Free electronics near you: how to give or get a working device safely

Test it before you list it

Switch the device on, run it for a few minutes and try the main functions: the screen, charging port, buttons, speakers, Wi-Fi, and the battery holding a charge. Say honestly in the listing what works and what does not. "Laptop works, battery lasts about an hour" is a good description; the person collecting knows exactly what to expect.

Include the charger or cable if you have it. A device without its charger is much harder to give away.

Wipe your data and remove your accounts

Back up what you need, sign out of every account (Google, Apple, Microsoft and any app stores), and then do a full factory reset. On phones and tablets, switch off the account-lock features such as Find My or Google’s device protection before resetting, otherwise the next owner may be locked out of the device.

On a laptop, a reset that also clears the drive is better than just deleting files. If the device holds anything sensitive and you are unsure, keep the storage drive and give the rest.

If you are the one collecting: check before you leave

Meet in a public spot or at the building gate, and ask to see the device switch on. Check that it is not locked to another person’s account, and look at the battery and charger for swelling, burns or exposed wires. If anything looks unsafe, it is fine to say no.

When a device is broken or too old

Do not give away something that is unsafe, such as a swollen battery or a frayed charger. Electronics that no longer work should go to an authorised e-waste recycler or a brand take-back programme, not the general bin or a street scrap dealer. Under India’s e-waste rules, producers are responsible for collection and recycling, so many brands and recyclers accept old devices; ask for a receipt.

Frequently asked questions