Is it safe to switch on my smartphone to perform a factory reset when it looks like this?

MothballsWallet

Hello everyone,

I want to recycle my old smartphone because after having the battery replaced last year, it's battery life got worse and the side seam around the buttons started to split. It now looks like this:



Please don't yell at me but I stupidly left it on a south-facing window sill for too long but we had to deal with a family emergency away from home on very short notice and I forgot to move it to a cooler, dry, place.

I should factory reset it before recycling it but my question is: will it be safe to switch it on for the short time it will take to perform the factory reset?

flaneurs_lobster

I'm wondering if the power button on the case will still engage with the internal switch.

I'd risk turning it on, but I'd be doing it outdoors. Not sure that I'd want to try and charge it if there's not enough power there to boot it.

Where were you planning to recycle? Will they still take the phone if it's been busted down to bits with a hammer?

Newcad

Looks like the battery has 'blown', I wouldn't try to turn it on because doing so may cause a fire.

In that state you probably don't want to keep it in the house, outside in a metal bucket away from buildings may be best. (Cover it to keep the rain off).

See this (but don't turn it on to run it down): https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/What_to_do_with_a_swollen_battery#Section_How_to_safely_remove_a_swollen_battery

If you are not sure about disposing of it then contact your local fire station who will be happy to sdvise.
Not an emergency call, unless it does catch fire, use their non-emergency advice number: https://fireengland.uk/your-fire-and-rescue-service/find-your-service

I wouldn't worry much about a factory reset either, unless your are a MP or work in a sensitive position then I doubt anyone is going to be interested in trying to get it working and get your contacts etc.
Once the damaged battery is safely out then you could smash it into pieces with a hammer or a brick if you want to?

Just dispose of it sensibly as e-waste and not in the general rubbish, even undamaged batteries can catch file when crushed in a bin wagon, it's an big problem.

GDB2222

I would try to prise the case apart using a couple of long screwdrivers. (I'd do this outside.) Then I'd try to separate the battery from the electronics. Once you've done that, you can safely smash the electronic bits up enough that nobody is going to steal your data. 

Undervalued

You could safely fully discharge the battery by putting the phone in a bucket of salt water and leaving it for several days. Salt is important as pure water does not conduct electricity well (or at all if truly pure)!

You should see it bubble gently. This is Hydrogen gas (highly flammable) so do it outside!

If you are in any way bothered about data security I'd remove the battery (once discharged) then smash the phone with a big hammer!

MothballsWallet

Thank you everyone - as @Newcad suggested, I'll contact our local fire service via that link and ask for their advice.