Return and destroy old tablets and iPads
When you send a device to another party, it is important to erase data. Or at least the confidential data on it. Expunged tablets often contain quite a bit of confidential data. Addresses, e-mails and photo/film is obviously the first thing that comes to mind, but a deprecated tablet can obviously contain all sorts of things. Moreover, almost every tablet user has one or more cloud accounts such as me.com – gmail.com etc.
Therefore, it can have major consequences if your old device ends up in the wrong hands of cybercriminals. A clever hacker not only has access to the data on your tablet or iPad, but also to your cloud. A faulty or incomplete tablet or iPad can also cause unpleasant surprises.
Doesn’t the access code provide security then?
Most tablet users put an access code or fingerprint protection on their device to prevent unauthorized use. In the latest models, this security indeed provides good protection against direct access to the system. Apple products and modern Android tablets in particular have strong layers of security.
But even with a lock, tablets are not completely risk-free. If you connect a tablet to a computer via cable, certain files – such as photos and videos – may still be accessible. For tablets with a separate SD card, you can access data even more easily by inserting the card into a card reader. These files are often not protected by an access code.
In short, a locking device certainly provides good basic security, but it is not foolproof. Want to protect your data really well? Then get full data encryption and delete sensitive data before having your tablet recycled.
How do you destroy data?
Actually, this works just like a cell phone. You can give the tablet a hard-reset, the tablet then reports that all data will be erased. If the tablet is still to be used, you must first disconnect any cloud account. This is necessary, otherwise the next user will not be able to use his or her new iPad at all.
A hard reset of such an Apple iPad may seem to erase all data, yet it is not safe. In fact, there are ways to reverse this hard reset.
So you have to overwrite the entire memory of the tablet after the hard reset. You can do that with special wipe software. If you Google on it you will come across some free tools left and right.
The very best tool is Blancco. This is also the tool that IT Recycling uses. But Blancco is not cheap and very difficult for the hobbyist to use.
The roadmap
So, if you want to trade in a tablet without worry, you need to take care of the following things.
1. Disconnect account
Before recycling or selling a tablet, it is crucial to disconnect all accounts. Consider your Apple ID or Google account. This will prevent the next user from accessing your personal information. Also check that features such as “Find My iPad” or “Device Manager” are disabled.
2. Hard-reset
A hard reset returns your tablet to factory settings. This erases virtually all personal data, including settings, apps and files. This is useful if you want to reset the tablet. Keep in mind that a hard reset does not always permanently delete everything; sensitive data requires additional protection.
3. Wip
Wiping means completely and irretrievably deleting the data on your tablet. This goes beyond a hard reset and ensures that nothing can be recovered even with special software. This process is mostly used in data destruction, to ensure that personal or business-sensitive data is gone for good.
Especially if you don’t do these things on a daily basis, this will take you quite a bit of time. Also, a broken tablet should not be dismissed out of hand. Because something that is defective can be repaired. You then have to take the Apple device apart, and that’s pretty tough.
Be careful
There are websites that want to buy up your old tablet. You can then send your tablet to that party. CAUTION: This is, however, a very big risk. Packages get lost in the mail (something that often happens with tablets) and there is no telling how reliably such a website will handle your confidential data.
Getting old tablets recycled? Choose a professional approach
Want to have old tablets picked up? That can be conveniently combined with other computer waste. Be aware that not every computer recycler offers data destruction for tablets. Check the website first to see if they provide data destruction for cell phones. If they do, they can usually securely erase tablets as well.
The cost of destroying data on a tablet averages between 5 and 10 euros. Some recyclers also buy up discarded tablets, provided they are not too old. Tablets that are no longer suitable for sale are usually professionally dismantled and processed.
Always choose a WEEELABEX-certified recycler. This certification is required by law and guarantees a high level of recycling and data destruction. Only the best recyclers meet this standard.
At IT Recycling, we offer both data destruction and the ability to sell out tablets or other usable parts. Saleable tablets are fully wiped, while non-saleable ones are carefully dismantled and destroyed in our warehouse. Thus, you are assured of safe and responsible disposal.
Safest solution: tablets shredded on site
Want to really see data destruction with your own eyes? Some computer recyclers offer on-site hard drive destruction with a shredder in a truck. These mobile shredders can also destroy tablets, but it’s trickier than it looks. For safety, batteries and screens must be removed first, as they are not legally allowed to go through the shredder. Batteries can also cause a fire hazard, which has already led to serious incidents.
A recent example? A mobile shredder completely burned out because tablets were shredded without the proper preparation. The customer’s building was also close to catching fire.
Returning old iPads? Choose IT-Recycling
At IT Recycling, we use special tools to dismantle tablets safely and quickly. We are also the only one in the Netherlands with WEEELABEX certification as well as the ability to shred as fine as 9 mm on site. Why is that important? If you don’t shred finely enough, motherboards sometimes remain intact or are not destroyed sufficiently.
Do you want to be 100% sure of safe destruction of your tablets? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Please contact contact us soon To have your old iPad or tablet safely disposed of.