How to sell your iPhone safely and get the desired return

Sell your old iPhone to get some extra cash or prepare for a new device is a wise decision. However, there are a number of steps you need to take to ensure a safe transaction and get the most return. This article will detail how to prepare your iPhone, research market prices, choose the right sales channels, create attractive ads, and ensure a safe transaction. By following these guidelines, you can sell your iPhone with confidence and get the most money.

1. Prepare your iPhone

Before selling your iPhone, you first need to make sure that all the data on the device has been backed up and safely deleted to protect personal privacy. 

Below is our step-by-step guide to preparing your phone for sale; we also suggest a few reputable sites that will take it off your hands for top dollar.

Backup

First, make sure you keep don’t your mind. And by that, we mean your data. Back everything up before you wipe it from your phone.

To back up to iCloud from your device, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup> Back Up Now.

To back up to your Mac:

1. Connect your iPhone and your computer via a cable or Wi-Fi. If you have macOS 10.15 or later, go to Finder and select your iPhone.
2. If you have an earlier version, go to iTunes. If you’re using Finder, click on General and select Back Up All of the Data on Your iPhone to This Mac.
3. Click Back Up Now. If you’re backing up to iTunes, connect your phone, open iTunes, click on the image of your phone, select Summary, and then choose Back Up Now.

For Windows, connect your iPhone to your computer with either a cable or Wi-Fi and open iTunes. Click on the image of your phone, select Summary, and then choose Back Up Now.

Unfined Your iPhone

Apple’s Find My app (previously known as Find My iPhone) can sometimes block activation by a new owner, so you should deactivate the app before you ditch your device. Though Find My is automatically deactivated when you erase all content and settings, which you’ll do below, this is still a good step to take as a precaution.

For iOS 13 or later, go to Settings > [your name] > Find My, then turn off Find My [device]. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off. For iOS 12 or earlier, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud, turn off Find My [device], enter your Apple ID password, and tap Turn Off.

Sign Out of Messages

For a while, people who ditched their iPhones for another platform without logging out of Messages were not receiving messages from other iOS users: Any messages sent from one iPhone to another were being received by the old iPhone rather than the new device, so your Messages were in a sort of message purgatory. The problem is now fixable and affects only those who are switching from iOS to Android. But it’s a good idea to take preventive measures. Go to Settings > Messages, and toggle iMessage to off.

Unpair AirPods

Similarly, you can still connect your AirPods to a new iPhone without unpairing them from the old one, but it can’t hurt to wipe the slate clean. Place your AirPods or AirPods Pro and iPhone near each other and go to Settings > Bluetooth. Tap the information icon next to your AirPods, and select Forget this Device.

Unpair Apple Watch

If you have an Apple Watch, save yourself a potential headache later on and unpair it from the iPhone you’ll be selling. Place them near each other, then open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Go to the My Watch tab and tap All Watches. Select the info circle next to the watch you want to unpair. Tap Unpair Apple Watch and tap to confirm, which may require you to enter your Apple ID password.

With a GPS + Cellular model, you’re asked whether you want to keep or remove your cellular plan. Since you’re selling your iPhone, you’ll want to remove your plan. (If you do not plan to pair your watch with a new iPhone, you might need to contact your carrier to cancel.) Tap to confirm; you might need to enter your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock.

Sign Out of iCloud

You should sign out of iCloud, iTunes, and the App Store before selling your device. Tap Settings > [your name] > Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.

How to Wipe Your iPhone and Delete Data

Don’t let anyone snoop on your data. Wipe your phone by heading to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings and approve all the subsequent prompts.

Remove SIM Card

Apple went the eSIM route with the iPhone 14 lineup, but older devices will have a physical SIM card. In most cases, you can deactivate your cell phone service on the device and trade it in with the SIM card intact. But that SIM card is the repository of your phone number, various bits of security data, and all the info needed for billing. It identifies you, your phone, and a lot of your activity on your phone. So you might want to remove it before you sell your phone. Fortunately, it’s simple. Locate the SIM ejector on your phone, then insert a paper clip until the tray pops out. Remove the SIM card, replace the tray, and say goodbye to your phone.

2. Check iPhone status

The condition of the device will directly affect its selling price. Therefore, before selling, you need to thoroughly check the functionality and appearance of the iPhone to ensure that the organization or individual can give a relatively reasonable price.

