What should we do before selling an old iPhone?

Selena Lee

 · 

Follow

Content Writer Dec 12

What should we do before selling an old iPhone?

Selling an old iPhone is ultimately a personal decision, and people may make this decision for any combination of the reasons listed above. It's crucial to take the required actions to guarantee that personal data is safely erased from the device and that any connected accounts are correctly disconnected before selling. Before selling your old iPhone, it's important to take several steps to ensure your personal data is removed and the device is ready for its new owner. Here's a checklist of things to do before selling your old iPhone:

Backup Your Data:

• Perform a complete backup of your iPhone using iCloud or iTunes. This ensures you have a copy of your data, settings, and apps that you can restore to a new device if needed.

Sign Out of iCloud:

• Go to "Settings."
• Tap on your name at the top.
• Scroll down and tap "Sign Out" at the bottom. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted.

Turn Off Find My iPhone:

• In the "Settings" app, go to "Find My" and turn off "Find My iPhone." You may need to enter your Apple ID password.

Erase All Content and Settings:

• Go to "Settings."
• Tap on "General."
• Scroll down and tap on "Reset."
• Select "Erase All Content and Settings." This will wipe the device clean.

Remove Your SIM Card:

• If your iPhone uses a SIM card, remove it before selling.

Unpair Apple Watch (if applicable):

• If you have an Apple Watch paired with your iPhone, unpair it to disconnect the devices.Apple Watch can be disconnected without the associated iPhone; however, Activation Lock will still be in effect.

Nonetheless, the following are steps you need to take to unpair and erase Apple Watch:

• Step 1: As you disconnect your Apple Watch from your iPhone, keep both in proximity.
• Step 2: Launch the Apple Watch app from the app store.
• Step 3: Select All Watches under the "My Watch" menu.
• Step 4: To remove a paired watch, select it and then tap the details button.
• Step 5: Choose the appropriate menu option to disconnect your Apple Watch.
• Step 6: Choose Settings > General > Apple Watch > Unpair.

Clean the Device:

• Wipe the iPhone with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove fingerprints and smudges.

Include Accessories (Optional):

• If you're including accessories like chargers or earphones, make sure they are clean and in good condition.

Check Activation Lock Status:

• Visit icloud and sign in to check the Activation Lock status. Ensure that the device is no longer associated with your Apple ID.

Remove from Carrier Account:

• If your iPhone is carrier-locked, contact your carrier to ensure it's unlocked before selling.
• Deregister iMessage:
• If you're switching to a non-Apple device, deregister your phone number from iMessage to avoid text messaging issues.

Once you've completed these steps, your iPhone is ready to be sold or passed on to its new owner. Double-check that you have all necessary backups, and if you're selling it directly to someone, consider meeting in a safe location and ensuring the payment is secure.