Removing the sim card removes the data?

[kmo19]

I have a water-damaged 4S that I want to sell, but I want to make sure my data is not recoverable. Simply removing the sim card doesn't do it right? What exactly do I need to remove from the phone to make sure data recovery is not possible?

Two guys at the Apple store said to just remove the sim card, but I am skeptical about that.

 

[dontwalkhand]

On a "dumb phone" he is mostly right. On a smartphone on the other hand, it doesn't remove anything. Smartphones do not store data to the SIM card, it only utilizes the SIM card to connect to the cellular network.

 

[Gjwilly]

Removing the SIM erases nothing.
If the phone still works just go to Settings -- General -- Reset -- Erase all content and settings.
Do that after removing the SIM.

 

[dontwalkhand]

I also should add that if the touchscreen is not usable, but iTunes is, Restore the phone using iTunes for the best bet.

 

[kmo19]

Thanks, that's what I thought.

But the phone is dead. Water-damaged. Therefore I can't delete anything. I need to physically remove something, but I don't know what...

 

[CheesyTators]

Thanks, that's what I thought.

But the phone is dead. Water-damaged. Therefore I can't delete anything. I need to physically remove something, but I don't know what...

That's a good question. If the buyer has the parts and plans to get it "working" again would he/she have access to your information? I would think that if he/she left the original flash memory module in the phone, your info would be accessible. Not sure, but I would also like to know the answer to this one.

 

[Gjwilly]

If you're selling it to any kind of reputable reseller or service outfit all they're going to want to do is strip it for parts for a new phone.
Yes they'll have access to your flash ram but all they're going to do with it is install it into a new phone where it will get erased as soon as the new phone gets initialized.

 

[Applejuiced]

Thanks, that's what I thought.

But the phone is dead. Water-damaged. Therefore I can't delete anything. I need to physically remove something, but I don't know what...

Then you cant do anything about it.
Just take your sim out.