2nd Hand Mobile + Factory Reset

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DefMoose

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#282631 2-Mar-2021 21:06

Hi!

Thinking of buying my mum a 2nd had phone for her to carry around when she goes out and about.

It will be for emergency calls and scanning Covid QR codes :-( etc

Will doing a factory reset get rid of any malware etc before setting it up for her.

Started to do the old google search and of course went down the rabbit hole of unlocked bootloaders, custom roms, flashing the phone to ensure all nastiness is gone!!

Looking at a Nokia or a Samsung entry level phone.

Thanks in advance...........

Linux

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#2666969 2-Mar-2021 21:24

Make sure the Google account is not signed into and yes a hard reset after purchase is a very good idea but the person selling it should do this as well

michaelmurfy

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#2666973 2-Mar-2021 21:44

If you're asking for a mobile from the community then you'll need to post in Offers & Wanted however you need to verify yourself with the Persona service being a new user: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=77

If you're asking for advise then you can post in here, but I'm actually failing to see a question...

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DefMoose

7 posts

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#2667016 2-Mar-2021 21:52

Question was - Will doing a factory reset get rid of any malware etc before setting it up for her???

Keeping an eye on the Offers and Wanted. Haven't thought about where to get a 2nd hand phone. Was just asking the above first.

Cheers

tanivula

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#2667024 2-Mar-2021 22:35

DefMoose:

Question was - Will doing a factory reset get rid of any malware etc before setting it up for her???

Keeping an eye on the Offers and Wanted. Haven't thought about where to get a 2nd hand phone. Was just asking the above first.

Cheers

Yes, assuming the phone is a reputable manufacturer, annnd it has not been rooted/running a custom ROM. Basically, if the ROM has malware in the system partitions, these will remain after a software factory reset. Edit/ in my exp, custom ROMs from the 'community' are generally aimed at making things better and could be considered safe. I know some phones bought via Aliexp etc can come with non official software.

If you're buying Samsung, look for knox being tripped and NZ models. Again, from a Samsung perspective, you can flash software using a windows programme to totally wipe the thing back to 'defaults' (this can brick it if you really try hard!).

michaelmurfy

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#2667025 2-Mar-2021 22:37

If you’re buying a brand name device (Nokia, Samsung etc) that hasn’t had a third party rom on it or hasn’t been rooted then you’re fine - a factory reset should be enough.

There’s always the risk with second hand Android devices and unless if you buy it from a trusted location/seller then you’re best to treat them as compromised. I personally once did this with some of my older devices by baking my tracking software in with the rom however as I needed to unlock the bootloader to do this the phone complained on every boot.

Another option - Apple devices running the most up to date version of iOS not only may be easier for your mother but also is more secure. If this is your concern and it is for a first time mobile user then get a second hand iPhone. Seriously. You can lock them right down to the absolute basics and if you’ve got a 2degrees contract yourself then just add a shared data sim to the iPhone along with a little bit of credit so you can track the phone with find my iPhone etc.

qwertee

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#2667146 3-Mar-2021 08:25

Linux: Make sure the Google account is not signed into and yes a hard reset after purchase is a very good idea but the person selling it should do this as well

I learned the hardway when I bought a LG V20 on TM that still had an active google account

The seller was really good by sorting this out for me.

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1101

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#2667245 3-Mar-2021 10:52

Why not just buy new .
Less hassles , you know it shouldnt have issues , will have warranty & good batt life .

Vodafone branded phones start at really cheap prices
Or a Locked Skinny or 2degrees phone ?

With a new phone, you get a new battery , no issues with it being Telco locked or riddled with malware (usually)
Used phone, who knows how long the batt life is .

$194
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MPHMOT0205301/Motorola-Moto-E6s-2020-Dual-SIM-Smartphone-2GB--32

Whatever you get , check the Android version. many cheap phones(new & used) have long obselete/unsupported Android versions

DefMoose

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#2667945 4-Mar-2021 21:22

Thanks to those who replied.

Your posts have given me things to think about.

Much appreciated.

Cheers

ANglEAUT

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#2667961 4-Mar-2021 22:22

tanivula: ... If you're buying Samsung, look for knox being tripped and NZ models. ...

Yeah, try & make sure they previous owner did not enable Knox & forgot their Samsung credentials. You can send a Samsung phone to the likes of Samsung Service Centre to get Knox unlocked. I don't know if you'll have to jump through any hoops though. They solved my business phone issue after a staff member left for $95.

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