This is the case on iPhones, iPads, Android devices, Macs-and even Windows PCs. Modern devices make it possible to easily wipe your drive, erasing any files stored on the drive as you restore its default operating system.
Make sure you have copies of any important photos and other data on your phone or tablet before continuing. For example, an iPhone or iPad will back up to iCloud Backup automatically, although you can choose to use encrypted local iTunes backups instead. Most of the data on your mobile device is likely synchronized with online services, so it will be available after you wipe the device. If you’re using a tablet or smartphone, you probably don’t have to worry as much about backing up its data. Consult our look at what files you should back up on your Windows PC if you need some help. But there’s still a good chance you have important local files sitting around. Files stored in services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive are stored online and can be easily accessed on your new PC. Thanks to cloud services, much of your important personal data may already come with you. You should already be regularly backing up anyway, as this will protect you from hardware failures, malware, and other threats. Be sure to back up any important data on your old computer, smartphone, or tablet before wiping it. This part’s obvious, but it’s important anyway.
