Last week, I unpacked my home office and found a curious discovery. I opened a medium-sized box expecting keyboards or my lost Cricut machine and got smart devices instead. I uncovered a Samsung Galaxy S7, four iPhones, three Kindles, one Kindle Fire, and two iPads.
When I move, I put my old tech in a box and forget about it. I’d like to break the pattern and simplify my gadgets by trading in my devices, but I need to back up my personal data and wipe all my private information before doing so. I don’t want to trade in my devices at my mobile carrier’s store. Buying a new phone and storing the old one is easy.
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Lost money (or in a Box)
Old tech isn’t unique. A new study from MCE finds that American families have four or more damaged or outmoded mobile devices in drawers. Consumers can get cash or a discount on a new item by trading in unused electronics.
42% of 3,000 US study respondents had never traded in a mobile device, and 58% thought the process was slow or frustrating. More than a third of respondents who had never traded in a gadget stated data backup and privacy worries stopped them.
How to improve mobile device trade-ins
The MCE survey demonstrates that customers seek simplicity, pricing transparency, quickness, and privacy in buying and trading mobile devices. Over 40% of respondents indicated knowing their old phones data was wiped would increase their likelihood to trade it in.
MCE suggested ways to improve mobile device trade-ins.
App-based trade-ins are possible for sellers. Smart IT businesses might design an app that walks consumers through securely transferring data, producing a shipping label, and choosing a new gadget from the carrier.
Trade-in prices should be guaranteed. 62% of US consumers surveyed felt they won’t obtain a fair price when trading in their mobile device, and roughly a third reported receiving various price bids at different phases. Guarantee the initial cash or credit offer for a device to build consumer trust when trading in old tech.
Speed matters. Over 40% of respondents claimed their mobile device trade-in took over 30 minutes. Reducing the number of procedures to trade in gadgets could speed up the process and encourage more people to recycle old phones and tablets.
Trade-ins must be safe. More than a third of respondents who didn’t trade-in were worried about their privacy. Mobile device sellers should offer online recycling tips.
Mobile device security before trade-in
Before selling or trading in your Android or iPhone, delete its info. Here are three measures to safely dispose of your old smart devices until mobile carriers streamline the procedure.
Backup device-local data. PCMag has guides for iOS and Android devices.
Remove the device from related accounts and disable tracking apps. Disable Apple’s Find My and Google Activation Locks on your smartphone. Manage Amazon smart devices online. Removing an old phones or tablet from your account prohibits new owners from accessing your name, birth date, and address.
After backing up to a computer or the cloud, delete the mobile device. iOS: Settings>General>Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad. Once you’ve backed up your data, delete your content and settings. Reset is in Android’s Settings menu.
I recommend starting the trade-in procedure online. Most major mobile carriers offer online device trade-in support by phone or live chat. You can’t complete a trade-in from home, but you can enter your information to avoid a long wait.
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