
Essential Steps Before Selling Your Used Android Smartphone
By: RebootPoint_employee | Published: August 3, 2024
Take a good, up-close look at your phone right now, and you might notice that it is a bit dirty, but the problem isn’t the dirt that you can see but rather the bacteria that you can’t. Your phone is a device that you use every day, and unfortunately, phones get dirty quite a bit and you need to remember to clean them occasionally. To take care of your phone, we have dedicated this page to what you could do yourself to make your phone even cleaner than before.
Benefits of cleaning your smartphone
- Removing bacteria and germs: Because smartphones are used often, it is known that they might house bacteria and germs. Frequent phone cleaning can help lower the possibility of bringing dangerous bacteria into contact with your hands and face.
- Protection of ports and buttons: The charging port, headphone jack, and other holes may sustain harm from dirt and debris being caught there. Maintaining these regions cleans the equipment and helps keep it from breaking down.
- Reduced heat buildup: Your phone might overheat if dust accumulates inside, which can obstruct adequate ventilation. Cleaning can aid in maintaining ideal temperature levels.
- Decreased fire hazard: A buildup of dust and lint in the charging port may lead to overheating and raise the possibility of a fire. This risk is reduced by maintaining the port clean.
- Clear audio and charge: Clearing the speakers and charging port of any debris will help preserve the quality of your phone’s clear audio and guarantee uninterrupted charging.
- Preserving the value: Cleaning your smartphone regularly makes it shiny and appealing, which is especially helpful if you want to trade or sell it later.
- Screen touch sensitivity: The touch sensitivity and display clarity of your phone’s screen might be impacted by dust and debris accumulation. The screen may be cleaned to get back to its best performance and visibility.
Tools required:
- Soft-bristle brush: Examples include a tiny paintbrush, a dry, clean toothbrush, and a specialist brush for cleaning electronics.
- Canister of compressed air: To remove trash and dust using a blower.
- Microfiber cloth: Perfect for safely cleaning surfaces and lenses without causing scratches.
- Isopropyl alcohol : For safe usage on electrical surfaces, a concentration of 70% or less is advised; optional for deeper cleaning.
- Glue Paste (Optional): to clear tiny nooks and crannies of dust and debris.
- Optional lens cleaning solution: Solution for cleaning camera lenses or a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water.
- Optional lens cleaning pen: Helpful for softly cleaning camera lenses of dust.
- Toothpick: To clean small openings and nooks.

Charging port
The charging port is where dirt and lint can build up, which can impair the charging process since the pins of the charging cable do not connect to the cable. Having problems charging your phone might be caused by lint blocking the outlet.
Reasons why your charging port needs to be cleaned
- Intermittent charging: A blocked port might be the cause of your phone charging only sometimes or only when the cable is inserted in a specific way.
- Sluggish Charging: When the connection becomes hindered due to accumulated trash, sluggish charging may occur.
- Charger not fitting correctly: Something can be obstructing the charger’s path if it does not slide into the port securely.
Step 1: Power of device: Ensure that your phone is turned off. Put a little bit of 70% rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip and dab it around the port. Alcohol will dissolve any gunk that is stuck, and you can wipe it all away with a paper towel.
Step 2: Use the toothpick: Remove any dirt or lint that has built up inside the charging port with a wooden toothpick. Avoid using metal pins, since this can damage your phone if you’re not careful.
Step 3: Clean with a Plastic Tool or Toothpick: Using a toothpick or other soft plastic cleaning tool, gently enter it into the charging port. Using a gentle scraping motion, remove any visible debris. Take great caution not to exert excessive pressure. Make use of the instrument to remove any loose material.
Step 4: Soft brush: Any last bits of debris should be cleaned out of the port using a soft brush. Apply mild pressure to prevent internal component damage.
Step 5: Isopropyl alcohol: Wet a cotton swab slightly with isopropyl alcohol (90 percent or more). Once the swab is gently inserted into the port, remove any sticky residue. Before turning on your phone, make sure the port is totally dry.
Advice and cautions
- Don’t use metal: Metal tools should never be used since they can harm the charging port.
- Do not insert liquids: Steer clear of putting cleaning agents or water into the port.
- Be patient: Take your time so as not to harm the fragile parts.
Frequent maintenance: To avoid accumulation, clean the port on a regular basis.

Speakers
Have you noticed that the sound coming from your phone has gotten worse? It is most likely due to dust and gunks building up into solid matter, which can distort and dampen your speakers. As with the charging port, removing the gunk is the same procedure. Alternatively, you can use a brush, such as a toothbrush, after you have softened the gunk with rubbing alcohol.

