How to Factory Reset an Android Before Selling
By The BuyBackBear Team · Published June 1, 2026 · Updated June 1, 2026 · 5 min read
Android phones have a Factory Reset Protection (FRP) lock tied to your Google account. If you reset without removing your accounts first, the phone gets stuck on account verification, and becomes unsellable. Do these steps in order.
Key takeaways
- •Factory Reset Protection locks Android phones to your Google account, so you must remove accounts before resetting or the phone becomes unsellable.
- •Remove your screen lock and all Google accounts under Settings → Passwords & accounts to clear FRP before factory resetting.
- •After factory resetting, verify the phone doesn't ask for previous account verification before selling it.
- •Don't forget to remove your SIM and SD card before resetting the phone.
1. Back up
Back up to Google (Settings → Google → Backup) and/or your manufacturer's cloud, plus photos to Google Photos.
2. Remove the screen lock and your accounts
Turn off your PIN/biometrics, then go to Settings → Passwords & accounts and remove every Google account (and your Samsung account on Galaxy devices). This is what clears FRP.
3. Remove SIM and SD card
Eject the SIM and any microSD card so they don't ship with the phone.
4. Factory reset
Go to Settings → System → Reset → Erase all data (factory reset). After it reboots, confirm it does not ask you to verify a previous Google account.
Ready to sell?
Get an instant quote and a free prepaid label.
Selling your device here, at a glance
Get my instant quote →- Instant quote in about 30 seconds, price locked while you decide
- Cash by PayPal, Zelle, Venmo or check after inspection, no fees
- Free prepaid label both ways, free return shipping if you decline
- We beat any competitor's written quote by $2
- Cracked screen, broken or won't power on? Still worth real money
- Certified NIST 800-88 data wipe with an emailed certificate
- Trade-in value paid in cash, not a 24-36 month carrier bill credit
- Every model priced: unlocked or carrier-locked, any storage size