Getting the best price and protecting your data starts with a clear, reliable process you can follow step by step. Back up your iPhone, sign out of your Apple account, erase all personal data, and remove accessories and SIM/eSIM to ensure a secure and smooth sale.
This checklist walks you through the essential actions—creating a backup, transferring information, unpairing devices, and wiping the phone—so you don’t miss anything that could lower value or expose personal data.
You’ll also get the final tasks to complete before handing the device over, such as verifying Activation Lock is off, removing payment cards, and preparing the phone’s appearance for a better trade-in offer.
Essential Steps to Prepare Your iPhone for Sale
Complete these items to protect your data and make the device ready for the next owner: back up everything you need, remove your account access, disable device locks, and wipe the phone clean.
Back Up Your Data
Create a full backup so you keep photos, messages, app data, and settings. For an iCloud backup, connect to Wi‑Fi, open Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then tap Back Up Now. Confirm the backup finished by checking Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup shows a recent date and time.
If you prefer a local computer backup, connect the iPhone to a Mac (Finder) or Windows PC (iTunes). Choose “Back Up Now” and enable “Encrypt local backup” if you want saved passwords, Health, and Home data. Keep the computer backup until you verify the new device has all content.
Export any extra files you need separately: save photos to a folder, export contacts as a vCard, and copy important files from app folders. Verify iMessage and FaceTime transfer by signing into your new device before erasing the old one.
Sign Out of iCloud and Apple ID
Signing out removes your Apple ID from the device and prevents iCloud syncing after sale. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down, and choose Sign Out. You’ll be prompted for your Apple ID password—enter it to disable iCloud services on the phone.
When signing out, pick whether to keep a local copy of Contacts, Calendars, and Safari data. You normally don’t need to keep copies on the old device if you already backed up or transferred everything to your new iPhone. After sign-out, confirm Mail, Contacts, and Calendar accounts linked to Apple ID are removed.
Also sign out of key third‑party apps that hold sensitive data (banking, email apps, social apps). Remove saved passwords in Settings > Passwords if you used the device’s autofill. Finally, remove the device from your list of trusted devices at appleid.apple.com if you won’t have the phone nearby.
Turn Off Find My iPhone and Activation Lock
Turning off Find My iPhone disables Activation Lock so the buyer can activate the device. Go to Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone, and toggle it off. You’ll need your Apple ID password to confirm.
If you can’t access the phone, sign in at iCloud.com > Find iPhone > All Devices, select the device, and choose Remove from Account to clear Activation Lock remotely. Confirm the device no longer appears under your account’s Devices list at appleid.apple.com. Leaving Activation Lock enabled will block the new owner from using the iPhone.
For devices with eSIMs, delete the eSIM from Settings > Cellular before selling. Remove any physical SIM card as well. These steps ensure no carrier ties or location tracking remain on the phone.
Erase All Content and Settings
After backing up and removing accounts, perform a factory reset to remove personal data. Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your passcode and Apple ID password when prompted to confirm. The phone will reboot to the setup screen.
If you used a local computer backup, verify the backup integrity before erasing. For additional safety, remove the device from your Apple ID devices list after the reset. Check the phone’s storage and settings screens afterward to ensure iCloud, Mail, and other accounts are gone.
Clean the physical device and remove accessories, but do not turn it on long enough for activation once erased if you plan to ship it; leave it at the initial setup screen so the buyer can activate it.
Final Actions Before Selling or Trading In
Complete these last checks to protect your data, prevent activation issues, and get the best trade-in offer. Remove physical items, disconnect paired devices, stop platform-specific messaging, and take steps that buyers and trade-in services expect.
Remove SIM Card and Accessories
Remove the SIM card to prevent the next owner from accessing your phone number or carrier account. Power down the iPhone, use the SIM-eject tool (or a small paperclip), and eject the tray; keep your SIM or destroy it if you won’t reuse the number. If your device used an eSIM, choose the option to erase the eSIM profile when you tap Erase All Content and Settings or contact your carrier to transfer service.
Also remove cases, screen protectors, microSD cards (if any adapter), and any third-party accessories. Clean the phone and include original cables or boxes if you plan to sell privately—these often increase buyer confidence and can slightly improve your trade-in value.
Unpair Apple Watch and Bluetooth Devices
Unpair your Apple Watch from the iPhone before erasing the phone. Open the Watch app, tap your watch, then Unpair Apple Watch; this automatically backs up the watch and disables Activation Lock. If you no longer have the iPhone, erase the watch directly from the device and remove it from your Apple ID via iCloud.
Remove other Bluetooth pairings by going to Settings > Bluetooth, tapping the info icon next to each device, and choosing Forget This Device. This prevents automatic reconnects and removes credentials stored on the phone that could cause confusion for the new owner.
Deregister iMessage if Switching Platforms
If you’re moving to a non-Apple phone, deregister iMessage to avoid missed SMS texts. If you still have the iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage; then sign out of your Apple ID in Settings to complete the removal. If you’ve already switched and no longer have the iPhone, deregister iMessage online at Apple’s deregistration page or follow the carrier’s guidance to ensure SMS delivery.
Also remove your phone number from FaceTime by turning FaceTime off in Settings. Confirm contacts can reach you on your new device before handing the iPhone to a buyer or mailing it to a trade-in service.
Maximize Your Trade-In Value
Prepare documentation and clean the device to get the best quote from Apple Trade In or third-party buyers. Note the exact model, storage size, and whether you have original accessories; list any screen cracks, battery health percentage, and cosmetic wear honestly when requesting an online estimate. Backing up and restoring to factory settings is required for most trade-in programs and prevents delays.
Compare offers from Apple Trade In and at least two reseller sites or local buyers. You can increase value by including original charger and box, replacing a cracked screen (if repair cost is lower than the increase in offer), and verifying Activation Lock is off. Keep a screenshot or confirmation email of the final trade-in value and follow the buyer’s shipping instructions to avoid reduced payment.