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How to prepare a phone for sale ?

I am wanting to sell my SGS2. It is rooted and running Darkside UCLE2 Rom . what do i do to clear my personal info out of the phone before I sell it ?
I know if it was a stock phone I would just do a factory reset but have no clue what to do with the custom Rom installed.
Thanks for the help !

gwcaton said:
I am wanting to sell my SGS2. It is rooted and running Darkside UCLE2 Rom . what do i do to clear my personal info out of the phone before I sell it ?
I know if it was a stock phone I would just do a factory reset but have no clue what to do with the custom Rom installed.
Thanks for the help !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well (that instructions may apply to any phone, not just SGS2):
- flash Stock ROM / un-root if you are already on stock rom
- wipe data / factory reset
- format internal storage (remember, it's not affected by factory reset and may contain private data)
same applies to your SD card if you are selling phone with it

You might want to flash a custom ROM and keep it rooted since that brings the value of the phone up, people are willing to buy it for more.
Sent from my MB508 using xda premium

[Q] Completely reset my phone to sell. (All data wiped)

Is there a way to completely reset my phone. Its rooted with a custom rom.
I am planning to sell it and when I do I want to completely remove all data, the custom rom, etc and go back to the stock phone as if it were new.
Do I have to flash the original rom, or what the current official rom is, back onto the phone?

How about you read
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

The stickies are your friend. vincom has a great one that details how to return to stock, which is ultimately what you need to do after you wipe ALL the things.

Just use the function "Factory Data Reset" (settings/Backup&Reset)
Don't forget to remove your ext-SD
And you should be good to go. Personally I always leave the custom Rom if that rom is stable, otherwise ODIN is your friend
One more trick, sometime it's good to pay a few buck to have uour phone unlocked (and not only rooted), this way you can attract people on other networks (T-Mobile, Rogers...)
Good luck

floppy__ said:
Just use the function "Factory Data Reset" (settings/Backup&Reset)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not always remove everything. Just sayin'.

Starting Over after TWRP and Rooting

I installed TWRP, then rooted 10.4.2.18.
I need to start over as well, between the random app loading, gestures and stop, I think from scratch would be nice.
Can I do a factory data reset?
I have a backup from TWRP but I didn't label it very clearly and I'm not sure what it is.
It's unlocked and rooted - by doing the reset I'm assuming I'll loose it the root - am I correct?.

OK, so I asked what:
1. the wrong forum?
2. The wrong site?
3. Worded it wrong?
4. Too noob?
I could go on. Over a 100 people looked and NO-one can even point me to the right place if it's been answered before, or have an answer!?

RBraverman said:
OK, so I asked what:
1. the wrong forum?
2. The wrong site?
3. Worded it wrong?
4. Too noob?
I could go on. Over a 100 people looked and NO-one can even point me to the right place if it's been answered before, or have an answer!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try factory data reset from settings app if you like. It is a variable on what you will loose and gain. It is a good place to start. Don't do wipe from the bootloader menu or wipes formats from twrp.
Note: Some wipes and formats can be used in twrp in the case where you will flash a rom after, when flashing stock it seldom helps.
Note: Twrp allows you to choose the name for your backup
You can also flash any of the asus stock firmware but you will have stock recovery (instead of twrp), probably loose root, and all of your apps and data.
My choice for best asus stock firmware is 10.4.2.18. It is not best for everyone but I like it.
Good Luck!
Sorry I didn't notice your post. For everyone else I'm sure they didn't wish to deliver such iffy information.

For future reference, a factory reset will take your ROM back to the point of a fresh install. You will lose all data that has been added since first flashing your ROM. If you were running a custom rooted ROM then you will not lose root. If you go back and flash a non-rooted ROM then you WILL lose root.
If you have data that you need to keep, I recommend using an app like Titanium Backup. Go in and choose to do a batch backup up all your apps. Once you have done a factory reset, you can sign back into Google Play and download Titanium. You can then go in and restore the apps you want. I don't recommend installing all of those apps with their data. Titanium gives you multiple options on how and what you want to restore. Only install the individual app data that you must to have. Usually, I'll restore all of my apps with no data at all. I will then go back in and individually restore the app data that I need.
If changing a ROM, restoring app data for all of your apps can have adverse side effects. That is why I say to only install what you need. Hope this helps. :good:

the best way to start from scratch is do a factory reset then use fastboot to upgrade you're firmware

tobdaryl said:
You can try factory data reset from settings app if you like. It is a variable on what you will loose and gain. It is a good place to start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I wanted to know - and do - but I wasn't sure what was replaced when I loaded twrp.
tobdaryl said:
Don't do wipe from the bootloader menu or wipes formats from twrp.
Note: Some wipes and formats can be used in twrp in the case where you will flash a rom after, when flashing stock it seldom helps.
Note: Twrp allows you to choose the name for your backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did label them, I backed it up - I think - right after I installed twrp and rooted it, ( I usually do ) but I'm not 100% sure so I didn't want to try and screw it up.
tobdaryl said:
You can also flash any of the asus stock firmware but you will have stock recovery (instead of twrp), probably loose root, and all of your apps and data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm generally not too concerned about loosing stuff, as long as I know WHAT I lost, so I can replace.
tobdaryl said:
My choice for best asus stock firmware is 10.4.2.18. It is not best for everyone but I like it.
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Checked and that's what I'm on and so far happy with it.
I un-installed a ton of apps, while I was waiting for an answer, and the thing doesn't seem possessed any more, so I'm adding them back in one at a time giving each 2-3 days.
tobdaryl said:
Sorry I didn't notice your post. For everyone else I'm sure they didn't wish to deliver such iffy information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ABSOLUTELY no reason for an appology. I'd done a search and not come up with anything I could use, and couldn't believe no-one had done this before.

