Before selling an iPhone, back up your data, unpair connected devices, sign out of your Apple Account, erase the phone and confirm the SIM and carrier status. Apple’s guidance follows this order: transfer your information to the new device first. Then remove your personal information from the old one. The order matters because each step protects something different. The backup protects your photos, messages, and app data. Unpairing the Apple Watch and signing out of Find My release the devices tied to your account.
Erasing the phone clears your data and turns off Activation Lock. The feature that blocks the next owner from setting up the iPhone. Leaving Activation Lock on is the most expensive mistake. Because a reply on Apple’s support forum says Apple does not accept an Activation Locked iPhone for Trade In and values it at zero dollars. The SIM and carrier checks come last, since a locked or unpaid phone sells for less. This guide covers all 10 steps, then compares selling channels and explains how to sell an old iPhone 17 or an iPhone 18 Pro-series model for cash and all other devices.
What are the steps to take before selling your iPhone?
Complete these 10 steps in order. Apple’s own guidance follows the same sequence: transfer information to your new device first, then remove personal information from the old one.
- Back up the iPhone to iCloud, or to a Mac or PC.
- Transfer your data to the new device.
- Unpair your Apple Watch.
- Sign out of your Apple Account and turn off Find My.
- Remove your cards from Apple Pay.
- Erase the iPhone with Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Confirm the phone shows the “Hello” setup screen.
- Remove the physical SIM, or ask your carrier about the eSIM.
- Check that the phone is carrier-unlocked and fully paid off.
- Check battery health and condition, then photograph the phone.
Two exceptions apply. If you are trading in at an Apple Store, stop before erasing the device. A Specialist completes the remaining steps with you in the store. Also, switching to Android requires one extra step, covered in the FAQ below.
Why does Activation Lock matter when selling an iPhone?
Activation Lock ties the iPhone to your Apple Account and blocks the next owner from setting it up. Signing out of Find My and erasing the phone turns it off. Erasing the device turns off both Find My and Activation Lock.
The financial cost is direct. According to a reply on Apple’s support forum, Apple does not accept an Activation Locked iPhone for Trade In, and it is worth zero dollars. The same thread gives a quick check: once the “Hello” screen appears, the iPhone is properly wiped. If the screen instead says the phone is locked to an owner, enter your Apple Account credentials to remove the lock.
How do you back up and transfer data before selling?
Create a full backup first, then move your data to the new phone before erasing anything. Apple notes that a backup lets you copy and save the information on your iPhone. A free iCloud account includes 5 GB of storage, so a phone with 256 GB or more often needs a paid plan or a computer backup.
Use these checks before erasing:
- Confirm the latest backup time under Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Confirm that photos, messages, and app data appear on the new phone.
- Save two-factor authentication apps and authenticator codes separately, because they may not transfer.
- Check that passkeys and saved passwords sync to the new device.
Apple warns that manually deleting items while logged into iCloud removes them permanently. Erase only after the new phone holds everything you need.
What if you no longer have the iPhone or forgot the password?
Change your Apple Account password and remove the phone’s cards remotely. Apple’s guidance for this case is to change your Apple Account password and remove credit or debit cards used with Apple Pay. You can then remove the device from your account’s device list.
Stolen Device Protection adds a delay in some cases. If it is enabled, changing the password in an Apple Store is likely to trigger a one-hour security delay. Reset a forgotten password before you travel to the store.
How do you handle the SIM, eSIM, and carrier status?
Remove a physical SIM, and contact your carrier about any eSIM before handing the phone over. Erasing the iPhone does not cancel your plan or release a financing balance.
Check three carrier items:
- Unlock status: A locked phone sells for less because it works only on one network.
- Financing: A phone with an unpaid installment balance can stay blacklisted or locked.
- Account removal: Remove the device from your plan so the buyer cannot trigger charges to you.
How does the phone’s condition affect what you get?
Screen damage, worn batteries and unfinished repairs lower the offer and an unfinished repair can block trade-in entirely. Apple states that a part marked Finish Repair must be completed before the device can be traded in.
Check Settings > Battery > Battery Health and record the percentage. Note any cracks, dents, or Face ID faults. Buyers grade phones by these same points. So a documented condition prevents downgrades after shipping. Include the original box, cable and charger when you have them.
Where can you sell a used iPhone for cash?
Four channels handle most iPhone sales: Apple Trade In, carrier trade-in, buyback companies, and peer-to-peer marketplaces. Each trades effort against payout.
| Channel | Payment form | Effort | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Trade In | Credit toward a purchase, or a payment | Low | Lower payout than resale |
| Carrier trade-in | Often bill credits tied to a plan | Low | Credits may depend on staying on the plan |
| Buyback company, such as WeBuyBackElectronics | Cash quote after inspection | Low to medium | Final price changes if the grade differs from your description |
| Marketplace (eBay, Facebook Marketplace) | Cash from the buyer | High | Scams, returns, and disputes |
Choose a buyback service when you want cash without handling buyers. A resale marketplace pays the most when you can manage listings and messages. Marketplaces generally pay more than trade-ins but require more work, according to a summary of iPhone 17 era trade-in options.
Can you sell a used iPhone 18 for cash?
Yes you can sell your used iPhone 18 for cash. But supply was limited in October 2026 because the standard iPhone 18 had not launched. Apple held its Surprise and Shine event on September 9, 2026. Reports before the event said the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max would launch in September. While the standard iPhone 18 could be delayed until spring 2027.
If you hold an iPhone 18 Pro-series model, the steps above apply unchanged. Buyers pay the most for models in near new condition with the original packaging, and values drop as the next generation approaches. Verify the exact model name and storage size before requesting any quote, because buyers price each configuration separately.
How do you sell your old iPhone 17 for the best price?
Sell the iPhone 17 for cash soon after you upgrade, in good cosmetic condition, with all accessories included. The iPhone 17 line was announced on September 9, 2025 and released on September 19, 2025. So it is now one generation behind the iPhone 18 Pro series. Reports note that trade-in values for older models began falling once the newer model launched.
To sell your old iPhone 17 at a higher price:
- Get quotes from at least three channels, using the same storage size and condition grade.
- Report battery health and any cosmetic marks accurately.
- Fix minor issues only when the repair costs less than the added value.
- Ship within the quote’s validity window.
Selling a Mac along with your iPhone?
Sign out of your Apple Account, turn off Find My Mac, and erase the Mac before selling it. The process mirrors the iPhone, but the menus differ, so follow Apple’s separate Mac instructions. SellYourIMac covers selling a Mac on its own; use that page when you replace both devices at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does erasing the iPhone remove it from my Apple Account?
Erasing turns off Find My and Activation Lock, but sign out first. Signing out before erasing prevents the lock screen from showing your Apple Account details to the buyer.
Do I need to remove my SIM card before selling?
Yes, remove a physical SIM, and ask your carrier about an eSIM. The SIM holds your phone number and account link.
Should I erase the iPhone before an Apple Store trade-in?
No, leave the phone as it is when trading in at an Apple Store. Apple says a Specialist completes the remaining steps with you in the store.
What if I am switching from iPhone to Android?
Turn off iMessage before removing your SIM, or text messages from other iPhone users may not reach your new phone. Use Apple’s iMessage deregistration tool to remove your number.
What should I do with my Apple Watch?
Unpair it from the iPhone before erasing. Apple lists this as a required step, because a paired Apple Watch must be unpaired before the iPhone is traded in or sold. Unpairing also creates a backup of the watch.