Delete personal data from smart glasses before return

Time needed about two hours, spread over two days

The steps

1. Open the companion app and locate galleryOpen the companion app on your phone or tablet and navigate to any gallery, recordings, history or media section to list what is stored on the device or queued for upload.You should see: You see a grid or list of photos and videos with timestamps or file names and a total count.
2. Export all media and metadataSelect and download all photos, videos and any available metadata or logs from the companion app to your computer or secure storage.You should see: Original media files and a metadata file (if offered) appear in your download folder with timestamps matching the companion app.
3. Delete uploaded copies in cloud servicesSign into Google Account, iCloud and any photo or social services you use, search for uploads from the glasses and delete them, then empty the service trash folders.You should see: No items from the device's date range appear in the photo libraries or their trash folders.
4. Revoke OAuth tokens for the companion appIn Google or Apple account security pages remove third-party access and revoke permissions for the companion app(s) so they cannot upload after you reset.You should see: The companion app no longer appears in the third-party access list in your account security pages.
5. Sign out and uninstall the companion appSign out of the companion app on your phone and uninstall it to remove local sync queues and stop background uploads.You should see: The app is signed out and removed from your phone's app list.
6. Send DSAR or deletion request to vendor and cloud providersUse the provided templates to submit a DSAR or deletion request to the vendor and to any cloud or third-party providers that hold copies, naming the account and device serial.You should see: You receive an acknowledgement and, later, a written deletion confirmation that names the account and device or lists record IDs.
7. Compare vendor deletion confirmation to your exportMatch items listed in the vendor's deletion confirmation or certificate against your exported files to ensure the same records are covered.You should see: The confirmation references items or identifiers that match files in your export.
8. Take a controlled test capture and check for uploadsMake one controlled photo or short recording on the glasses and check the vendor portal and cloud services for any new uploads.You should see: The controlled capture does not appear in the vendor portal, cloud accounts or third-party services.
9. Factory reset the glassesPerform the official factory reset procedure for your exact model following the vendor instructions.You should see: The device restarts as new and prompts for initial setup.
10. Remove the device from account listsRemove the glasses from the vendor account and from your Apple or Google device lists so the device is no longer linked to your accounts.You should see: The device no longer appears in the vendor account device list or in your Apple/Google device lists.
11. Archive exports and all correspondenceStore exported files, the deletion confirmation and all support correspondence in a secure folder and record dates and ticket numbers in a short log.You should see: You have a folder with exported media, a text file noting ticket numbers and dates, and the vendor deletion confirmation saved.

How to delete data from my smart glasses

Delete everything by doing three tasks in sequence: export the originals you want to keep, send deletion or DSAR requests to every vendor and cloud that holds copies, then verify removal with a dated written confirmation and a live test before you factory-reset the device.

Keep exports and all vendor replies together so you can prove what was removed.

What counts as data from your smart glasses and where it hides

Data includes on-device photos and video, any captured audio, sensor telemetry, companion-app logs, vendor cloud backups, and copies third parties may have pulled. Treat each storage location separately because deleting one copy never removes copies elsewhere.

Check the device gallery, the companion app, the vendor cloud account, phone backups (iCloud or Google), and any third-party services you linked.

• On-device files: gallery and internal storage visible in the companion app.
• Companion app: app gallery exports, logs and sync queues.
• Vendor cloud: account-based backups, analytics and device logs.
• Phone backups: iCloud or Google backups that may include app data.
• Third-party apps: photo services, social networks and assistant transcripts.

The three-step process you must follow

Do these in order: locate and export originals, submit deletion requests (a DSAR where applicable) to every vendor and cloud provider naming the account and device, then verify removal with written proof and a controlled test. The order matters because a reset is irreversible.

Export first so you have material to match against vendor replies.

• Locate: find media, logs and account links.
• Export: download originals and metadata to your own storage.
• Demand deletion: send precise requests to every account that stores copies.
• Verify: compare exports to vendor proof and run a live upload test.

Ray‑Ban Meta — where your data lives and what to do

Ray‑Ban Meta commonly syncs photos and video through its companion app to vendor accounts or linked social services. Export every item from the companion app gallery, then request deletion from the vendor account and from any social service you linked, and revoke those app authorisations.

Open the Ray‑Ban companion app, export media to local storage, then request deletion naming the device serial or account email and ask for a dated confirmation.

• Export: save all gallery items from the companion app to your computer.
• Cloud deletion: request the vendor remove stored media and logs tied to the device or account.
• Revoke: unlink social services and remove app permissions on those platforms.

XREAL and Android‑based glasses (XREAL, Android XR) — what to check

XREAL and other Android XR devices keep media in the companion app and may use Google services for backups and sync. Export gallery items, check Google Photos and Drive for uploads, then revoke OAuth tokens and ask the vendor and Google to delete any backups tied to the device.

Look in the companion app settings for cloud or Nebula options, export files, then empty any trash in Google Photos or Drive after deletion.

• Export companion-app media to local storage.
• Revoke app tokens in Google Account > Security > Third-party access.
• Search Google Photos/Drive for recent uploads and delete plus empty trash.

Even Realities G1, Rokid and Vuzix — workplace and consumer variants

These devices pair with vendor apps that may store media or telemetry in vendor clouds or a corporate account. Export media from the companion app, then ask the vendor or your IT admin to delete telemetry and device logs, identifying the device by serial number or account email.

If your glasses were issued by an employer, involve IT so they confirm deletion in writing. For consumer devices, use vendor support and include serial and account details.

• Export gallery and recordings from the companion app or device filesystem.
• Name the device serial and account email when requesting deletion.
• If corporate-managed, get written confirmation from the IT admin.

