7 Things to Do Before Selling Your Used Phone (Wipe, Backup, Unlock)

Mzuri Team 29 May 2026 8 min read
7 Things to Do Before Selling Your Used Phone (Wipe, Backup, Unlock)

Selling your old phone is one of the easiest ways to fund an upgrade in Kenya. But hand it over carelessly and you risk two nightmares: losing your precious data and photos forever, or worse, leaving your M-Pesa, banking apps, and personal information in a stranger's hands. Get the prep right, though, and you protect your privacy and fetch a better price.

Here are the seven things every Kenyan should do before selling a used phone, in the right order. Skip none of them.

1. Back up everything (photos, contacts, M-Pesa records)

Once you wipe the phone, it is gone for good, so back up first. Do not lose those graduation photos or your contacts.

  • Android: Go to Settings > Google > Backup and run a backup to Google Drive (photos, contacts, app data). Use Google Photos to save your gallery to the cloud, and export contacts as well.
  • iPhone: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and back up, or back up to a computer.
  • M-Pesa and banking: Screenshot or note any statements you need. Your M-Pesa is tied to your SIM and number, not the phone, so it moves with your SIM, but save any in-app records you want to keep.
  • WhatsApp: Back up your chats (WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup) so you can restore them on the new phone.

Confirm the backup actually completed before moving on. A half-finished backup is how people lose years of memories.

2. Remove your accounts and disable lock features

This is the step most people forget, and it is the most important for security. If you skip it, the buyer cannot use the phone (Activation Lock / FRP) and you stay logged into your accounts.

  • iPhone, sign out of iCloud first. Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign Out. This removes Activation Lock. If you skip this, the phone is locked to your Apple ID and useless to the buyer, and you should never let the buyer set it up before you sign out.
  • Android, remove your Google account. Go to Settings > Accounts and remove your Google account before resetting, this disables Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which would otherwise lock the phone after a reset.
  • Sign out of everything else: WhatsApp, Facebook, banking apps, M-Pesa app, email, and any social accounts.

3. Factory reset (wipe) the phone properly

Now, and only now, wipe it. A factory reset erases your data and returns the phone to a clean state.

  • Android: Settings > System > Reset > Factory data reset (wording varies by brand, Samsung, Tecno, Infinix, Xiaomi). For extra security on older Android phones, enable encryption first if it is not already on.
  • iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

After resetting, power the phone on and confirm it shows the fresh setup screen with no lock and no account attached. That is your proof the wipe worked.

4. Remove your SIM and memory card

Obvious, but easy to forget in the excitement of selling. Pop out:

  • Your SIM card, your number, M-Pesa, and contacts live here. Keep it.
  • The microSD card, it may hold photos, documents, and downloads.

Hand over the phone with no SIM and no memory card unless you have specifically agreed to include a card you have wiped.

5. Unlock the phone from any network

An unlocked phone fetches more money and sells faster, because the buyer can use any network, Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom. Most phones sold in Kenya are already unlocked, but if yours was financed (for example through Lipa Mdogo Mdogo) or carrier-locked:

  • Confirm any financing is fully paid and the device is released, you cannot legally sell a phone still tied to a finance lock.
  • For carrier-locked imports, contact the network or use a reputable unlocking service.

Buyers will ask, so be ready to confirm the phone takes any SIM.

6. Gather proof of ownership and note the IMEI

Trust sells. Buyers in Kenya are wary of stolen phones, and rightly so. Having proof speeds up the sale and justifies a higher price.

  • Find your original receipt or box if you have it.
  • Note the IMEI, dial *#06# to display it. A genuine phone matches the IMEI when texted to 1555 (free), via the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). Let serious buyers verify it themselves, it builds confidence.
  • Have your National ID ready, some buyers like to confirm they are dealing with the real owner.

Being able to prove the phone is genuine and yours is one of the strongest ways to command a fair price and avoid time-wasters.

7. Clean it up and take good photos

Presentation directly affects price. A clean phone with clear photos sells faster and higher.

  • Wipe the screen and body, remove dust from ports, and remove old screen protectors if cracked.
  • Take clear, well-lit photos: front, back, sides, screen on, and honest shots of any scratches or dents. Honesty here prevents disputes at the meet-up.
  • Note the true condition, storage size, battery health (iPhone: Settings > Battery > Battery Health), and any accessories included (charger, box, earphones).

A well-presented listing stands out. When you are ready, post a free listing on Mzuri and reach genuine buyers actively looking for used and new phones. To price it right, browse similar models, for example current Samsung or iPhone listings, and see what comparable phones are fetching.

How to price your phone fairly

Prep is only half the job, pricing it right is what gets it sold without leaving money on the table. A few pointers:

  • Research the live market. Look at what the same model, storage size, and condition is currently fetching. Identical phones can vary by thousands of shillings depending on condition and accessories.
  • Be honest about condition. A Grade A (near-mint) phone commands more than one with screen scratches or a tired battery. Pricing an average phone like a perfect one just attracts hagglers and wastes your time.
  • Factor in accessories. Original box, charger, and earphones genuinely add value, mention them.
  • Battery health matters to buyers. A phone with 90 percent-plus battery health (iPhone) or a strong-holding battery (Android) justifies a higher ask.
  • Leave a little room to negotiate. Kenyan buyers expect to bargain, so price slightly above your floor, but stay realistic or your listing will simply be skipped.

Common mistakes to avoid

These trip up first-time sellers again and again:

  • Wiping before backing up. Once it is gone, it is gone, back up first, always.
  • Forgetting to sign out of iCloud or remove the Google account. This locks the phone for the buyer and stalls your sale.
  • Leaving the SIM or memory card inside. Easy to forget, painful to lose.
  • Using blurry or stock photos. They scream "something to hide" and depress your price.
  • Hiding faults. A cracked back or weak battery will be discovered at the meet-up, honesty upfront prevents a collapsed deal.

Bonus: stay safe at the sale

You have prepped the phone, now protect yourself during the transaction:

  • Meet in a busy, public place during daytime, a mall, bank, or M-Pesa agent in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, or Nakuru. Bring a friend.
  • Confirm payment before handing over the phone. For M-Pesa, never trust the SMS alone, check your real balance via *334# or the M-PESA app, fake confirmation messages are common.
  • Be wary of buyers offering unrealistic prices or rushing you. For more, read Mzuri's safety tips.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do before selling my phone in Kenya? Back up your data, remove all accounts (especially iCloud or Google), factory reset the phone, take out your SIM and memory card, confirm it is unlocked, gather proof of ownership and the IMEI, then clean it and take clear photos before listing.

Does a factory reset remove everything from my phone? A factory reset erases your data and apps, but you must first sign out of iCloud (iPhone) or remove your Google account (Android) to disable Activation Lock or Factory Reset Protection. Otherwise the phone stays locked even after a reset.

Is my M-Pesa safe when I sell my phone? Yes, M-Pesa is tied to your SIM card and phone number, not the handset. Remove your SIM before selling, and sign out of the M-PESA app and any banking apps, then factory reset to be safe.

Why does unlocking my phone help me sell it? An unlocked phone works on any network, Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom, so more buyers want it and they will pay more. A network-locked phone limits your buyers and lowers the price.

How do I prove my used phone is genuine to a buyer? Show the IMEI by dialling *#06#, and let the buyer text it to 1555 (free) for the CA to confirm it is genuine. Having the original receipt or box and your National ID ready also builds trust and helps you get a better price.

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