How to Wipe Your Data Yourself

You Don't Have To — But You Can

Just so we're clear: you do NOT need to wipe your device before donating it. We run a certified NIST 800-88 data destruction process on every device and send you a certificate to prove it. But if you'd feel better doing it yourself first, here's how on each platform.

Windows 10 & 11

• Step 1: Go to Settings → System → Recovery
• Step 2: Click "Reset this PC"
• Step 3: Choose "Remove everything"
• Step 4: Select "Clean data" (this takes longer but is more thorough)
• Step 5: Click "Reset" and wait. Could take 1–3 hours.

macOS (MacBook / iMac)

• Step 1: Sign out of iCloud (System Preferences → Apple ID → Sign Out)
• Step 2: Restart and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode
• Step 3: Open Disk Utility → select your main drive → click "Erase"
• Step 4: Close Disk Utility and select "Reinstall macOS"
• Step 5: Follow the prompts. Don't sign in with your Apple ID — leave it for the next person.

Chromebook

• Step 1: Sign out of your Google account
• Step 2: Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R on the sign-in screen
• Step 3: Select "Powerwash" → Restart
• Step 4: Done! Chromebooks are the easiest to wipe.

Still Nervous?

Totally normal. That's exactly why we provide NIST 800-88 certified data destruction on every single device. You'll receive a Data Destruction Certificate with the serial number, date, and method used. Your data is gone. Properly gone. Not "deleted" gone — overwritten-multiple-times gone.