Should I factory reset my Garmin watch before selling it?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have a couple of Garmin watches I’m going to put up for sale. I wasn’t sure if I should factory reset them before selling? There’s lots of updates that have been downloaded so I wasn’t sure. I don’t know if I can just remove them from Garmin Express or Garmin Connect and that is enough?

2

Only sold a couple but never had done anything more than remove from Connect and Express. Figured I would save them the trouble of the multiple updates.

3

do factory resets remove firmware updates or just wipe the settings and workout data on the device?

4

I’d wipe it, mostly to be sure I was deleting any GPS information(*). Two reasons -

  1. Privacy. I don’t want some random dude with that much info about where I’ve been
  2. The new owner could upload my workouts and get my KOMs!

*I’ve never sold a Garmin and haven’t really looked into it, so maybe a wipe doesn’t even do this reliably.
Cheers!

5

The reset will only clear out your settings/customizations. It will leave the firmware updates in place.

Jon

6

I’d wipe it, mostly to be sure I was deleting any GPS information(*). Two reasons -

  1. Privacy. I don’t want some random dude with that much info about where I’ve been
  2. The new owner could upload my workouts and get my KOMs!

*I’ve never sold a Garmin and haven’t really looked into it, so maybe a wipe doesn’t even do this reliably.
Cheers!

This happened when i bought a buddies 510. I just got my first bike, had been riding for a total of maybe a week and all the sudden i have all of his files on my strava. Reset it for sure, it was a pain to delete everything. I did look pretty solid on strava for a bit though :slight_smile:

7

Depends how fast you are.

8

You cant let them see your gainz bruh
.

9

thanks guys, I’ll reset them then.

10

I got an Edge that was refurbished. Ended up uploading a bunch of rides in Houston (I am in SF) and making some Strava friends in TX!

If you wipe the data, you may be negatively impacting the purchaser’s social life.

11

Certainly. For the reasons of privacy and security.
You wouldnt a car Sat Nav without removing certain historical information, so same concept applies.

I’d contact Garmin possibly, and ask them for their best practices. I’m sure they would be happy to advise.