Steps to factory reset a SoftBank phone before trading it in

Preparing a Japanese SoftBank handset for resale or trade-in involves two separate jobs: removing personal information and releasing the device from network or account protections. A reset handles the first job, but it does not automatically make the handset carrier-free. Australian buyers may insert their own Telstra, Optus or Vodafone SIM, so any remaining SoftBank lock can reduce its value or make the phone unusable.

A clean device gives you little access to settings, contacts or authentication apps, so complete the preparation before erasing anything. Back up the data you need, settle the mobile account, remove account locks and record the model and IMEI. Keep the phone charged and connect it to Wi-Fi during setup. If it is a company-managed handset, ask the administrator to remove it from Mobile Device Management before wiping.

Back up before you erase

Begin with a full backup rather than relying on one cloud service. Copy photos, videos, contacts, calendars, notes, browser bookmarks, messages and downloaded files to a computer or encrypted cloud storage. Most Android phones offer a manufacturer backup under Settings, while Google account backup covers many core items. For iPhone, use Find My or iCloud backup, then confirm that the backup date and included items appear correct.

Move the data to your replacement phone or long-term storage. Transfer WhatsApp chats and other app data through each app’s built-in migration tool, because a generic backup may not include message history. Check that photos open outside the phone’s gallery and that contacts contain the right phone numbers. Export or re-enrol any two-factor authentication codes before signing out, since resetting the old handset can remove access to an authenticator app.

Pay particular attention to eSIM profiles, mobile banking apps and password managers. Transfer the eSIM through the carrier or phone manufacturer’s secure process, and keep the old SIM until the new service is active. Some Japanese SoftBank handsets use a physical nano-SIM, so remove it only after confirming the number has been ported or the line cancelled. If a memory card is present, copy its contents and remove the card before handover.

Settle your SoftBank account

Check the SoftBank bill for the final month, outstanding instalments, device discounts and any recovery charges. A handset still linked to a rental or instalment contract may need to be returned rather than sold. Keep the purchase receipt, contract records and photographs of the phone’s condition. They help the new buyer establish ownership and help a trade-in assessor distinguish normal wear from accidental damage.

Complete any number portability before cancelling the line, following SoftBank’s process rather than removing the SIM first. If the Japanese number is no longer needed, request cancellation and save the confirmation. Turning off the network line does not remove a carrier lock from the hardware, so contact SoftBank separately if the device still displays a SIM or network restriction. Get a written unlock confirmation before offering the phone for trade.

Remove account and network locks

On Android, remove the Google account and any Samsung, Xiaomi or other manufacturer account from Settings before erasing the handset. Factory Reset Protection can otherwise demand the previous Google credentials when the next person reaches the setup screen. Disable device-administration or business-provisioning apps first, since Android may refuse to remove an account while such an app is active. If the credentials are unavailable, use the manufacturer’s official recovery route instead of attempting to bypass the protection.

On iPhone, turn off Find My iPhone, sign out of iCloud and remove the device from your Apple Account. The activation lock is separate from the data wipe, and an iPhone may still request the previous Apple ID after its contents have been erased. Confirm that the old Apple ID password works before starting. Remove any cellular eSIM profile under the cellular settings if it is not being transferred, and ask the carrier whether the line itself remains active after removal.

Finally, confirm that the handset is fully unlocked for international use and that any contract with SoftBank has ended. Check for a device-management profile, work account, mobile wallet or remote-access tool that could reactivate after the reset. Factory Reset Protection, Activation Lock and carrier locks serve different purposes; clearing one does not clear the others. Each lock needs to be released through its legitimate owner before the phone changes hands.

Run the factory reset

On most Android 12 and later devices, open Settings, choose System, select Reset options, then tap Factory data reset and Erase all data. Android may ask for your PIN before displaying the final erase button. Samsung models commonly place this under General management, Reset, Factory data reset, while older Android versions use System, Reset options, Factory data reset. Menu names can vary by manufacturer and software version, so use the closest equivalent and read the warning screen before confirming.

For iPhone, open Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, then choose Erase All Content and Settings. Older iOS versions place Erase All Content and Settings under General, Reset. Enter the device passcode when prompted and confirm that cellular plans and connected devices will be removed. This process erases personal content and restores the original settings, but it does not cancel a SoftBank line, unlock a carrier-restricted phone or remove an activation lock that was left in place.

Keep the phone connected to power during the reset and allow it to restart several times. Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen appears blank for a while. When it finishes, the phone should stop at the language or welcome screen rather than opening the old home screen. Leave it there for the next owner, and do not create a new account just to check the device.

Confirm the wipe is complete

At the welcome screen, check that no previous photos, contacts, notifications, apps or accounts appear. An Android phone should not ask for the former Google account, and an iPhone should not ask for the previous Apple ID. Some devices make an online activation check during startup, so keep Wi-Fi connected for the first screen. If an old account prompt appears, stop and correct that lock before the phone is handed over.

A final mobile privacy checklist helps you verify the IMEI, serial number, reset status and included accessories without storing those details publicly. Confirm that the SIM tray is empty, any memory card has been removed and personal labels or stickers have been taken off the case. If you tested the camera or other functions after the reset, repeat the reset before delivery. That returns the handset to a clean setup state and removes the test account.

Plan for Australian buyers and recycling

Check the exact handset variant against Australian network compatibility. Japanese SoftBank models may support many of the 4G bands used by Telstra, Optus and regional operators, but some variants lack the 700 MHz band important outside metropolitan areas. Australian 5G also uses spectrum and channel combinations that are not guaranteed on every Japanese model. A reset cannot add a missing radio band, so describe the model number honestly and set expectations with a buyer.

Trade-in counters and second-hand dealers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane commonly expect a working, unlocked handset with a clear ownership history. The Australian stolen-phone register and initiatives such as CheckMATE make IMEI checks increasingly important, while marketplace buyers may ask for proof that the device is not blacklisted. A factory reset shows that personal data has been removed, but it does not prove that the IMEI is legitimate. Never trade a device whose ownership or contract status is uncertain.

If a replacement is being imported from Japan, remember that goods valued at A$1,000 or more generally enter Australia’s customs system, while lower-value imports can still attract GST. Confirm the current threshold and landed-cost rules before shipping, and never conceal the phone’s value. For disposal, send the device to a reputable mobile recycler or an authorised e-waste program rather than removing the lithium battery and posting it separately. Local council e-waste rules differ across Australia, so check the relevant collection service.

Hand over the phone with confidence

Complete the reset only after the backup, account closure and lock removal are finished. Photograph the IMEI and exterior beforehand, keep the cancellation and unlock confirmations, and include only the charger and accessories listed in the trade-in terms. Charge the handset enough for the buyer or assessor to inspect it, leave it at the setup screen and make sure it starts without your account.

If the device came from NSC in Fukushima or Miyagi, use NSC mobile support to confirm the correct SoftBank account and model-specific reset procedure before arranging handover. Give the adviser the model number and IMEI, follow the authorised service instructions, and schedule the trade-in once the handset reaches its welcome screen. That final check protects your privacy, avoids an account lock on the next device and gives the buyer a clean phone they can activate with confidence.