Everything sounds good.
I need to give you one piece of info.
The only thing flashing twrp replaces is stock recovery. Everything else remains the same.
Good Luck!

tobdaryl said:
Everything sounds good.
I need to give you one piece of info.
The only thing flashing twrp replaces is stock recovery. Everything else remains the same.
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BUT when you do a data backup and reset, doesn't the system draw FROM the "stock" recovery?

RBraverman said:
BUT when you do a data backup and reset, doesn't the system draw FROM the "stock" recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are talking about backup with twrp, by default system, emmc, and data are backed up.
Reset erases user apps and data; all basic data would need to be entered as if you had just purchased the unit.

tobdaryl said:
If you are talking about backup with twrp, by default system, emmc, and data are backed up.
Reset erases user apps and data; all basic data would need to be entered as if you had just purchased the unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OH! I was under the impression that it read an image from to the boot parition/recovery partition and wrote that. NOW I get it.
THANK you.
Last question - If I do this (installed es file manager last night and the bloody thing wild), is root.signed.zip still good for rooting this? It's unlocked and 10.4.2.18.

RBraverman said:
OH! I was under the impression that it read an image from to the boot parition/recovery partition and wrote that. NOW I get it.
THANK you.
Last question - If I do this (installed es file manager last night and the bloody thing wild), is root.signed.zip still good for rooting this? It's unlocked and 10.4.2.18.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use es file manager for working with both sdcards. I have used it since I received this tablet and find it very useful. Maybe uninstall and reinstall. For a root browser I use rom toolbox pro.
I have not used root.signed.zip but downloading and looking at the installation I don't find a problem. I'd say try it.

wetbiker7 said:
For future reference, a factory reset will take your ROM back to the point of a fresh install. You will lose all data that has been added since first flashing your ROM. If you were running a custom rooted ROM then you will not lose root. If you go back and flash a non-rooted ROM then you WILL lose root.
If you have data that you need to keep, I recommend using an app like Titanium Backup. Go in and choose to do a batch backup up all your apps. Once you have done a factory reset, you can sign back into Google Play and download Titanium. You can then go in and restore the apps you want. I don't recommend installing all of those apps with their data. Titanium gives you multiple options on how and what you want to restore. Only install the individual app data that you must to have. Usually, I'll restore all of my apps with no data at all. I will then go back in and individually restore the app data that I need.
If changing a ROM, restoring app data for all of your apps can have adverse side effects. That is why I say to only install what you need. Hope this helps. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just saw your post - don't know where I went ...
I do not have a custom ROM, so what you are saying is no matter how I start over, I'm going to have to re-install TWRP, re-root it and ad apps - correct? It seems to me that settings|backup and reset, I'll leave TWRP intact just reset.
OK, I'm somewhat screwed I think - if anyone's out there (sorry pretty frustrated), I cleaned the D-Cache and the cahe, better but not good. Then a settings|reset and the from within the OS and the same problem does what it wants when it wants, opens programs (usually google voice), pops up the window to set wallpaper, freezes etc. Then I restored a backup from early January from WITHIN TWRP, and cleaned the caches - same. Restored another and cleaned same. I have cleaned the system, as I cannot see/figure out which clean rom custom I can use on this, as I think that might be my only hope. Other than tossing in the junk pile as it's unusable like this.
Whatever is going on is IN the system, which leads me to a custom rom as my only possible salvation - (think I just said that, hum).
Any ideas?

[Q] NS4G: How to start from scratch? And other questions...

Had a bit of trouble trying to do this last night, which resulted in a few hours lost sleep. I went formatting everything in CWM and realized after the fact, I also formatted the internal SD card. Luckily ADB worked in transferring the zip (learn something new every day).
Anyway, after all said and done, all my apps were still on the phone. This is after formatting and new ROM...
How can I truly start from scratch to make sure this new ROM is 100% fresh and free of any unnecessary apps from previous ROMs?
Also, what would be the best current radio and link to said radio?
TIA
EDIT: I had just realized the issue with Factory Reset/Wipe Data. This one I had forgot to mention as I could never use it as all options said no and the menu was not scrollable. Just decided to try and use the volume buttons and sure enough there was more to scoll to.
That said, would the following be a proper procedure to follow;
Wipe Data/Factory reset
Wipe Cache
Format: System, Data, Cache, Boot
Wipe: Dalvik then Fix Permissions
Install order: Rom first, Gapps second, Kernel last
Reboot
???

