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Can I safely throw away old smartphones? (lemm.ee)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

18 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I've been cleaning up my home office and found 2 pretty old smartphones in a box, around 10 years old I'd say. I don't have any old chargers to check if they still work so I'm unsure what sort of data is on there, if any, or if they still charge up even.

What are the chances I can safely dispose of them at a recycling center, without risk of anyone trying to check into the phone? None of them can have the battery removed so I don't want to just smash them with a hammer.

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If they are iPhones I would be less worried about the data, Apple has had a good track record of using encryption of the device.

If you want to be sure that you get the data removed, look up an ifixit guide for your phones, open them, then take the mainboard out and break it into smaller peices.

You are not interesting enough to do a complicated and difficult board repair.

Easiest would be if you have access to an angle grinder or orher heavy duty cutting tool, and cut the phones into peices.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Easiest would be if you have access to an angle grinder or orher heavy duty cutting tool, and cut the phones into peices.

Do NOT do that

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

At least, not until you've removed the battery.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

I agree, I mainly put that in as a joke.