I recently got a new phone and, as part of the deal, I handed over my old one to the delivery person after performing a factory reset. I thought I was safe after the reset, but when I set up my new phone and checked my Google account management, I discovered all my Google accounts were still signed in on the old device. I rushed to sign out from all accounts on the old phone, only to find that one of my accounts also showed as signed in on a Mac that I've never owned. After changing my passwords, I found that one of my accounts still seemed linked to that Mac. Now I'm worried my account might have been compromised. What should I do to track this device and secure my Google account? Also, does a factory reset guarantee my old device is safe?
4 Answers
It's also possible that there's malware on one of your devices, which could capture your login details whenever you connect. Make sure to run a security scan on all your devices and perhaps even consider wiping them to start fresh. Changing your passwords was a good step; just keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual.
If the delivery person didn't reset your old phone in front of you, there's a small chance they could have tampered with it before handing it over. Keep your new phone secure, and if you haven't already, do a factory reset on that to ensure it's clean. Also, change your passwords after doing the reset—in case someone did install something sneaky.
You should definitely enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Google accounts right away. It adds an extra layer of security that can help prevent unauthorized access to your accounts. As for the factory reset, while it usually wipes your data, there's still a chance someone could access residual info if they really wanted to—though it's less likely with modern phones. Keep an eye on your account's sign-ins and consider reaching out to Google for extra help if you continue to see suspicious activity.
That's a smart move! Especially since it sounds like this might not just be an issue with the old phone.
I’ve been in a similar pickle. After a factory reset, your account can still show up on your Google account because it doesn’t unlink automatically from that account, even if the phone is wiped. Just be cautious that your new phone isn’t compromised—if you're suspicious of that delivery person, a quick factory reset on the new phone could help clear things up. Always enable 2FA and monitor your account closely after this kind of situation.
Good to know! I thought a reset would disconnect everything! Guess I'll keep my guard up.
Good reminder about resetting the new device! Staying proactive is key.