Your cellphone is a lot like your middle school best friend. For a year (or two), he knows your deepest, darkest, never-tell-anyone-pinky-promise secrets. Then, you go to high school, take different classes, and never speak to each other again. But what happens to all that cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die information when you recycle your old best friend for someone new?
If you don't want all your valuable information -- including contact information, photos and passwords -- falling into someone else's hands when you recycle your cellphone, you'll want to take a few steps to ensure that your phone is wiped clean.
Taking the precautions we've compiled in the gallery above will keep your personal data safe, and in your hands. Even though your former best friend revealed your secret crush to the entire class, your cellphone doesn't have to betray you as well.
Let us know how these steps worked for you in the comments below.