Hello guys. So, I have a iPhone 4s that i'm going to sell and I'd like to erase all data off my iphone permanently. What can I do to make sure no data can be retrieved afterwards?
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How to permanently erase all data off iPhone 4s
- Thread starter Merzhelnoureb
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I'm afraid you have to physically destroy the device in order to be absolutely sure that your data can't be recovered afterwards.
I sold my 4s in March and just did a full restore, setting up as a new phone. "Erase all content and settings" should work just as well. If you power off the phone when it first boots up with the "Slide to set up iPhone" screen, then the buyer will see that same screen when they power on, just like they would a new phone out of the box!
It's the little things...
It's the little things...
If you concern is basic privacy before selling it, the delete is fully adequate. If your concern is a forensic team extracting your data, then yeah, destroy it.... Then reconsider your life decisions lol.
He's being extremely literal. Though technically, even certain types of physical destruction wouldn't guarantee data destruction, either. Incineration, maybe.
But for most intents and purposes, doing a wipe will be good enough.
Erasing all content and settings is sufficient. The information on your phone is encrypted, erasing all content and settings removes the encryption keys such that the information is useless without these keys.
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Put it in the Microwave for a few minutes and even the forensic people will never get a single byte. Just a second will kill it from ever working. Might want to put it on a plate as it is going to get very hot!
Are you absolutely sure this works?
Without a doubt. Will destroy not erase. Kinda like a nuclear magnetic pulse on a smaller scale but just as effective. Be warned as the phone will catch fire, likely the battery, if "cooked" long enough.
