DATA PROTECTION & DEVICE RELEASE GUIDE
How to wipe data before recycling electronics
Before recycling, selling, or donating a device, back up what you need, sign out of accounts, remove activation and management locks, erase the device, and confirm it reaches a normal setup screen.
PREPARATION
Before you erase a device
- Back up important files and records.
- Record the serial number, model, and asset tag.
- Sign out of personal and business accounts.
- Remove device management, automated enrollment, Find My, and activation locks.
- Use the manufacturer’s recommended erase or reset process.
- Confirm the device reaches a normal setup screen without the former owner or organization.
MANAGED DEVICES
Remove management before you wipe
A factory reset does not always remove organizational control. Devices that remain enrolled or activation-locked may have reduced or no reuse or resale value.
Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopilot
Removing a device from Intune and removing its Autopilot registration are separate actions. Complete both, reset the computer, and confirm the former organization is not requested during setup.
Apple Business Manager, Jamf, and Activation Lock
Disable Activation Lock, unmanage the device in Jamf or the applicable MDM, release it from Apple Business Manager, erase it, and confirm setup no longer requests the former account or organization.
Chromebook Enterprise Enrollment
An administrator should deprovision a managed Chromebook in Google Admin before Powerwash. Powerwash alone may not remove enterprise control.
Android Zero-Touch Enrollment
Remove the device’s assigned configuration and registration in the organization’s Zero-Touch portal before factory reset.
Other MDM Platforms
Retire or unmanage the device, remove automated enrollment, disable locks, remove the organizational record when appropriate, reset, and verify clean setup.
DEVICES THAT WILL NOT TURN ON
Do not disassemble damaged devices at home
If a device is dead, swollen, water-damaged, or will not boot, do not pry open embedded batteries or storage. Bring it to LAeCycle or request business service so the hardware can be evaluated for safe processing and data destruction.
BUSINESS DATA
A factory reset is not documented data destruction
A reset prepares many working personal devices for reuse. Organizations that need verification, media-specific methods, chain of custody, serial tracking, or Certificates of Destruction should request a defined data-destruction or ITAD service.
LET’S TAKE THE NEXT STEP
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