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Phone recycling

  • August 27, 2025
  • 2 replies
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I have loads of old phones.  I want to give them to Oxfam - they make money by recycling them.  But is this safe?

I know I can download things to completely wipe everything from memory.  But some of them don't even switch on so that's not possible.

If I just drop them in water, will that mean they're completely useless to anyone who wants to retrieve my data?

Best answer by WelshPaul

No. If you want to ensure that no one gains access to data on a device that no longer turns on, physically destroying the device is the only real way.

    2 replies

    WelshPaul
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    • WelshPaul
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    • Answer
    • August 28, 2025

    No. If you want to ensure that no one gains access to data on a device that no longer turns on, physically destroying the device is the only real way.

    I have no affiliation whatsoever with iD Mobile or any subsidiary companies. Comments posted are entirely of my own opinion. Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.
      Tyler C
      iD Mobile Employee
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      • Tyler C
      • iD Mobile Employee
      • September 1, 2025

      Hi there ​@darcmarc, we hope that ​@WelshPaul was able to help.

       

      Thanks,

      Tyler

      Did my comment help answer your question? If so, don't forget to mark the response as the Most Helpful Answer.

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