Skip the Unboxing

How-to

Before you trade in
your iPhone

Before an iPhone leaves your hands, Apple says to back it up, sign out of your Apple Account and erase it. Skip a step and the next owner may be locked out by Activation Lock, or your trade-in may be refused. Here's Apple's checklist in order.

Updated 12 November 2026 · from Apple's support guide

The checklist

  1. Back it up to iCloud or a computer, and move your data to the new phone with Quick Start.
  2. Check Parts and Service History (Settings → General → About). If any part shows "Finish Repair", finish that repair before trading in.
  3. Unpair your Apple Watch, if you have one.
  4. Cancel or transfer AppleCare, if the phone has a plan.
  5. Sign out of your Apple Account. On iOS 26 or later: Settings → your name → Sign Out, then choose to erase or not. If asked, choose to sign out of iCloud and Store. This also turns off Find My and Activation Lock.
  6. Switching to Android? Deregister iMessage first, so texts reach your new phone.
  7. Erase it: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings, then enter your passcode.
  8. SIM or eSIM. Remove a physical SIM. With an eSIM, contact your carrier to move service to your new phone.
  9. Remove it from your trusted devices in your Apple Account.

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Questions

What should I do before trading in my iPhone?

Back it up, unpair your Apple Watch, sign out of your Apple Account to turn off Find My, then erase it from Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Do I need to turn off Find My before trading in?

Yes. Signing out of your Apple Account turns off Find My and Activation Lock, so the next owner or Apple can use the phone.

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