4 things to do before selling an Amazon device

💡 Need to know

• Back up first—A factory reset can erase anything that hasn’t synced somewhere else.
• Reset and deregister—The next owner shouldn’t inherit the current account or settings.
• Ring is different—Transfer ownership in the Ring app; a reset alone won’t release it.

Selling an Amazon® device feels pretty simple until it’s time to answer the important question: is everything personal actually off of it?

Asurion Experts help people set up, reset, and move on from their tech every day. Before an Amazon device changes hands, here are the 5 things we'd recommend you do.

1. Back up anything you want to keep

Start here, because there’s no undo button once unsynced data is erased.

What needs attention depends on the device. A Kindle® should be connected to Wi-Fi long enough to sync reading progress, notes, and highlights. A Fire tablet may have personal photos, downloads, documents, or app data that need a separate backup. Ring™ users should save any recordings they want to keep before changing ownership or closing out a subscription.

Amazon recommends backing up applicable devices before a factory reset, especially if settings or content will be restored on another compatible device later.

For a Fire tablet, our guide to backing up data on an Amazon Fire tablet covers the built-in cloud option.

2. Factory reset the device

A factory reset clears local personal data and returns the device to a setup-ready state. The exact path depends on what’s being sold.

• To factory reset a Kindle: open Quick Actions or Menu > Settings or All Settings > Device Options > Factory Reset, then confirm.
• To factory reset a Fire tablet: open Settings > Device Options or Device & Software > Reset to Factory Defaults > Reset.
• To factory reset a Fire TV™: open Settings > My Fire TV or Device & Software > Reset to Factory Defaults, then confirm.
• To factory reset an Echo®: reset steps vary by model. The Amazon Alexa app may offer Devices > Echo & Alexa > [device] > Factory Reset, or the speaker may use a model-specific button combination.

Don’t rush through the restart that follows. Wait until the device reaches its welcome or setup screen before deciding the reset finished.

3. Make sure it’s no longer tied to the old account

Amazon recommends both removing personal content and deregistering devices before trade-in or recycling.

Some factory resets handle deregistration automatically. Kindle and Fire tablet resets, for example, remove the device’s Amazon account registration as part of the process. It’s still worth opening Amazon’s Manage Your Content and Devices page afterward and checking the device list.

If the device still appears registered when it shouldn’t, deregister it there before handing it over.

That final check takes about a minute and is much easier than trying to straighten out account ownership after the buyer has already left.

4. Give the device one last new owner check

Do one final check. It should not show the seller’s name, account, library, photos, home Wi-Fi, or smart-home setup. Remove any microSD card or other removable storage that isn’t part of the sale, wipe down the exterior, and gather whatever charger, remote, mounting hardware, or cable is being included.

If it boots to the first-time setup screen and the old account no longer lists it as registered, that’s the handoff everyone wants—boring, clean, and with no surprise family photo slideshow.

Selling a Ring device is slightly different

Ring doorbells and cameras have their own ownership system and require a few more steps. Our guide to transferring a Ring doorbell to a new owner covers the handoff in more detail.

FAQ

Should I deregister an Amazon device before selling it?

Yes. Amazon recommends factory resetting and deregistering devices before they’re sold, traded in, or recycled.

Does a factory reset remove my Amazon account?

It removes the account registration from supported devices such as Kindle and Fire tablet. It does not delete the Amazon account itself.

Will factory resetting delete my Amazon purchases?

No. Purchases tied to the Amazon account remain with that account, though downloaded copies on the device are erased.

Do I need to factory reset a Ring doorbell before selling it?

The bigger requirement is transferring or removing ownership in the Ring app. A factory reset by itself does not release the Ring doorbell from the current owner.

What should I remove from an Amazon device before selling it?

Personal files, account registration, saved settings, removable storage, and anything else the next owner shouldn’t receive.