of the wiping process, including the date and time of the wipe.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your Galaxy S7 is completely wiped clean of all your personal data, settings, and accounts before selling it. This will protect your privacy and give the new owner a clean slate to start with.
What Is The Importance Of Erasing My Digital Footprint Before Selling My Galaxy S7?
Erasing your digital footprint before selling your Galaxy S7 is crucial to protect your personal data and maintain your online security. When you sell your device, you are essentially handing over a treasure trove of sensitive information, including your contacts, emails, photos, and browsing history. If this data falls into the wrong hands, it can be used for malicious purposes, such as identity theft or cyberstalking.
By wiping your device clean, you can ensure that your personal data is completely erased, and the new owner of the device will not be able to access any of your sensitive information. This is especially important if you have used your device for online banking, shopping, or other activities that require sensitive information.
What Data Will Be Erased When I Wipe My Galaxy S7?
When you wipe your Galaxy S7, all data stored on the device will be erased, including your contacts, emails, photos, videos, music, and apps. Additionally, any data stored on the device’s internal storage, such as documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, will also be deleted. Furthermore, any data stored on external storage devices, such as SD cards, will also be erased.
It’s worth noting that wiping your device will also reset all settings to their default values, including Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth connections, and other preferences. This means that you will need to set up your device again from scratch if you plan to use it after wiping it.
Will Wiping My Galaxy S7 Also Erase Data Stored On My SD Card?
Yes, wiping your Galaxy S7 will also erase data stored on your SD card. When you perform a factory reset, the device will format the SD card, deleting all data stored on it. This includes photos, videos, music, and other files that you may have stored on the SD card.
If you want to keep the data stored on your SD card, you should remove it from the device before wiping it. You can then insert the SD card into a different device, such as a computer or another phone, to access the data.
Can I Recover Data From My Galaxy S7 After Wiping It?
It is highly unlikely that you will be able to recover data from your Galaxy S7 after wiping it. When you perform a factory reset, the device will overwrite all data stored on it, making it impossible to recover. Additionally, the device will also format the internal storage, deleting all data stored on it.
However, if you have backed up your data to a cloud storage service, such as Google Drive or Samsung Cloud, you may be able to recover some of your data. You can log in to your cloud storage account and download the backed-up data to a different device.
How Do I Back Up My Data Before Wiping My Galaxy S7?
You can back up your data before wiping your Galaxy S7 by using a cloud storage service, such as Google Drive or Samsung Cloud. You can also use a third-party backup app, such as SMS Backup & Restore or Call Log Backup & Restore. Additionally, you can also back up your data to a computer by connecting your device to it using a USB cable.
To back up your data to a cloud storage service, you will need to log in to your account and select the data that you want to back up. You can then choose to back up your data automatically or manually. You can also set up automatic backups to ensure that your data is backed up regularly.
What Are The Steps To Wipe My Galaxy S7?
To wipe your Galaxy S7, you will need to go to the Settings app and select “Backup & reset.” From there, you can select “Factory data reset” and follow the prompts to complete the process. You will need to enter your device’s PIN or password to confirm the reset.
Alternatively, you can also wipe your device by booting it into recovery mode. To do this, you will need to press and hold the Volume down and Power buttons simultaneously until the device boots into recovery mode. From there, you can select “Wipe data/factory reset” and follow the prompts to complete the process.
What Should I Do After Wiping My Galaxy S7?
After wiping your Galaxy S7, you should remove the SIM card and SD card from the device. You should also remove any accessories, such as cases or screen protectors, from the device. Additionally, you should also reset the device’s settings to their default values by going to the Settings app and selecting “Reset settings.”
You should also ensure that the device is in good working condition before selling it. You can test the device’s features, such as the camera and Wi-Fi, to ensure that they are working properly. You should also clean the device thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.