The family question
What must be backed up signed out and erased first? Retire a device only after backup, sign-out, and erase steps are verified. This guide is for a household where an old phone, tablet or computer still contains accounts and family files. For Retire or Donate a Device Safely, the goal is one repeatable task the account owner understands, not a broad device overhaul.
Before you begin
Back up approved files and list accounts that still recognize the device before signing out. Before changing anything for Retire or Donate a Device Safely, agree on the exact result and keep a working contact method available in case the task needs to pause.
Three safe steps
1. Back up important files.
Begin with the parent beside you and back up important files. For retire or donate a device safely, record backup location, sign-outs completed and erase confirmation; keep passwords, recovery codes and private answers off the worksheet. The checkpoint is simple: the retained device can open needed files and the retired device no longer appears as trusted.
2. Sign out through official settings.
Next, sign out through official settings. For retire or donate a device safely, compare what appears on the device with the official guidance below, not with instructions from an incoming message or caller. Do not donate, recycle or trade in the device until backup and account removal are independently verified.
3. Erase and remove the device from accounts.
Finish by erase and remove the device from accounts. Ask the parent to repeat the result without coaching, then add the date beside backup location, sign-outs completed and erase confirmation. If the retire or donate a device safely task cannot be repeated, return to the last working state and use the official support route.
If it does not go as expected
Do not donate, recycle or trade in the device until backup and account removal are independently verified. While working on Retire or Donate a Device Safely, a warning, unfamiliar login screen or unexpected request for private information is a reason to pause, document what is visible and return through an official support page.
Make the family handoff clear
Write down backup location, sign-outs completed and erase confirmation and the name of the approved helper. The Retire or Donate a Device Safely handoff is complete only when the retained device can open needed files and the retired device no longer appears as trusted. Review this topic note after a relevant device, account or caregiver change.
Printable family checklist
- What must be backed up signed out and erased first?
- Back up important files.
- Sign out through official settings.
- Erase and remove the device from accounts.
- We recorded backup location, sign-outs completed and erase confirmation.
- The account owner understood every change.
- We tested one normal task after the change.
Official sources
Product screens change. For Retire or Donate a Device Safely, open these primary sources directly and verify that the instructions still match the device before acting.
- EPA Electronics Donation and RecyclingPrimary guidance used to review Retire or Donate a Device Safely.
- CISA Secure Our WorldPrimary guidance used to review Retire or Donate a Device Safely.
Safety boundary
This Retire or Donate a Device Safely checklist is general technology education for families, not medical, legal, financial, security or emergency advice. If an active outage, recall, scam notice or security advisory affects this topic, use the current official source and follow its stated instructions.