The significance of speaker cleaning
- Preserve sound quality: Crisp speakers make sure that calls, music, and alerts are heard as clearly as possible.
- Prevents damage: Frequent cleaning keeps particles from damaging the speaker components in the long run.
- Increases device longevity: Maintaining the cleanliness of your smartphone’s speakers helps it function better and last longer.
Indications that your speakers need cleaning
- Muffled or distorted sound: Debris accumulation may be the cause if your speakers’ sound is not as clear as it once was.
- Low volume: A build-up of dirt can obstruct sound waves, resulting in a lower-than-normal audio output.
- Uneven sound quality: Variations in sound quality may be a sign that particles are causing interference to the speaker.
Turn off the device: First, safety first. To prevent unintentional damage or electric shock, turn off your phone. Remove any cords that are attached to the smartphone.
Brush away debris with a soft bristle brush: Lightly brush away any loose dust or debris from the speaker grills using a soft bristle brush. To avoid harming the speaker’s components, don’t apply excessive pressure.
Clean with a plastic tool or toothpick: To remove any lingering material, carefully put a toothpick or plastic cleaning tool into the speaker grills. Gently remove any loose particles using the tool. To avoid breaking the speakers, do not apply excessive pressure.
Use adhesive putty: Click Putty on the Speakers. Apply a tiny bit of sticky putty to the speaker grills with gentle pressure. To remove any tiny particles lodged in the grills, pull the putty away.

Front speakers
Over time, the front speaker of your smartphone—which is frequently used for calls, alerts, and media playback—can gather dust, debris, and other particles. You must clean this speaker properly to preserve sound quality and guarantee that your phone performs at its best.

Importance of cleaning front speakers
Clear audio: Debris can build up in the speaker grill, which reduces audio clarity and muffles sound. Maintaining regular cleaning will guarantee that calls, music, and alerts sound crystal clear on your phone.
Preventing damage: Dirt buildup may make the speaker’s internal parts work harder, which might result in wear and tear. You may lessen the chance of harm and extend the life of your gadget by keeping the speakers clean.
Clear look: A phone that is clean and well-maintained appears more enticing. Your device’s overall look may be negatively impacted by dirty or blocked speakers, giving the impression that it has been neglected. A phone that is well-maintained and has spotless speakers is probably going to sell for more money if you decide to trade it in or sell it.
How to clean the front speakers
Use a brush with soft bristles: Using a brush with soft bristles, gently clean the front speakers. To loosen any debris or dust, use gentle sweeping movements. To enable debris to fall away from the speaker, hold the phone at an angle.
Condensed air: Any last bits of debris should be blown off the speaker grille using a compressed air canister. To prevent moisture from the air canister seeping into the device, hold the canister upright and keep it 6 to 8 inches away from the speaker.
To avoid damaging the speaker, use brief spurts and avoid holding the nozzle too near to it.
Microfiber cloth: If needed, lightly moisten a microfiber cloth with isopropyl alcohol. To get rid of any smudges or leftover dirt, wipe the area surrounding the speakers. Steer clear of getting moisture within the speaker grille directly.
Glue paste (Optional): Apply a tiny bit of adhesive putty (such as Blu Tack) if the brush and compressed air are unable to remove any remaining particles. Press it gently against the speaker grille and lift it away. The putty can pull out particles without damaging the speaker. Test the putty on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t leave any residue.

Screen
You’re likely to see fingerprints and grease on the screen of your phone when a light source shines on it. However, that’s only the visible dirt, and there are usually much more germs and muck underneath. As the most frequently touched part of your phone, the screen is probably the dirtiest.

Importance of cleaning the screen
Germ buildup: Consistent handling of your smartphone screen can result in a notable build-up of bacteria, viruses, and germs. More germs can grow on smartphone screens than on toilet seats, according to studies.
Improved viewing: A spotless screen guarantees that you can view text, pictures, and videos without being distracted by fingerprints or smudges. This improves your entire experience, particularly while using your phone in strong light or watching high-definition video.
Debris and dirt: If your phone isn’t protected by a screen protector, over time, dirt, dust, and debris can harm the screen’s surface. Frequent screen cleaning aids in preventing these tiny scratches that may deteriorate the clarity and responsiveness of the screen.
Some things to think about before cleaning your screen:
- Use proper tools: Don’t clean the screen with your shirt. This will only clean out the grease or scratch the screen and won’t do any particular cleaning.
- No strong chemicals: To protect the screen’s covering, stay away from using strong chemicals like ammonia or window cleaners and even alcohol since it can remove the oleophobic coating that sits on top of the screen.
- Screen protectors: To reduce smudges and scratches and facilitate cleaning, think about utilizing a screen protector.
How to clean your screen:
Turn off the device: Switch off your smartphone to avoid unintentional inputs and to guarantee your safety when cleaning.
Use a microfiber cloth dry wipe: To remove any loose dust or debris, gently wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth. To achieve equal cleaning and prevent streaks, use a circular motion.
Use asolution for screen cleaning: Using water mixed with isopropyl alcohol or a screen cleaning solution, lightly moisten a corner of the microfiber cloth. To keep liquid from getting inside the gadget, never spray the solution directly onto the screen.
Carefully wipe the screen: Using the moistened cloth, carefully wipe the screen, paying particular attention to any fingerprints or smudges. Completely clean the screen’s corners and edges with the cloth.

