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Before selling, trading in, or giving away an iPhone or iPad, save the data you need, finish any repair setup, sign out of your Apple Account, and erase the device. The key sequence is to back up and transfer first, then use Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [device] > Erase All Content and Settings. Choose whether to erase an eSIM when prompted, and make sure the device is no longer tied to your account before handing it over.

Before you begin: protect your data and account access

1. Back up the device

Make a backup before signing out or erasing. Check that it has completed and that you can access the Apple Account or computer holding it. Apple’s pre-sale checklist covers backing up before removing your information.

2. Transfer data to your replacement

Move the information you want to keep to your new iPhone or iPad before wiping the old one. Quick Start is available for iOS 11 or later. For iOS 10 or earlier, Apple describes transfer options using iCloud, iTunes, or Finder. The iOS 27 iPhone User Guide also describes temporary extra iCloud storage for a device-to-device move.

3. Check account recovery access

If you are changing phone numbers, add another trusted phone number to your Apple Account before you lose access to the old number. This helps preserve a way to verify your identity and recover account access.

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4. Check Parts and Service History

On the iPhone, open Settings > General > About and look for Parts and Service History. If a repair shows Finish Repair, complete that process before seeking an Apple trade-in: Apple says an unfinished repair must be resolved before it will accept the device for trade-in.

5. Unpair an Apple Watch

If an Apple Watch is paired with the iPhone, unpair it in the Watch app before selling the phone. The unpairing flow attempts to create a backup of the watch. If the Watch has cellular service, see step 13 before closing the associated plan.

6. Decide what to do with AppleCare

Check the terms of your AppleCare plan and decide whether to cancel it or transfer it to the new owner. The appropriate option depends on your plan and circumstances.

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Remove your personal data and services

7. Sign out of Apple services

Use Apple’s sign-out instructions for the software version installed on the device. The steps vary by generation. On iOS 26 or later, Apple presents options including Erase this [Device] and Sign Out But Don’t Erase. For a sale or gift, do not leave your personal data on the device: continue through the full erase process. Apple’s instructions also distinguish sign-out paths for iOS 18 or earlier and iOS 10.2 or earlier.

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8. Don’t manually delete iCloud-synced items

Do not try to “clean” the old device by deleting photos, contacts, documents, calendars, or reminders while it is signed into iCloud. Apple warns that those deletions can also remove the items from iCloud and other connected devices. The full erase process is the safer way to prepare the device for someone else.

9. Deregister iMessage if you are switching to a non-Apple phone

If your next phone is not an iPhone, deregister iMessage as part of the switch. Otherwise, messages sent to your number may continue to be routed through iMessage instead of reaching the new phone as standard texts.

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10. Let the erase process remove Apple Pay cards and passes

Erasing through Settings removes Apple Pay cards and passes along with local photos, contacts, music, apps, and other content. There is no need to remove each card by manually deleting unrelated synced data.

11. Erase all content and settings

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap Transfer or Reset [device].
  4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then authenticate if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions.

Apple states that when you erase an iPhone or iPad, Find My and Activation Lock are turned off. That matters because the next owner needs to be able to activate the device with their own account.

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12. Choose what happens to the eSIM

If you are selling an iPhone or iPad that uses an eSIM, erase the eSIM profile when the erase flow asks. Apple distinguishes erasing the device from keeping its eSIM profile; retaining it may be appropriate when you are keeping the device, but not when you are handing it to a buyer.

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13. Sort out cellular service

If the device has no physical SIM card, contact your carrier about transferring or ending service as appropriate. If an Apple Watch paired to the iPhone has a cellular plan, contact the provider to cancel that plan when it should not transfer with the Watch. Carrier procedures vary by provider and country.

14. Remove the old device from trusted devices

After the erase is complete, review the trusted devices associated with your Apple Account and remove the old iPhone or iPad if it is still listed. This is separate from removing local content: it updates the devices associated with your account.

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If you already handed over the device

15. Erase it remotely and remove it from your account

If possible, ask the recipient to erase the device. Otherwise, use Find My or iCloud.com/find to start a remote erase. If the device is offline, the erase request waits until it reconnects. After the erase completes, remove it from your account so the next owner can activate it. Apple’s Find My guidance explains the remote erase and account-removal steps.

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Also change your Apple Account password and review the trusted devices list if you are concerned about account access. A password change does not erase personal information stored locally on the old device, so it is not a substitute for remote erasure.

Choose a handoff route

A private sale may suit you if you want to arrange the sale yourself; trade-in or recycling may offer a simpler handoff, subject to the provider’s eligibility and condition rules. Apple provides a Trade In or recycling route, but availability and terms vary by country. Apple’s cited materials do not establish a current price comparison, so compare any offers directly before deciding.

Final handoff check

  • Your backup and transfer are complete, and you can access the data you are keeping.
  • You have completed any required Finish Repair item before an Apple trade-in.
  • The device is signed out and erased using Erase All Content and Settings.
  • You have made the appropriate eSIM and carrier decisions.
  • The old device is no longer associated with your account in a way that prevents its new owner from activating it.

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