Apple Vision Pro — iCloud, Apple ID and what to ask Apple

Vision Pro data ties to your Apple ID and iCloud. Export media and app data, then use Apple's Data & Privacy portal to request a copy and deletion, and ask Apple for a confirmation that references your Apple ID and the Vision device.

After you receive deletion proof, remove the Vision device from your Apple ID device list.

• Export media from Vision apps to local storage or Photos.
• Request data and deletion through Apple's privacy portal, naming your Apple ID and the device.
• Remove the Vision device from your Apple ID after you have deletion proof.

Templates: DSAR and deletion request you can copy

Send a DSAR or deletion request to every vendor and cloud provider that stores your data. Include your account email, the device serial, the device name, and ask for a dated confirmation that lists deleted records or a deletion certificate. Use the vendor's recorded support channel.

Keep copies of the sent request and any replies as your evidence.

• DSAR template: To: [vendor support email] Subject: Data access and deletion request for device [serial or account email] I am the account owner for [account email]. Please provide a full copy of all personal data associated with device serial [serial] and account [email]. After I receive the export, please delete all such data and confirm by return email, listing the records deleted and the date. Sincerely, [Your name]
• Deletion-only template: To: [vendor support] Subject: Deletion request for device [serial] Please delete all personal data, media, logs, and telemetry associated with device serial [serial] and account [email]. Please confirm by email the deletion and provide either (a) record identifiers deleted or (b) a deletion certificate with date and scope. Retain my request and your reply as proof. Thank you, [Your name]

Revoke tokens, unlink apps and erase phone backups

Revoke OAuth tokens and unlink apps before resetting because companion apps and backups will keep uploading copies. Remove third-party access in Google or Apple account settings, sign out and uninstall the companion app, then delete app data from iCloud or Google backups and empty trash folders.

Do this step after exporting and before you send deletion requests or factory-reset.

• Revoke OAuth tokens for the companion app in your Google or Apple account security pages.
• Sign out of the companion app and uninstall it from your phone.
• Delete and empty trash in cloud photo libraries to complete removal.

How to verify deletion actually happened

Verify with written proof plus a live spot test. Accept only a dated written confirmation that names the account and device and lists record IDs or supplies a deletion certificate. Then compare the vendor export to that confirmation and run a controlled capture to check it does not reappear in the vendor portal.

If the controlled capture appears, do not reset the device and escalate with the vendor.

• Acceptable proof: a dated confirmation naming the account and device and listing identifiers or a deletion certificate.
• Practical test: take one controlled photo and check vendor and cloud accounts for any new upload.
• If available, check account activity logs for deletion timestamps.

When a vendor refuses or offers partial deletion

If a vendor refuses full deletion, ask for a written explanation saying which data they will retain, why, and for how long. Request the legal basis for retention and a scoped retention schedule, and ask them to show that personal identifiers were removed from analytics.

Preserve all correspondence and exported files; use them if you escalate to a regulator.

• Request a written rationale and the legal basis for any retention.
• Ask for minimized scope and proof that personal identifiers were removed from analytics.
• If unresolved, file a regulator complaint and keep your exports plus correspondence.

How this fails in practice and what goes wrong first

Common failures start when users factory-reset first, leaving cloud copies intact, then receive vague 'deleted' replies without device identifiers. The result is no export to compare and no proof. The fix is discipline: export first, demand identifiers in confirmations, and run a post-deletion upload test.

Follow that sequence to avoid relying on verbal assurances.

• Skipped export: you cannot show what was removed.
• Vague vendor replies: no device or record identifiers provided.
• Unrevoked tokens: companion apps keep uploading after reset.

Pre-return checklist and one-page cheat sheet

Before you pack the glasses for return: export originals, revoke tokens and uninstall apps, request deletion from vendor and cloud providers, verify with proof and a test capture, then factory-reset and remove the device from account lists. Keep a single archive of exports and all vendor replies.

Only reset after you have deletion confirmation that names the device and records.

• Export all media and metadata to your computer and archive it.
• Revoke app tokens in Google/Apple and uninstall the companion app.
• Send deletion request templates to vendor and cloud providers.
• Obtain deletion confirmation naming the account and device or record IDs.
• Run a post-deletion test capture, then factory-reset and remove the device from accounts.

Where this usually goes wrong

• You factory-reset the device but photos still appear in the vendor portal or cloudCloud copies or backups were never deleted; factory reset cleared only on-device storage.Restore your exported list, contact the vendor with the serial number and demand deletion proof that names the records; escalate to the regulator if necessary.
• Vendor replies 'data deleted' with no identifiers and you cannot confirmVendors sometimes send boilerplate confirmations that don't reference device or record IDs.Reply asking for a deletion certificate that lists the device serial or record identifiers and the date. If they refuse, preserve the initial export and escalate.
• Third-party apps still show copies after vendor deletionThird parties hold independent copies obtained via API or user sharing.Contact each third party with the deletion template, provide exported examples, revoke the app token and request deletion; check the service's trash.
• Companion app keeps re-uploading after resetYou did not revoke OAuth tokens or uninstall the app before resetting.Revoke tokens in your Google/Apple account, uninstall the companion app, then perform the factory reset before reinstalling.

The checklist

• Open the companion app and locate gallery
• Export all media and metadata
• Delete uploaded copies in cloud services
• Revoke OAuth tokens for the companion app
• Sign out and uninstall the companion app
• Send DSAR or deletion request to vendor and cloud providers
• Compare vendor deletion confirmation to your export
• Take a controlled test capture and check for uploads
• Factory reset the glasses
• Remove the device from account lists
• Archive exports and all correspondence

Frequently asked questions