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Prepare an iPhone for trade-in in this order: back up and transfer your data, finish any repair shown in Parts and Service History, unpair related devices, sign out of your Apple Account, erase the iPhone and any eSIM profile, then confirm that the phone reaches the Hello screen. Erasing the iPhone turns off Find My and Activation Lock, so the next owner can activate it.
Do not start by deleting photos or contacts manually. While you are signed in to iCloud, manual deletion can remove those items from iCloud and every connected device.
1. Back up and move your data before erasing
An erase is permanent for data stored on the iPhone. Make a backup and transfer information to the replacement phone before you remove your account from the old one. Apple’s preparation sequence begins with those two actions because they are the only reliable way to preserve photos, messages, app data and settings that have not already synchronized.
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Use Quick Start when both iPhones are available
Quick Start can transfer information from an old iPhone running iOS 11 or later to a replacement iPhone. Keep both phones together and complete the transfer prompts on the new device before beginning the trade-in erase. Leave the old iPhone untouched until you can open the important apps and confirm that the information you need is on the replacement.
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Use iCloud, Finder or iTunes when Quick Start is not suitable
Older devices can use an iCloud backup, iTunes or Finder. A computer-based backup or restore uses a USB or USB-C connection, so check that the cable connector fits both the specific iPhone and the computer. Wireless iCloud backup and Quick Start avoid that cable, while a wired connection is useful when wireless transfer is impractical.
| Route | Best fit | What you need to check |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Start | Both the old and replacement iPhones are present; the old device runs iOS 11 or later | Complete the transfer on the replacement and verify essential information before erasing |
| iCloud backup | You want a wireless backup or cannot connect to a computer | Make sure the backup has completed before proceeding |
| Finder or iTunes | You prefer a computer-based backup, restore or transfer | Use a compatible USB or USB-C cable and the appropriate computer software |
Protect account access if your phone number will change
If the trade-in coincides with a change of phone number, add additional trusted phone numbers to your Apple Account before you give up the old number. Otherwise, a verification code sent only to the number being surrendered could leave you unable to sign in when the new phone is not yet ready.
2. Check Parts and Service History before the handoff
Open the iPhone’s Parts and Service History and inspect every listed component. If a part is marked Finish Repair, complete that repair before attempting a trade-in. Apple states that an unfinished repair prevents the device from being traded in, so backing up and erasing alone will not resolve that status.
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3. Separate the iPhone from connected services and devices
Unpair an Apple Watch
If an Apple Watch is paired with the iPhone, unpair it before removing personal information. Unpairing preserves the watch’s relationship with your account and prevents the watch from remaining associated with a phone you no longer control.
Deregister iMessage when moving to a non-Apple phone
When the replacement phone is not an iPhone, deregister iMessage before or during the move. Without that step, messages sent by other Apple users can continue to be addressed as iMessages instead of ordinary text messages, delaying delivery to the new platform.
4. Sign out using the menu for your iOS version
The labels differ by iOS release. Follow the branch that matches the software on the iPhone rather than searching for an older instruction that uses different wording.
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iOS 26 or later
- Open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top of the screen.
- Tap Sign Out.
- Choose Erase this [Device] if you want to sign out and begin the erase flow, or choose Sign Out But Don’t Erase if you need to complete the erase separately.
- If prompted, sign out of iCloud and the Store.
Choose the combined erase option only after the backup and transfer are complete. If you choose to sign out without erasing, continue to the dedicated erase procedure in the next section.
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iOS 18 or earlier
- Open Settings and tap your name.
- Tap Sign Out.
- Enter the Apple Account password when asked.
- Tap Turn Off.
After signing out, use Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [device] > Erase All Content and Settings to remove the device data.
iOS 10.2 or earlier
Older software uses separate sign-out locations. Sign out of iCloud in its iCloud settings, then sign out of the iTunes & App Store account separately. Because these releases predate the current combined account screen, do not expect the iOS 18 or iOS 26 labels to appear.
