Before you sell an iPhone, back it up, turn off Find My, sign out of your Apple Account and erase it. These steps protect your data and are required: an iPhone with Find My on has Activation Lock, so the next owner cannot set it up. Apple lists the same steps in What to do before you sell, give away or trade in your iPhone.
Key Takeaways
- Turn off Find My and sign out of your Apple Account before you hand the phone over.
- Erase the phone with Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- You can sell without the box or bill; they help the offer but are not required.
- Most iPhones bought in India are not carrier-locked.
1. Back Up Your iPhone
Back up to iCloud (Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup) or to a computer, so you can restore your photos, chats and apps on your new phone.
2. Unpair Your Apple Watch, Turn Off Find My and Sign Out
If you have an Apple Watch, unpair it first. Then go to Settings > [your name] > Find My and turn off Find My iPhone. Finally, go back to Settings > [your name] and tap Sign Out at the bottom. This removes Activation Lock; if you skip it, the buyer cannot set up the phone.
3. Erase the iPhone
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. If you use an eSIM, choose to erase it when asked (contact your network to move your number to the new phone). If you use a physical SIM, remove it.
Do You Need the Box?
No. You can sell an iPhone without its box, bill or charger. The original box and bill help the offer a little and prove the phone's origin, but WorthyTen buys iPhones without them.
Is Your iPhone Carrier-Locked?
Most iPhones sold in India are not locked to a network. If yours was bought abroad on a contract, check Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock — it should say "No SIM restrictions". A carrier-locked iPhone is worth less because it only works on one network.
Repaired or Refurbished iPhones
On recent iOS versions, a Parts and Service History section appears in Settings > General > About if the screen, battery or camera has been replaced, and shows whether the parts are genuine. Replaced or non-genuine parts can lower the offer, so mention any past repairs when you get your quote.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What if I forgot my Apple Account password?
Reset it at iforgot.apple.com before selling. An iPhone with Activation Lock on cannot be set up by the next owner.
Should I remove my SIM and memory?
Remove a physical SIM, or erase the eSIM when you erase the phone. iPhones have no memory card slot; erasing the phone removes your data.
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