Old smartphones can hold accounts, messages, photos, and other personal data, so treat each one according to its current software support and how you use it. Keep a screen lock enabled, install updates when available, and maintain a separate backup. Before a phone leaves your control, secure the data you need, unlink accounts, remove its cards, and reset it using the instructions for that exact model.
What makes an old phone safer to keep?
Age alone does not tell you whether a phone is secure. The practical question is whether the exact model and operating-system version still receive security updates. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidance recommends screen locks, software updates, regular backups, and lost-phone controls, but it does not establish that every older model remains supported. Check the manufacturer’s support information for each device rather than assuming all phones of a given age have the same status. FTC phone security guidance
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Lock the screen
Use a passcode and set the phone to lock automatically when idle. The FTC offers a passcode of at least six digits as a baseline. A lock helps protect data if a phone is misplaced or accessed by someone else; it does not replace updates or a backup.
Install available updates
Install operating-system and app updates when the phone offers them. Updates can include security fixes. If the manufacturer no longer provides security updates for a model, the device cannot be brought up to date merely by following general security advice. Avoid relying on an unsupported phone for sensitive everyday activity, such as banking, when you cannot establish that it receives current protections.
#1 Best Overall
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Keep a separate backup
Back up data regularly to a secure external drive or a carefully vetted cloud service. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) advises protecting backup recovery keys and passwords, too. A backup can help recover data if a phone is lost or fails; it does not make an unsupported phone safe to use. CISA guidance on protecting stored data
Pay attention to Android operating-system warnings
Google says a deliberately modified Android operating system can expose data to corruption and security risks. If an unexpected operating-system safety warning appears, Google recommends restoring the operating system or contacting the manufacturer. Follow the instructions for the device rather than treating the warning as a routine update prompt. Google’s Android operating-system safety guidance
Rank #2
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
How should you prepare a phone before it leaves your collection?
Do not start with the reset. First decide what data you need, make and verify a backup, and make sure you can authenticate to the phone and its associated accounts. Then remove account access and cards before resetting it.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Back up what you want to keep. Check that the backup is usable and that you have the passwords or recovery credentials needed to access it. FTC guidance recommends backing up before upgrading or retiring a phone; CISA explains the importance of securing backup credentials.
- Unlink accounts and trusted-device access. Remove the phone from online accounts and from trusted-device or multi-factor authentication lists. Otherwise, the phone may remain authorized to approve sign-ins or receive account prompts after you pass it on.
- Remove the SIM and SD cards. A phone reset does not remove a card left inside the device. Keep cards you plan to reuse securely, or dispose of them appropriately.
- Factory-reset using the official instructions for the exact model. The reset flow varies by platform, model, and software version. Use the manufacturer’s current instructions rather than assuming the same button sequence applies to every phone. The FTC also recommends removing accounts and cards before resetting. FTC guidance on preparing a phone before an upgrade and CISA’s device-disposal guidance
- Plan for activation if someone else will use the phone. Android factory-reset protection may require the previous screen lock or Google Account credentials before a new owner can activate a reset device. Confirm that you can authenticate and follow Google’s guidance before passing it on; a reset does not necessarily remove this activation requirement. Google’s Android factory-reset instructions and Google’s reset-protection guidance
- Choose an appropriate recycling route if the phone is not being reused. The FTC suggests checking options through the manufacturer, wireless provider, electronics stores, or the Environmental Protection Agency.
What changes if you suspect stalkerware or tampering?
Do not automatically follow the usual backup-and-restore routine. If someone may be monitoring or controlling the phone, changing or resetting it could affect your personal safety. Consider the risks before acting, and document abuse or preserve important content before making changes when it is safe to do so.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
The FTC advises considering a new phone or a full reset in stalkerware situations and warns against restoring apps from the old backup. Apple likewise says that if you reset a device to remove suspected malicious software, restoring from a backup can reinstall it. A routine migration backup and a backup made from a potentially compromised phone are not interchangeable choices: restoring the latter may bring the unwanted software back. FTC stalkerware guidance and Apple’s factory-reset and suspected-malware guidance
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Rank #4
- Condition: Certified Refurbished- May have few minor scuffs or scratches
- Ships in non-retail box with generic charger and USB cable only. No any other accessories included.
- Model: Samsung Galaxy A11 A115U 32GB
- This device is GSM unlocked and will work with T-Mobile, Sprint. Not compatible with Cricket and any other CDMA network. To ensure this phone will work with your carrier please check to make sure the frequencies your carrier uses are supported by this phone.
- No longer compatible with AT&T networks
How do the rules differ by situation?
| Situation | What to prioritize | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping a phone in use | Screen lock, available system and app updates, and a separate backup. | Support depends on the exact model and software version; general advice does not establish that an older device still receives security updates. |
| Retiring or passing on a phone | Back up needed data, unlink accounts and trusted-device access, remove SIM and SD cards, then reset it using model-specific instructions. | Android reset protection may require prior-owner credentials for activation. |
| Suspected stalkerware or malicious software | Consider personal safety, document or preserve important material if safe, and consider a new phone or full reset. | Restoring apps from the old backup may reinstall unwanted software. |
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