How do you erase an iphone that is dead?

Question

How do you erase an iphone that is dead?

My iphone died, won't take a charge anymore and only displays the empty battery symbol.
I have a new phone on the way and will most likely hand the dead phone over to the tech guys (it's a work phone) but I want to clear the phone first. Who knows where the phone ends up after you hand it over.

How do you clear/erase a 3G iphone that is dead?

thanks

MacBook 13, that aluminum one, Mac OS X (10.5.5), time machine

Posted on Jul 6, 2009 7:43 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 6, 2009 8:27 PM in response to neuroanatomist

I left it on the charger for hours but to no effect. As it was on its way out it would not even plug into my car radio to play itunes.
How about running a very strong magnet over it?
I don't like the idea of handing it over to the tech guys at my company and who knows where it ends up after that.

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Answer 2

Jul 6, 2009 8:36 PM in response to thismacseemsprettycool

Flash memory is not magnetic. A strong magnet may damage other internal components, but it won't affect the memory. You'll have to trust them, or not turn it over. If you have the 3.0 OS installed and a password set for encryption, your data are secure.

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Answer 3

Jul 6, 2009 8:19 PM in response to thismacseemsprettycool

You cannot. Did you leave it on AC for a while? With a drained battery, it can take 15-20 minutes to 'revive'.

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Answer 4

nick101

Level 5

5,150 points

Jul 6, 2009 8:22 PM in response to thismacseemsprettycool

It can't be erased while dead. Somehow, someone has to get enough charge into it to wake it up long enough to erase the settings.

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Answer 5

Jul 6, 2009 8:42 PM in response to neuroanatomist

I have the four digit password set when you first turn the phone on or after an hour in inactivity. Is that the encryption of which you speak?

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