What You Need to Provide During Offboarding
When a device is returned as part of the offboarding process, we can perform secure Device Formatting before redeployment or storage.
To avoid delays, certain confirmations may be required from your side, depending on:
Whether the device is managed by MDM
The operating system (Windows or macOS)
MDM-based formatting is always recommended when available.
What You Need to Do
For each asset marked for Device Formatting, please:
Select Device Formatting during the offboarding order
When creating the offboarding order, make sure you explicitly mark that you want Device Formatting to be performed.Wait for the device to arrive at the warehouse
Required credentials should only be shared after the shipment has arrived at the warehouse.Reply to the Device Formatting request email
Once the device is received, you will get an email request from Dots. You must reply to this email with the required information listed below.Provide all required codes and credentials per asset
Information must be shared per asset, not per order or batch.
⏱ Important: Required information must be provided within 48 hours of the email request to avoid processing delays.
Required Information by Scenario
1️⃣ MDM-Based Formatting (Recommended)
If the device is enrolled in an MDM system (Intune, Jamf, Kandji, Mosyle, etc.):
What You Need to Do:
Trigger a remote wipe / erase command from your MDM.
Confirm the device remains enrolled in your MDM until wipe completion.
(macOS only) Confirm Activation Lock has been removed or is managed via Apple Business Manager.
What You Do NOT Need to Send:
User passwords
Administrator passwords
Recovery keys in advance
If a recovery screen appears during processing (e.g., BitLocker), we will contact you at that time to request the required key.
2️⃣ Manual Formatting (No MDM)
If the device is not managed by MDM, formatting is performed directly at the warehouse.
macOS Devices
Before return, please ensure:
Apple ID has been removed
Activation Lock is disabled
No administrator password is required in advance.
If the disk is locked during formatting, we will contact you if additional information is required.
Windows Devices
No credentials are required in advance.
If the device displays a BitLocker recovery screen during formatting, we will contact you to request the 48-digit recovery key.
Important Security Notes
🔐 We do not bypass built-in security protections such as:
BitLocker
Activation Lock
BIOS / Firmware passwords
🔑 We do not collect or store encryption recovery keys in advance.
📸 Devices are only marked as formatted after reaching the initial system setup screen and being visually documented.
Locked or Restricted Devices
Devices may be delayed if:
Activation Lock is enabled
BitLocker recovery key is unavailable
BIOS or firmware password is set
In such cases, our Support team will contact you with next steps.
Data Destruction Notice
Device Formatting follows operating system–level secure reset standards.
This is not a certified third-party physical destruction service.
If certified destruction is required for compliance reasons, please contact us in advance.
Need Help?
If you’re unsure which formatting method to choose or need help locating the required credentials, our Support team will be happy to assist you.