nimrod.sixty9 said:
Had a bit of trouble trying to do this last night, which resulted in a few hours lost sleep. I went formatting everything in CWM and realized after the fact, I also formatted the internal SD card. Luckily ADB worked in transferring the zip (learn something new every day).
Anyway, after all said and done, all my apps were still on the phone. This is after formatting and new ROM...
How can I truly start from scratch to make sure this new ROM is 100% fresh and free of any unnecessary apps from previous ROMs?
Also, what would be the best current radio and link to said radio?
TIA
EDIT: I had just realized the issue with Factory Reset/Wipe Data. This one I had forgot to mention as I could never use it as all options said no and the menu was not scrollable. Just decided to try and use the volume buttons and sure enough there was more to scoll to.
That said, would the following be a proper procedure to follow;
Wipe Data/Factory reset
Wipe Cache
Format: System, Data, Cache, Boot
Wipe: Dalvik then Fix Permissions
Install order: Rom first, Gapps second, Kernel last
Reboot
???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The method I follow is
1. Wipe Data/Factory Reset (this takes away all your downloaded apps?
2. Wipe system/cache/dalvik (this wipes everything else)
3. Flash ROM, Gapps, Kernel
The thing with android is, even if there are some files left over from the previous ROM, they'll get overwritten with the ones from my new ROM, taking them away regardless. The reason you wipe everything to make sure there aren't any files that won't get overwritten. So basically, wipe everything and flash, and you'll have a fresh new ROM also you don't need to fix permissions after you wipe everything because they'll be no permissions to fix! Lol
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

beneath-a-burning-turtle said:
The method I follow is
1. Wipe Data/Factory Reset (this takes away all your downloaded apps?
2. Wipe system/cache/dalvik (this wipes everything else)
3. Flash ROM, Gapps, Kernel
The thing with android is, even if there are some files left over from the previous ROM, they'll get overwritten with the ones from my new ROM, taking them away regardless. The reason you wipe everything to make sure there aren't any files that won't get overwritten. So basically, wipe everything and flash, and you'll have a fresh new ROM also you don't need to fix permissions after you wipe everything because they'll be no permissions to fix! Lol
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, good sir! Now running nice and clean!
Still need that newest radio if ya know it.

nimrod.sixty9 said:
Thank you, good sir! Now running nice and clean!
Still need that newest radio if ya know it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know it offhand but its probably somewhere on the development forums. I just noticed I said "my new rom" in my original post, I meant "the new rom" just in case you were a little confused (probably not but that would've annoyed me if I didn't address it)
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2

beneath-a-burning-turtle said:
I don't know it offhand but its probably somewhere on the development forums. I just noticed I said "my new rom" in my original post, I meant "the new rom" just in case you were a little confused (probably not but that would've annoyed me if I didn't address it)
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Newest radio I can find is from last year. Maybe that the newest. I know for certain signal and data is a million times better. However, I still have no 4g
And Im having an issue I ned to report about the ROM but XDA wont let me post... :crying:

[Q] Complete Wipe of TF300 - Factory Reset?

Hello everyone
I just wanted to ask everyone a quick questions before proceeding, as I want to make sure I'm doing this correctly. I currently have a TF300T with Cromi-x 5.4 installed. I want to "wipe" the pad, essentially back to what I would call "fresh", basically, where absolutely no data of any kind is left (apps are gone, data is gone, config files are gone). I did this with my non-rooted Samsung Note 2 and it is running GREAT now (noticeably quicker), so I want to try with my TF300 which is often VERY sluggish.
What I wanted to check with the community is that if I do a Factory Reset from TWRP, it will wipe everything, but NOT - TWRP and my Cromi-x ROM, correct. I don't want the tablet completely wiped of everything (meaning it has nothing at all on it).
I think I"m being paranoid, as what I've read makes me believe that the Factory Reset wouldn't wipe TWRP and my ROM but just all data, meaning I have to start from scratch which is fine.
Thanks very much!

ACaton said:
Hello everyone
I just wanted to ask everyone a quick questions before proceeding, as I want to make sure I'm doing this correctly. I currently have a TF300T with Cromi-x 5.4 installed. I want to "wipe" the pad, essentially back to what I would call "fresh", basically, where absolutely no data of any kind is left (apps are gone, data is gone, config files are gone). I did this with my non-rooted Samsung Note 2 and it is running GREAT now (noticeably quicker), so I want to try with my TF300 which is often VERY sluggish.
What I wanted to check with the community is that if I do a Factory Reset from TWRP, it will wipe everything, but NOT - TWRP and my Cromi-x ROM, correct. I don't want the tablet completely wiped of everything (meaning it has nothing at all on it).
I think I"m being paranoid, as what I've read makes me believe that the Factory Reset wouldn't wipe TWRP and my ROM but just all data, meaning I have to start from scratch which is fine.
Thanks very much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if you would like to wipe it all then do a full wipe from TWRP then push or sideload or MTP the rom zip back on the tablet and flash it for a nice clean install...
Let me know you need any help along the way..
Thx Josh