Here are a few pro tips to follow before bringing or sending in a device for recycling:

• Transfer or back up your address book, photos, messages and other stored information, then erase all content from your device.
• Disable the activation lock, anti-theft and/or find your device settings.
• Restore the device factory settings on your device. For instructions on how to do this, check your owner's manual, the manufacturers' web site, or T-Mobile’s device support page, and follow the instructions for deleting all personal information on your wireless device.
• Turn off power.
• Remove the SIM card (found in some GSM, 4G and 5G devices). If you're unsure if your device has one, contact your provider for more information.

Our certified electronics recycling partner automatically “wipes clean” more than 200 types of personal user content, including: pictures, contacts, call history, e-mails, text messages, appointments, cookies and history, videos, and tasks. However, T-Mobile and our recycler don’t guarantee the security of any confidential data stored in the electronic products you recycle.

T-Mobile handles various types of devices and batteries. Federal and state laws regulate how batteries and devices are recycled. The T-Mobile recycling program complies with those laws and gives consumers a way to properly and safely recycle these items. T-Mobile requires suppliers and partners that repair and recycle these devices to be certified to the industry leading R2 standard, which provides a common set of processes, safety measures and documentation requirements. R2 is rigorously and independently audited, emphasizing quality, safety and transparency, including any devices exported for refurbishment and recycling. Recyclables include handsets, chargers, accessories, nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries, lithium-ion batteries, small sealed lead acid (SSLA) batteries and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.