How to completely remove traces of info from iPhone?

[xTRIGGER092x]

So, with iOS 5 and all the added features, restoring an iPhone to sell is a bit more difficult; there's more info to find and get rid of.

I restored the phone using iTunes and then went through the initial iOS 5 setup process (so the buyer could go straight to the home screen, put their SIM in, and go) without enabling anything/signing in. However, I guess because I restored through iTunes, there was traces of my info; my Apple ID email was displayed in all the settings that required it. So, I removed the account from (as far as I know), everything that needed it. However, under Wi-Fi Sync, my computer name is still there. If I do another restore via the Settings app, will every single trace of my account be removed?

 

[Pooshka]

So, with iOS 5 and all the added features, restoring an iPhone to sell is a bit more difficult; there's more info to find and get rid of.

I restored the phone using iTunes STOP and then went through the initial iOS 5 setup process (so the buyer could go straight to the home screen, put their SIM in, and go) without enabling anything/signing in. However, I guess because I restored through iTunes, there was traces of my info; my Apple ID email was displayed in all the settings that required it. So, I removed the account. However, under Wi-Fi Sync, my computer name is still there. If I do another restore via the Settings app, will every single trace of my account be removed?

Stop right there. Let the buyer do the rest. There's absolutely no need to go through the setup process. It's not even a 10-second process anyway. Plus, being the buyer, I'd want to make sure to go through those steps myself.

 

[xTRIGGER092x]

Stop right there. Let the buyer do the rest. There's absolutely no need to go through the setup process. It's not even a 10-second process anyway. Plus, being the buyer, I'd want to make sure to go through those steps myself.

Had I not gone through the process, my Apple ID data would still be on there. I didn't sign into my Apple ID at all during the setup.

 

[Pooshka]

Had I not gone through the process, my Apple ID data would still be on there. I didn't sign into my Apple ID at all during the setup.

Your Apple ID was still there because you connected the iPhone to iTunes at some point after restoring, correct? If yes, do not connect, and the info will never show up on the device.

Follow these steps: after restoring, disconnect from iTunes, set up as normal, go to Settings, General, Reset, Erase All Content and Settings. You're done.

 

[xTRIGGER092x]

Your Apple ID was still there because you connected the iPhone to iTunes at some point after restoring, correct? If yes, do not connect, and the info will never show up on the device.

Follow these steps: after restoring, disconnect from iTunes, set up as normal, go to Settings, General, Reset, Erase All Content and Settings. You're done.

Got it, thanks.

I also have an iPhone 3G I plan to sell, and I went through the same process I did for the iPhone 4. How do I go about restoring this one, considering iTunes is required?

 

[mopatops]

Also remove your sim card before backing up as found in this thread. It's a long story but they found that the buyer was able to send iMessages using the sellers number because the phone had retrieved the mobile number from the sim immediately after the restore. It's a good read if you have the time