When a phone, tablet or laptop reaches the end of its useful life, the usual advice is to run a factory reset. For many everyday situations that is a sensible step. For businesses, schools and public bodies it is often not enough on its own. Here is what a factory reset does, where it works and where it falls short.
What a factory reset actually does
A factory reset puts a device back to its original software state, removing your accounts, apps and settings. How thoroughly it removes the underlying data depends on the device, its age and whether its storage was encrypted. It is a reset of the software, not a guaranteed, verified erasure of the storage.
Modern phones and tablets
Most modern smartphones and tablets encrypt their storage by default. On these devices, a reset typically destroys the encryption keys, which leaves the stored data unreadable. That makes a reset reasonably effective for a recent iPhone or Android handset in good working order. The catches are important, though:
- Older or low-cost devices may not be encrypted, so a reset may leave data recoverable.
- Accounts and activation locks, such as Apple ID and Google accounts, can stay attached and stop the device being reused.
- Devices enrolled in management systems may be re-enrolled or locked.
- SIM cards and memory cards are not covered by the reset.
- There is no record that the reset worked.
Our mobile and tablet wiping service combines secure erase with account and lock checks and a record for every device.
Laptops and PCs
On Windows, resetting the PC offers options, including a more thorough one that cleans the drive. That is better than simply reinstalling the system, but it is still not verified, and results vary with the drive type and age. Modern Macs offer an Erase All Content and Settings option that is designed to wipe the device efficiently by destroying keys. For individuals, these tools are often fine. For a fleet, you have no consistent evidence of what happened to each machine. See our laptop and PC wiping service for fleet-wide, reported erasure.
Why organisations need more than a reset
Under UK GDPR you must protect personal data and be able to demonstrate that you did. A factory reset gives you no serial-level record, no verification and no certificate. If a device later turns up with data on it, you have little to show. Our guide to GDPR and data erasure explains why accountability matters.
Flash storage adds another wrinkle. Resets that rely on software alone may not reach every cell on an SSD, which is why guidance recommends firmware-level or cryptographic methods. See how to wipe an SSD securely.
What to do before you hand a device over
- Back up anything you need, because erasure is permanent.
- Sign out of accounts such as Apple ID, Google and Microsoft, and turn off Find My and similar locks.
- Remove the device from any management system.
- Remove SIM cards and memory cards, or keep them with the device if they are included.
- Run the reset or erase option.
- For anything holding business, customer or patient data, use a verified wipe and keep the certificate.
Reset, wipe or destroy?
- Personal device, modern and encrypted: a reset after signing out is usually reasonable.
- Business or public sector device: use a verified wipe with a certificate.
- Faulty, unsupported or highly sensitive device: physical destruction. See data destruction.
Not sure about the difference? Our guide to what data wiping is explains it in plain English.
Frequently asked questions
Does a factory reset delete everything? It removes your accounts and settings, and on modern encrypted devices it usually makes the data unreadable. On older or unencrypted devices, data may be recoverable.
Can data be recovered after a factory reset? Sometimes, depending on the device and whether it was encrypted. A verified wipe removes the doubt.
Is a factory reset enough for a company laptop? It is not enough on its own if you need proof. A verified wipe gives a certificate and serial-level record.
Need devices wiped and certified?
We wipe laptops, PCs, phones, tablets, servers and drives across the UK, with free collection or on-site attendance and a certificate for every job. Get a free quote and hear back within 24 hours.
