At the National Device Bank, our mission is to ensure every usable device donated to us can be refurbished and redistributed to someone in need, helping close the digital divide across Australia. For that to happen, devices need to be fully accessible and ready for a new user. One common barrier to this is an MDM lock.
What is an MDM Lock?
An MDM lock (Mobile Device Management lock) is a security feature used by organisations to manage and protect corporate or school-owned devices. It lets information technology teams enforce policies, install updates, and wipe devices if they’re lost or stolen.
While this is useful for organisational security, an active MDM lock prevents refurbishment teams from accessing the device’s settings, clearing old data and preparing it for reuse. This means a device with an MDM lock often cannot be reused and instead ends up in recycling or e-waste even though it could have served someone who needs it
Why Removing MDM Locks Helps Maximise Your Donation
When you remove MDM locks before donating, you:
- Enable refurbishment: Technicians can securely clear data and prepare the device for a new user.
- Increase usability: Fully accessible devices can be repurposed for education, job seeking, healthcare access and more.
- Save resources: Refurbishment teams spend less time troubleshooting locks and more time getting devices into hands
- Reduce e-waste: Locked devices often end up recycled even if they still have years of life left. Most of these could instead serve someone in need
- Boost social impact: Each unlocked device becomes an opportunity, for learning, employment and connection
How to Check and Remove MDM Locks Before Donation
Before donating devices to the National Device Bank:
For Apple devices:
Check under Settings > General > Device Management or VPN & Device Management. If you see a profile here, the device is likely managed by an MDM system
For Windows devices:
Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. If there’s a connection listed, it may be under MDM control
If a device is managed, the easiest and most secure way to remove the lock is to contact your IT administrator and request removal before donating. This ensures the device can be fully prepared for reuse
Your Donation Makes a Bigger Impact
Every device we receive with an active MDM lock is one more device we cannot repurpose for someone who needs it. By spending a few minutes to remove locks before donation, you help increase the positive impact of your contribution and expand digital access for students, jobseekers, families and communities.
If you have questions about preparing your devices or need support, our team at the National Device Bank is here to help every step of the way.
