Helping donors help you
Before making a donation, you need your donors to ensure that their devices can be successfully restored and rehomed. For example, unless a smartphone, tablet or Macbook donor factory resets their device, you won’t be able to use it for anything other than recycling!
By the end of this step, you’ll have two simple checklists which you should share with donors.
Key insights
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Providing reassurance
Very often, we store unwanted devices rather than passing them on because we’re concerned that the data on them could fall into the wrong hands. You can alleviate donors’ worries by reassuring them that you understand their concerns and outlining the actions you’ll take to keep their data safe. Outlining the steps that will be taken to protect their data privacy can also help to put their minds at ease. Please see the Terms of Engagement for more information.
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Resetting
You must ask donors of mobiles, tablets and Macbooks to ‘factory reset’ them before donation. Even seasoned IT professionals will be unable to access devices which haven’t been factory reset. We strongly recommend that donors also factory reset Windows laptops before donating them.
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Screening
Asking donors to run further basic checks will reduce the number of faulty devices received. However, it may also put some potential donors off. Some commercial partners may be able to effectively dispose of or sell devices which are not up to the required specifications.
Donor checklists
Laptops
You should ask your donors to perform the following checks before donating a laptop:
- The laptop has no major physical damage (e.g. water damage or a cracked screen)
- It’s no older than seven years old
- It boots up and is in working order
- It has a functioning battery that can retain charge
- It has had a factory reset (mandatory for Macbooks and preferred for other devices, although you will also use professional software to wipe data from donated laptops)
- They’ve logged out of cloud-based storage or tracking software, such as Find My Device
You may also choose to ask for accessories.
Note: if you’re working with a commercial restorer, they may be able to monetise unsuitable devices. You may like to adjust your donor checklist accordingly.
Pros
- Using a checklist will help reduce the number of unsuitable donations
Cons
- It adds complexity for donors, you can minimise donor dropout by explaining why it’s important that donors run checks
Smartphones and tablets
You should ask your donors to perform the following checks before donating a smartphone or tablet:
- It has had a factory reset (mandatory – without this, the device will be inaccessible and made useless)
- It has no major physical damage (e.g. water damage or cracked screens)
- It is no older than five years old
- It turns on and is in working order
- It has a functioning battery that can retain charge
- They’ve logged out of any cloud-based storage or tracking software, such as Find My Device
You may also choose to ask for accessories.
Note: if you’re working with a commercial restorer, they may be able to monetise unsuitable devices. You may like to adjust your donor checklist accordingly.
Pros
- Using a checklist will help ensure that each donor completes a factory reset – if they don’t, you won’t be able to use the device!
Cons
- Think twice before making accessory donation mandatory as it put donors off (a partner may be able to provide low cost accessories instead)
Things to think about
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Gentle reminders
Using a checkbox approach in the donation process is a gentle way to remind donors to complete essential steps, e.g. factory resetting smartphones and tablets.
