Help Wiping personal data before returning Incredible

[Wordslinger]

I received a replacement Incredible and have to send my original back to verizon. I wiped the internal memory and did a factory restore. Is there anything else I should do to clean up my personal data? I had a bunch of photos on the internal memory and I want to make sure they are definitely gone before I send the phone back.

 

[sdrawkcab25]

this website links to a service that provides instructions for you:
Privacy Watch: Wipe Your Cell Phone's Memory Before Giving It Away | PCWorld

I'm posting the article rather than the company's website as I've never heard of them, but PC world is recommending them and in my opinion are trustworthy source.

 

[sweeds]

I had a bunch of photos on the internal memory and I want to make sure they are definitely gone before I send the phone back.

Kinky areeee we

The link provided in the PC World Article is broken, but try this: recellular.com. You have to enter your name and email and they will send you a guide on delete all information on your cell phone model.

Under Setting > SD & Phone Storage> Format phone storage / Factory data reset are going to completely remove the internal data. Also check under Settings > Security > Clear Storage to remove all saved passwords etc. This is a very solid reset and removes all data that I can think of. Other than that, 3rd party applications may be able to further increase security if you find it necessary.

If you do follow through recellular, let me know what they tell you additionally. I'd be interested in what else they say.

 

[Wordslinger]

Thanks for the replies.

Under Setting > SD & Phone Storage> Format phone storage / Factory data reset are going to completely remove the internal data. Also check under Settings > Security > Clear Storage to remove all saved passwords etc. This is a very solid reset and removes all data that I can think of. Other than that, 3rd party applications may be able to further increase security if you find it necessary.

Through the settings I formatted the internal storage and then performed a factory reset. I'm assuming that should have cleared all my stored passwords and contacts since I'm now asked to activate the phone when I turn it on. I also mounted the internal storage to my computer and formatted it by zeroing out the data.

I'm anal when it comes to personal data. So much of our info goes into a smartphone that it's unnerving to think that the phone could be reused by a stranger who could potentially see everything I did on it, even though there's nothing bad or embarrassing. That's the price we pay for having cool toys.

 

[sweeds]

It sounds like you have all of your bases covered. If its asking for activation, that is the perfect spot to be in when sending back your phone.

Did you try out the guide posted at the site above, recellular? If so, did they give any good advice?

 

[Wordslinger]

It sounds like you have all of your bases covered. If its asking for activation, that is the perfect spot to be in when sending back your phone.

Did you try out the guide posted at the site above, recellular? If so, did they give any good advice?

I didn't. The phone had to be shipped out yesterday to be within the five day window Verizon gives you before charging your account, so I was kind of rushing to get the phone cleaned up. But I'm definitely going to keep it in mind for the future.

 

[ACD168]

I didn't. The phone had to be shipped out yesterday to be within the five day window Verizon gives you before charging your account, so I was kind of rushing to get the phone cleaned up. But I'm definitely going to keep it in mind for the future.

they rep told me they say 5, but don't charge until 20. take ur time

 

[Eusibius2]

I've gone to recelluar website and got the "instructions" to wipe a Droid Incredible. Ready for this? Here they are (this is all the instructions, in their entirety!):

Factory Reset
1) Power off phone
2) Press and hold Volume Down and Power buttons
3) Hold down buttons till white screen appears
4) Using Volume Down, Press
to Clear Storage, Press Power
5) Press Volume Up
Phone will reset!!