Please note that these instructions refer to using OWA on Exchange server 2010, not the more recent Exchange server 2013. For the latest OWA instructions, please see Using Outlook Web App. If you are not sure which version of OWA you are using, please refer to this document.

How to remotely wipe your Android Device via Exchange OWA

This how-to is for informational purposes only. Unintentional wiping of your device, and accidental loss of data is your responsibility. We recommend backing up data on your Android device to your PC or Mac on a regular basis. Additionally, in order for remote wipe using OWA to work, your Android device will need connectivity to your cellular carrier. Therefore, you will need to use this functionality prior to canceling or suspending your service with your cellular carrier. This remote wipe feature will also work if your Android device is connected to Wi-Fi, however, once the device is out of range of a known Wi-Fi connection and loses network connectivity, you will lose the ability to initiate a remote wipe.

These instructions will enable you to wipe the data from your Android device and restore it to factory settings in case your device is stolen or your device has been misplaced or lost.

Prerequisites

1. Your Android device must be running Android OS 2.2 or greater. Please check the device OS version by going to Settings > About phone and looking at "Firmware version". If your device does not have Android OS 2.2 installed, please go to System updates to check for over-the-air (OTA) updates for your device.
   
2. You will need an MIT Exchange account. If you do not yet have an MIT Exchange account, please send an email to helpdesk@mit.edu. If you are currently using MIT's IMAP email service, your email and calendar entries will be migrated to the Exchange server.
   
3. You will need to add your MIT Exchange account to your Android device. To do so, please use the directions on the following MIT documentation found here: General Settings for MIT Exchange on Android

Once you've setup your MIT Exchange account on your Android device, you should be able to remotely wipe your device via OWA.

Please note that support for functionality may vary among the Android devices available, and therefore do not guarantee the ability to remote wipe every Android device.

Instructions

1. Use your preferred browser to visit http://owa.mit.edu, and log in using your Kerberos username and password.
   
2. On the top right, select Options and then select See All Options....
   
   
3. Once you are in Options, select Phone from the pane on the left.
   
   
4. Select your Android device from the list of registered devices and click Wipe Device.
   
   Note: If you have more than one device set up using MIT Exchange that support remote wiping, you may have to discriminate between the devices listed based on serial numbers or other identifying information.
5. A window should pop up asking you to confirm that you want to wipe all of the data from your device. Press Yes.
   Result: Your device should begin the wiping process.
   
   
   
6. You will receive an email confirmation of the device wipe.
   

Once the remote wipe has been initiated, it cannot be stopped. Therefore, use this function at your own risk. If you were to find your Android device after it has been wiped, you can always plug it back into your PC or Mac and restore your data, assuming you've made a recent backup.