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How to remove Find My and erase your data

Returning or trading in your device? You’ll need to remove any locks and erase your data first. Here’s how

Claudia avatar
Written by Claudia
Updated today

Before you get started

Make sure to back up anything you want to keep - either to the cloud or your new device. Then follow the steps to remove Find My and erase your data. This keeps your info safe and avoids delays with your return.

Choose your device below to get started.

Phones

Apple iPhone

  1. Turn off Find My:

    1. Open Settings

    2. Tap [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone

    3. Toggle off Find My iPhone (You may need to turn off Stolen Device Protection first)

    4. Enter your Apple ID password to confirm

  2. Erase your iPhone:

    1. Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone

    2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings

    3. Follow the on-screen steps

Important: If you are unable to access the device to turn off Find My and erase your data, please follow the steps to do this remotely here.

Samsung Galaxy

  1. Remove Samsung or Google account:

    1. Open Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts

    2. Select your Samsung or Google account and tap Remove account

    3. Tap Remove account account

    4. Then Sign out and re-enter your account password if prompted

  2. Factory reset:

    1. Open Settings > General management > Reset

    2. Tap Factory data reset > Reset > Delete all

Google Pixel

  1. Remove Google Account:

    1. Open Settings > Passwords & accounts

    2. Select your Google account and tap Remove account

    3. Select Remove account again to confirm

    4. You may need to enter your device's pattern, PIN, or password for security

  2. Factory reset:

    1. Open Settings > System > Reset options

    2. Tap Erase all data (factory reset)

      1. If needed, your phone asks for your PIN. Enter your PIN and then tap Erase all data.

    3. Confirm and follow the prompts

Laptops & computers

Apple Mac

  1. Turn off Find My:

    1. Click the Apple menu > System Settings > [Your name]

      1. If you don’t see your name, sign in first

    2. Tap iCloud >

      1. For macOS Sequoia or later: Tap See All > Find My Mac

      2. For macOS 14 or earlier: Tap Find My Mac

    3. Toggle off Find My Mac and enter your Apple ID password

  2. Erase your Mac:

    1. Go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset

    2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings

    3. Follow the on-screen steps

Important: If you are unable to access the device to turn off Find My and erase your data, please follow the steps to do this remotely here.

HP Laptop

  1. Factory reset:

    1. Open the Start menu > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery

    2. Under Reset this PC tap Get Started

    3. Choose Remove everything and follow the on-screen steps

Lenovo Laptop

  1. Factory reset:

    1. Open Start menu > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery

    2. Under Reset this PC tap Get Started

    3. Choose Remove everything and follow the on-screen steps

Tablets

Apple iPhone

  1. Turn off Find My:

    1. Open Settings

    2. Tap [your name] > Find My > Find My iPad

    3. Toggle off Find My iPad (You may need to turn off Stolen Device Protection first)

    4. Enter your Apple ID password to confirm

  2. Erase your iPad:

    1. Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad

    2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings

    3. Follow the on-screen steps

Important: If you are unable to access the device to turn off Find My and erase your data, please follow the steps to do this remotely here.

Lenovo Tablet

  1. Factory reset:

    1. Open Settings > System > Reset options

    2. Tap Erase all data

Samsung Tablet

  1. Remove Samsung or Google account:

    1. Open Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts

    2. Select your Samsung or Google account and tap Remove account

    3. Tap Remove account account

    4. Then Sign out and re-enter your account password if prompted

  2. Factory reset:

    1. Open Settings > General management > Reset

    2. Tap Factory data reset > Reset > Delete all

Watches

Apple Watch

  1. Unpair and erase:

    1. Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together

    2. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone

    3. Go to the My Watch tab and tap All Watches

    4. Tap the info button > Unpair Apple Watch

    5. Tap Unpair [your Apple Watch name] and follow the steps

Samsung Galaxy Watch

  1. Factory reset:

    1. On your watch, open Settings.

    2. Tap General > Reset.

    3. Follow the on-screen steps to confirm the reset

Google Pixel Watch

  1. Reset from watch:

    1. Swipe down on the watch face and tap Settings

      1. For wear 3: Tap General > Reset > Reset and enter PIN

      2. For wear 2: Tap System > Disconnect & reset > Done

Headphones

Apple AirPods

  1. Remove from Find My:

    1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone

    2. Tap Devices, then select your AirPods

    3. Scroll down and tap Remove This Device

Speakers

Apple HomePod

  1. Remove from Home app:

    1. Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad or Mac

    2. Press and hold the HomePod icon

    3. Scroll down and tap Remove Accessory.

    4. Select Remove

If you need further assistance, feel free to contact our team. We’re here to help!

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