How to clean your device


Border Alert!


It is best to remove all client information from your device before getting to the airport, port, or border. When files are stored on the cloud, make sure that everything has been uploaded and no forgotten files remain on the device. Have a unique password to access your cloud-stored information. Consider using encryption software as added security.

You will still need to upload your email and phone contact lists and erase your browsing history, cache, and cookies. Once uploaded, you can delete everything by doing a factory re-set. The process you follow is the same as the one people use when they are cleaning a phone or other device before selling it. You can find the specific information for your device on the Internet. The key is to transfer what you need to save to a device that is not travelling with you, or to the cloud, and then delete everything.

  • For an iPhone, you can transfer all data from your phone to the computer that you are leaving in Canada.
    • Connect your phone to your computer via a USB cable.
    • Go to iTunes.
    • Follow the directions to upload the phone data.
    • Go to “factory re-set” after the data has all been uploaded.
    • Clear your phone.
    • Re-load some of your most-used apps, such as Spotify, if you wish.
    • Put in airplane mode.
  • For any other Smartphone, the process is usually something like this –
    • Go to Settings.
    • Look for Back-up and Reset. Follow the steps to back-up all the information to your office computer or cloud storage.
    • Erase the data.
    • Re-load some of your most-used apps, such as Spotify, if you wish.
    • Put in airplane mode.

It may seem easier to get a new phone to use when you travel. Remember, though, that once you use it for client business out of Canada, you will need to clean it before you go on your next trip. Like many computer-related tasks, the first few times you clean your device may seem challenging and time-consuming. After a few times, you will be able to do it in less than 10 minutes.