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Old Phone Release Preparation

Clear the private work before making the public handoff.

Fifteen minutes to begin one household decision; actual task time variesFree · Two-page fillable PDF

Companion to An Old Phone Needs Its Data Removed Before It Leaves Home.

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See a worked example

Hypothetical example: an adult discovers that an old phone still supports account sign-in and delays donation until the owner completes the official access transfer and removal steps.

01Treat the phone as a record holder

Confirm device ownership and permission to release it.

Device and model

Owner authorizing transfer

Organizational restriction or unresolved permission

02Preserve the next phone’s access before erasing this one

Preserve needed information and verify continuing access.

Needed data destination

Private account-access checks completed

Transfer gap and responsible account holder

03Follow the actual maker’s handoff instructions

Follow the exact maker’s removal instructions.

Official maker instruction source

Cards and connections addressed as directed

Completed erase or held status

04Give the recipient a truthful device status

Confirm truthful condition and accepted handoff.

Actual condition disclosed

Recipient or recycling route requirements

Accepted transfer record or remaining hold