1. Check function

Make sure all of your iPhone’s buttons, touchscreen, camera, microphone, speakers, and more are working properly. If any problems are discovered, it’s best to fix them in advance or make it clear in the ad.

2. Check appearance

Clean your iPhone to remove surface dust and fingerprints. Also, check the screen, back, and bezels for scratches or dents. While small scratches won’t have a big impact on the sale price, significant damage will need to be noted in the ad and may reduce the sale price.

3. Choose a sales channel

Choosing the right sales channel can help you get the most cash. Here are some of the main sales channels:

Best Buy

If you’re selling your iPhone and want cash to buy electronics, you can cut out a step at Best Buy: Trade in your phone at a store or mail it in for a digital gift card. For a Space Black 512GB iPhone 14 Pro on Verizon in good condition, expect to get about $500.

Apple Trade-In

The Apple Trade-In program pays you with an instant credit toward the purchase of your new iPhone or an Apple Store gift card. Visit the site, select the iPhone model you have, answer some questions about its condition, get an estimate (and find out whether Apple will pay for packaging and shipping), accept the quote, and get the gift card once your iPhone is received. Or go to an Apple Store and trade it in person for immediate credit toward a purchase. Apple has cut how much it pays for trade-ins for all products and has trimmed the price it offers for iPhones in particular up to $80. You can trade in an iPhone 14 Pro for about $570.

Phoneto

A trustworthy online mobile phone recycling platform. The price on the platform is the selling price. There is no deliberate false price to attract customers. Although it is a new online mobile phone recycling platform, its measures, such as mobile phone testing, are absolutely fair and just. The current price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max can be as high as $1,080

Walmart CExchange

In exchange for your older phone, the Walmart CExchange program gives you a Walmart gift card that you can use in a store or online. Please select your model and capacity, then answer questions about its condition, whether you’re sending its charger, and what carrier it’s on. Then you get a quote: If you accept it, you receive a prepaid shipping label from FedEx Ground. A 512GB iPhone 14 Pro on Verizon is currently worth $488.

uSell

Want to sell your iPhone fast? One option is uSell. Select your model, carrier, capacity, and condition to receive an offer. If you choose to accept it, you ship your iPhone to uSell for free. If your device is in the condition you said it was, you’re paid by check or PayPal. A 512GB iPhone 15 Pro Max on AT&Tis currently worth about $750

declutter

Cut a deal with Decluttr, and you receive a shipping label that lets you send in your phone for free. In return, you’re paid via direct deposit or PayPal. A 512GB iPhone 15 Pro Max on Verizon in excellent condition is currently worth $169.

GameStop

Are most of your iPhone apps games? Then, you’ll probably do well to turn in your iPhone for some store credit at GameStop. You can also get cold, hard cash for it there. Bring your device to your nearest GameStop (estimates are available on the site before you make the trip), get a price quote from a sales associate, and then receive store credit or cash on the spot. A 512GB iPhone 14 Pro from Verizon in very good condition will get you a $558 Visa Prepaid Card or $390 in cash.

eBay

To sell your device yourself, there’s always eBay. The site has a quick walkthrough where you can input your phone’s stats. You then choose to sell it via eBay’s traditional auction process or select a Quick Sale option that gets you immediate cash once eBay receives the phone. The trending price for a Space Black 512GB iPhone 14 Pro on Verizon in good condition is $1.009.

Swappa

Swappa is a marketplace where you can sell your iPhone directly. Select your phone model on the site, upload some photos, and set a price. Once someone buys it, you’re paid immediately via PayPal. You’re responsible for safely shipping your phone to the buyer. iPhone 14 Pros are going for around $914 on the site.

Summary

Selling your iPhone safely and getting the most cash requires a series of carefully planned steps. First, make sure you back up and securely delete all personal data to protect privacy. Then, thoroughly inspect the device’s features and appearance to ensure it is in the best condition. Market research is key, and understanding the current market price can help you develop a reasonable selling strategy.

Choosing the right sales channel is key to getting the highest return. Online marketplaces such as eBay, phoneto, Amazon, and Swappa can offer high prices, but you need to deal with sales fees and shipping issues. Trade programs such as Apple Trade-In and carrier trade-in offer convenient but lower-priced options. Local sales platforms such as Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace have no sales fees, but you need to pay attention to transaction security.

With these steps, you can not only sell your iPhone safely but also ensure that you get the most cash. This not only protects your privacy but also enhances your transaction experience and enables you to transition to a new device easily.