Buttons and switches

If dirt gets stuck between the buttons and switches of your phone, you may experience issues such as unresponsive clicks or random button inputs. To clean these areas, use rubbing alcohol to reach into the tiny crevices where the hard dirt hides. Use a small pin to pry away any dirt that shows up, and your buttons will be as good as new.
Importance of cleaning buttons and switches
Responsive controls: Debris, dust, and dirt can collect around switches and buttons, making them sticky or unresponsive. Frequent cleaning maintains them responsive and in good working order.
Preventing interior damage: Trash can seep into the interior workings of switches and buttons, possibly damaging the electrical parts. Maintaining cleanliness in these regions aids in safeguarding your device’s internal circuitry.
How to:
Switch off your device: Make sure your smartphone is off before beginning the cleaning procedure to avoid any unintentional damage or short circuits..
First cleaning: Use a dry microfiber cloth to clean the buttons and switches and get rid of surface dust and dirt.
Solution of Isopropyl Alcohol: Use isopropyl alcohol to dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth or a cotton swab. Don’t get it completely soaked to keep moisture out of the gadget.
Wipe the switches and buttons with gentle care. Since it evaporates quickly, isopropyl alcohol won’t harm electronics.
Accurate cleaning: To clean the nooks and crannies surrounding buttons and switches, use cotton swabs. For better cleaning, dunk the swab into isopropyl alcohol for cleaning.
Use a toothpick or a soft-bristled brush to thoroughly remove any tenacious dirt or grime. Use caution so as not to damage the buttons or scratch the surface.
Condensed air: To remove any dust or dirt stuck in the microscopic gaps surrounding buttons and switches, use brief bursts of compressed air. To prevent condensation, hold the canister upright and keep a sufficient distance away.
Last cleaning: Use a dry microfiber cloth to give it one more wipe down after using alcohol to clean and remove any remaining dirt, being sure to leave no residue behind.

Camera
If you want to take stunning images, make sure you clean the dirt and smudges from your camera lenses. All you need to do is clean the outside of the lenses with a lens cloth or a microfiber cloth. This is because other types of cloth or paper towels may scratch the lenses and cause further damage.

Importance of cleaning the camera lenses
Clarity and sharpness: Sharpness and clarity in your images and videos are guaranteed with a clean lens. Your photos’ quality might be diminished by blurriness brought on by dust, fingerprints, and smudges. Smudges and dirt on the lens can cause color distortion, producing pixelated and uninteresting photos. The authentic hues of the scene you are photographing can be preserved by cleaning the lens.
Prevent damage: Frequent cleaning helps to avoid the accumulation of dirt and grime, which over time can scratch or harm the lens. Maintaining the integrity of the lens is aided by using the right cleaning supplies and procedures.
Better light: A dirty lens can reduce the amount of light that reaches the camera, which is particularly harmful when it’s dark outside. Better light capture from a clean lens enhances the quality of images captured in low light.
How to clean the camera lens
Switch off the device: Switch off your smartphone to prevent unintentional inputs and to guarantee your safety when cleaning.
Clear the dust: To get rid of any stray dust particles, blow on the lens gently or use a blower. Gently brush away any last bits of dust with a soft brush or a lens cleaning pen. As an alternative, utilize brief compressed air bursts to remove any remaining dust. To prevent condensation, hold the canister upright and keep a sufficient distance away.
Microfiber cloth: Use a tiny quantity of lens cleaning solution on a microfiber cloth if you’re using it. If you want to use isopropyl alcohol, use it to moisten a corner of the microfiber cloth. To stop fluids from leaking into the gadget, don’t saturate the towel.
Clean the lens: Using the wet microfiber towel, gently clean the camera lens in tiny, circular strokes. This keeps fingerprints, smudges, and other residues away from the lens without harming it.
Accurate cleaning: Use a cotton swab that has been gently wet with the cleaning solution or isopropyl alcohol to wipe the hard-to-reach regions around the lens. To prevent scratching or leaving fibers, be gentle. For accurate and delicate cleaning of the lens’s surface and edges, use the cleaning tip of a lens cleaning pen.
Drying: After cleaning, make sure the lens is totally dry by using a dry cotton swab or a dry portion of the microfiber cloth to wipe away any last traces of moisture.

Cleaning the case
You should take equal care to clean your phone case if you’re using it to protect your expensive smartphone. Cleaning your smartphone case on a regular basis guarantees that it stays hygienic as well as attractive. Cleaning with the right equipment and methods for your type of case will help you get rid of germs, grime, and filth. Maintaining your case in top shape can safeguard your smartphone and improve its appearance with routine care and mild cleaning procedures.
Leather: Use a moist towel dipped in a mix of water and mild hand soap to clean these kinds of cases. To remove really tenacious stains, you may alternatively use the cloth and a mild cleanser.
Plastic: For plastic, rubber, and silicone cases, let the case sit in a warm water and dish soap solution for a few minutes. You can try to remove any tough stains by gently cleaning them with a toothbrush. Use a microfiber towel to dry the casing.


