Have you got an old laptop, smart phone, tablet or iPad that you no longer need?
You can donate any unwanted devices you no longer use and we’ll give them a good home.
We welcome donations of a range of working devices including laptops, tablets (such as iPads), smartphones and smart hubs (such as Amazon Echo – Alexas and Google Nests).
Devices should be packaged securely with any chargers or cables included where possible.
Local Businesses & Organisations
We welcome the opportunity to joining forces with organisations who are renewing their digital equipment and would like to support their communities by donating equipment.
Businesses can also support the project by donating data or encouraging employees to volunteer as Digital Champions in their communities. If your business would like to support Reboot North Yorkshire please get in touch with us
Before devices can be donated, they must be restored to a factory reset to make sure that any personal data or information is no longer on the device.
Please follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure your device is successfully reset and personal information removed:
Reset Laptops Guide
Before donating, please follow the instructions below on how to wipe the data from your laptop.
Apple/Mac Laptops
Watch the following tutorial video (please note some laptop screens may look slightly different to the one shown in the video):
How to Reset a MacBook to Factory Default
Windows 10 Laptops
Watch the following tutorial video (please note some laptop screens may look slightly different to the one shown in the video):
How to Reset Windows 10 to Factory Default
Windows 8 Laptops
Watch the following tutorial video (please note some laptop screens may look slightly different to the one shown in the video):
How to Reset Windows 8 to Factory Default
Windows 7 Laptops
Click Start, then choose Control Panel. Click System and Security.
Next, choose Backup and Restore.
In the Backup and Restore window, click on the Recover system settings or your computer link.
Next, choose Advanced recovery methods.
Now you’ll be presented with two options: “Restore files from a system image backup” and “Return Your Computer to Factory Condition”. Click on “Return Your Computer to Factory Condition”.
Note: If your computer doesn’t have a recovery partition, then the factory reset option is not available and you’ll see the “Reinstall Windows (requires Windows installation disc)” option instead.
Select to either create a backup now, or to skip it and continue the factory reset without backing up any of your current files.
Click the Restart button to reboot your computer and to start the factory reset process.
Sources:
https://solidaritech.com/donate/
https://tech-angels.net/how-to-wipe-your-machine-for-donation/
Reset Smartphone Guide
Before donating, please follow the instructions below on how to wipe the data from your smartphone and complete a factory reset.
iPhones
Tap Settings > General > Reset
Then tap Erase All Content and Settings.
You may be asked to enter your passcode or Apple ID password before you can proceed. Please see the Apple support pages if you have forgotten your passcode or forgotten your Apple ID.
Next, confirm that you want to erase your device.
Wait for your device to erase. Depending on your device, it can take some time to completely erase your data.
When completed, hold down the power button and turn it off.
Most Android Phones
Tap the Settings icon then scroll to the bottom of the settings menu.
Select System > Reset options.
Select Erase all data (factory reset).
Select Reset phone at the bottom.
Enter your PIN or password if prompted and then select Continue and select Erase everything.
Wait for your device to erase. Depending on your device, it can take some time to completely erase your data.
When completed, hold down the power button and turn it off.
Windows Phones
On Start, swipe over to the All Apps list, then select Settings.
Select System > About > Reset your phone.
You’ll receive two warnings. To restore your phone to its factory settings, select Yes, and then select Yes again.
Wait for your device to erase. Depending on your device, it can take some time to completely erase your data.
When completed, hold down the power button and turn it off.
Sources:
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201274
https://www.androidauthority.com/factory-reset-android-1119937/
https://www.androidcentral.com/how-factory-reset-android-phone
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reset-my-phone-04717aab-b858-8b37-523e-39143a6764d6
Reset Tablets User Guide
Before donating, please follow the instructions below on how to wipe the data from your iPad or tablet, and complete a factory reset.
iPads
Tap Settings > General > Reset
Then tap Erase All Content and Settings.
You may be asked to enter your passcode or Apple ID password before you can proceed. Please see the Apple support pages if you have forgotten your passcode or forgotten your Apple ID.
Next, confirm that you want to erase your device.
Wait for your device to erase. Depending on your device, it can take some time to completely erase your data.
When completed, hold down the power button and turn it off.
Tablets
Open Settings, and select System.
Select Reset options.
Select Erase all data (factory reset).
Select Reset Tablet at the bottom.
You’ll be asked to confirm, select Erase Everything.
Enter your PIN or password if prompted.
Wait for your device to erase. Depending on your device, it can take some time to completely erase your data.
When completed, hold down the power button and turn it off.
Sources:
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201274
https://www.support.com/how-to/how-to-factory-reset-an-android-phone-or-tablet-10321
https://www.androidauthority.com/factory-reset-android-1119937/
In Depth Data Removal Options
If you have particularly sensitive information on your device you may want to complete an in depth data removal before donating.
The following options are free and will help you completely wipe your data by writing over the information by “scribbling over the data”. Each time the data is written over is called a “pass”, the more passes then the more secure your data is. The US Department of Defence recommends 7 passes and this should be sufficient for most people too.
Please note: these methods are a lot more involved and can be more time consuming.
DBAN – Darik’s Boot And Nuke
This will completely erase everything on the computer so the new owner has an ‘as new’ PC to use.
Download DBAN and copy it to a DVD.
Do not unzip the file on your PC or else it will start over-writing your data there and then.
Restart your PC with the DVD in place and allow DBAN to wipe your PC’s contents.
Expect it to take most of a day.
Download DBAN
Wise Disk Cleaner
WDC is a free tool that automatically works out the places where you might have sensitive data stored and overwrites it.
This is a great tool for people who are not sure where their sensitive data might be stored.
WDC is currently supported under Windows XP (with Service Pack 3), Windows Server 2003 (with Service Pack 2), Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, 8, 10 and Windows Server 2012, 2016.
Download Wise Disk Cleaner
Eraser
Eraser is a free tool for Windows which allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns.
This is a great tool for people who know where their sensitive data is stored.
Eraser is currently supported under Windows XP (with Service Pack 3), Windows Server 2003 (with Service Pack 2), Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, 8, 10 and Windows Server 2012, 2016.
Download Eraser
Sources:
If you need help completing a factory reset, please contact your local library or community drop off points, a list of local trusted partner organisations can be found on our Digital Skills and Support Page
Need map and list which is accessible
Once your devices have been reset, please bring them to one of our community drop off points or participating libraries during their open hours. You can find your nearest library here