How to permanently erase everything on Android phone?

Alfred-Augustus · 06-27-2023, 05:33 AM

Hi

Is there Linux tool on my laptop that can permanently erase an Android phone?

I want to do that before I give the phone to recycler.

P.s. Btw, I am using Slackware.

pan64 · 06-27-2023, 05:59 AM

no, you don't need linux or slackware. There is an option somewhere in the settings to factory reset your phone.

syg00 · 06-27-2023, 06:55 AM

I don't trust the reset - I've recovered enough data (on linux) after delete/reset to be skeptical. Being a pixel user I get a factory image and reflash it myself. Phhhht, all gone.

I hope ....

pan64 · 06-27-2023, 07:01 AM

on android the data and cache partitions can be reformatted, that still does not mean full cleanup.
see for example here: https://www.theverge.com/21419919/de...l-trade-how-to

Alfred-Augustus · 06-27-2023, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

no, you don't need linux or slackware. There is an option somewhere in the settings to factory reset your phone.

I read that Factory Reset does not actually delete anything. Bad guys who gets a hold of your old phone from the recyler might be skilled enough to reconstruct your data.

As I understand, harddrives like SSD and HDD can be wiped really clean with the Linux dd command. This supposedly will zero out the drive. Basically nuking it for good.

Code:

$ sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdx

Is there a way I can use dd to nuke a Android phone?

Alfred-Augustus · 06-27-2023, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg00

I don't trust the reset - I've recovered enough data (on linux) after delete/reset to be skeptical. Being a pixel user I get a factory image and reflash it myself. Phhhht, all gone.

I hope ....

Is it possible to open up the phone, locate the eMMC storage, and destroy it physically?

jmccue · 06-27-2023, 08:44 AM

Instead of a recycler, you can run BOINC on the phone.

https://boinc.berkeley.edu/download_...atform=android

Maybe you can give that a try. That is my plan when I need to get a new phone.