Trading in your iPhone can save you money on a new device or get you cash, but you need to prepare it first. Make sure to back up your data, remove personal info, and turn off features like Find My iPhone to keep your data safe and make the trade-in smooth.
If you haven’t got a trade-in offer yet, some buyback services have special deals. For example, BuyBackWorld is offering a 16% bonus (up to $45) on trade-ins worth $30 or more when you use the promo code INSIDER16.
Save a copy of your data
First, make sure to back up your iPhone to keep your contacts, photos, and other important data safe. You can do this through the Settings app using iCloud.
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
- Tap iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup.
- Select Back Up Now to save your data.
Sign out of iCloud and Apple services:
Before trading in your phone, sign out of iCloud and other Apple services to protect your personal information.
- Go to Settings and tap your name.
- Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
- Enter your Apple ID password to turn off Find My iPhone, then confirm.
Unpair your Apple Watch:
If you have an Apple Watch, unpair it from your iPhone to back up your data, which you can restore to your new device.
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Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
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Tap All Watches at the top left.
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Tap the info button next to your watch.
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Select Unpair Apple Watch and follow the instructions.
Turn Off Find My iPhone- Before trading in, you need to turn off Find My iPhone. This stops your phone from being linked to your Apple ID and keeps others from using it.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap [your name].
- Tap Find My.
- Select Find My iPhone and turn it off.
Erase All Data
- After backing up your phone and signing out, it’s time to erase all your data. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode and Apple ID password to confirm.
Here’s how to get your iPhone ready for trade-in:
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Factory Reset Your iPhone
- These steps will erase all your personal data and return the iPhone to factory settings. The “Transfer or Reset Your iPhone” option will guide you through the process.
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Remove the SIM Card
- Take out your SIM card to protect your phone number and data. For an eSIM, contact your carrier to deactivate or transfer it to your new device (some carriers offer this option in their apps).
- If you use a physical SIM, use a SIM ejector tool or a paper clip to open the SIM tray and remove the card.
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Verify the Trade-in Process
- If you’re trading in with Apple, you can either visit an Apple Store or get a shipping kit for online trade-ins. Different trade-in providers may have slightly different steps, so follow their instructions carefully.