Do not manually delete synchronized data
While still signed in to iCloud, do not delete photos, contacts, calendars, reminders or documents one by one to “clean” the phone. Apple warns that manual deletion can remove the same items from iCloud servers and other connected devices. Signing out and erasing the device is the safe separation method; it leaves your iCloud content available for the replacement device.
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Erase from Settings
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Transfer or Reset [device].
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter the device passcode or Restrictions passcode if requested.
- Review the erase screen and tap Erase [device].
The process removes personal information, Apple Pay cards, photos, contacts, music and apps stored on the iPhone. It also turns off iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, Game Center and other services on that device. Data that was already stored in iCloud remains in iCloud; erasing the handset is not the same as deleting your cloud account.
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- WHAT’S IN THE BOX — Apple USB-C Woven Charge Cable only. Power adapter sold separately.
- CABLE LENGTH — 2 meters (6 feet).
Choose what happens to an eSIM
If the iPhone uses an eSIM and is being sold or traded in, select the option to erase the device and the eSIM profile when prompted. That removes the cellular profile from the phone being handed over. If you are transferring service to another device, follow your carrier’s activation process on the replacement before completing the trade-in handoff so you do not strand the line on the erased phone.
What about a physical SIM?
The eSIM prompt applies to a cellular profile stored electronically in the iPhone. A physical SIM is a removable card rather than an on-device eSIM profile; handle it according to your carrier’s replacement or number-transfer instructions before handing over the phone.
6. Confirm that Find My and Activation Lock are disabled
When the erase finishes, the iPhone should display the Hello setup screen. That screen indicates that the previous user’s content and setup have been removed and that the device is ready for a new owner to activate.
Apple’s stated behavior is: “When you erase your iPhone or iPad, Find My [device] and Activation Lock turn off.” Therefore, a completed Settings erase is the step that releases the phone from Activation Lock. Do not ship a phone that still opens to your familiar Home Screen, asks for your Apple Account during setup, or has not completed the erase animation.
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7. Choose the right preparation route for your situation
| Your situation | Preparation route | Critical action |
|---|---|---|
| The iPhone is still in your hand | Back up or transfer locally, sign out, then erase in Settings | Wait for the Hello screen and, on an eSIM model, erase the eSIM profile |
| The phone is moving to another Apple device | Quick Start, iCloud, Finder or iTunes | Verify the replacement before removing the old phone’s account |
| The phone is moving to Android or another non-Apple platform | Complete the backup and transfer, then deregister iMessage | Make sure messages are no longer routed as iMessages |
| The phone is lost, stolen or already shipped without being erased | Use Find Devices on iCloud.com for a remote erase | Remove it from trusted devices, change the Apple Account password and enable two-factor authentication |
| You need a wired computer backup or restore | Connect by USB or USB-C and use Finder or iTunes | Use a cable compatible with both the iPhone and computer |
8. If the iPhone is already gone
Ask the recipient to erase it
If the phone reached another person before you completed the process, ask that person to use Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [device] > Erase All Content and Settings. The recipient may need to enter the device passcode or follow the on-screen erase prompts.
Erase a lost or stolen iPhone remotely
- Open Find Devices on iCloud.com.
- Select the missing iPhone and start a remote erase.
- Remove the iPhone from your trusted devices.
- Change your Apple Account password.
- Turn on two-factor authentication if it is not already enabled.
Changing the Apple Account password helps prevent a new owner from deleting information from iCloud, but it does not itself erase personal information that remains stored on the old iPhone. Use the remote erase for that purpose.
9. Final checks before sending the trade-in
- The replacement phone contains the photos, messages, contacts and other information you needed.
- Any Parts and Service History entry marked Finish Repair has been resolved.
- An Apple Watch that was paired with the iPhone has been unpaired.
- iMessage has been deregistered if the replacement uses a non-Apple platform.
- You have signed out using the menu for the installed iOS version.
- The iPhone has been erased through Settings, including the eSIM profile when the phone is being sold.
- The display shows the Hello screen rather than your personal setup.
Once those conditions are met, Apple directs owners to Apple Trade In or recycling for the prepared device. Keep any tracking or shipment record supplied by the trade-in service until the handoff is accepted.
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