Do you have a used phone, tablet and even laptop that you could donate to help spread the Gospel? Missionaries are being trained in the Middle East, but they need devices to help them communicate and use the tools provided in training. Specifically, they need unlocked GSM (AT&T or T-Mobile) phones and their accessories (chargers, case, etc.).
If you can donate, there are a few things to do to prepare the phone or tablet or laptop.
Phone or tablet. The detailed steps differ for Android vs. iOS (Apple). For some simple steps, see www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/how-to-completely-wipe-your-phone-before-selling-it/. For a more complete list, see www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-wipe-your-phone-or-tablet-before-selling/. For more specific information for iPhones, see support.apple.com/en-us/HT201274
- Backup your phone, including pictures and text messages. For more information, see nordvpn.com/blog/how-to-wipe-phone/
- Keep the serial number of the phone or tablet on file for your records.
- Unlock the phone so it can be used internationally. You will need to work through your carrier to do it. See www.allconnect.com/blog/how-to-unlock-a-phone
- Remove SIM card and SD (memory) card.
- Log out of services like email and social media, then clear the data from these apps if you can.
- Wipe the internal memory by doing a factory reset. If you want to be very sure the data cannot be retrieved, create a fake account on the phone. This overwrites the old data.
For laptops, see www.consumerreports.org/computers/how-to-wipe-a-computer-clean-of-personal-data/
- Backup your files
- Reset your computer with the “thorough cleaning” option.
Once you have prepared your device, then drop it off at the church. The Missions Team will then ship them to the missionaries. For more information, contact Chip Scott.