I'm trying to recycle two old iPhones (iPhone 4 & 6) I've had for years. They are so old that they no longer charge or turn on. I can't access them to delete all my data and I feel weird mailing off these two for recycling when they haven't been wiped. What is the safest way of disposing of these?
Earlier iPhone models
Apple will recycle your devices for free if you take them to a store. Not sure if you mean that you don’t trust apple but they also have an option to mail them in. Check your local area for electronic recycling too. More info here: Disposal and recycling information for iPhone - Apple Support
4movie wrote:
Yes, that's what I intended to do, but that's when I thought I could power them on, wipe out the data, and mail them. Now I can't turn them on anymore to delete the data and I'm hesitant to send them off that way.
If you had a password on the phone, the data is encrypted. It can only be retrieved with that passcode. That means, if the phone can't be turned on, the password can't be entered and the data is safe.
Yes, that's what I intended to do, but that's when I thought I could power them on, wipe out the data, and mail them. Now I can't turn them on anymore to delete the data and I'm hesitant to send them off that way.
Is it safe to recycle ancient phones with dead batteries?
