Before you sell or recycle an iPhone, you need to do three things: back it up, remove it from your Apple ID (which turns off Activation Lock) and erase it. It takes about ten minutes, and it is the difference between a quick payment and a device that can't be reused. Here is exactly how to do it on iOS 17 and iOS 18.
1. Back up your iPhone
Go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Alternatively, connect the iPhone to a computer and back it up in Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app (Windows). If you are moving to a new iPhone, you can use Quick Start instead and skip this step.
2. Unpair your Apple Watch
If you use an Apple Watch with this iPhone, unpair it first in the Watch app. Unpairing also backs up the watch to the iPhone. See our guide to resetting an Apple Watch before selling.
3. Sign out of your Apple ID
Go to Settings → [your name], scroll down and tap Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password when asked. This turns off Find My iPhone and Activation Lock. If Activation Lock is still on, nobody else can set the phone up, so we can't buy it.
4. Erase all content and settings
Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. If you have an eSIM, you will be asked whether to keep or erase it. Erase it unless you are moving the number to another phone. Then enter your passcode and confirm. When the iPhone restarts on the "Hello" screen, it is ready to send.
5. Remove your SIM card
Take out any physical SIM card with a SIM tool or straightened paperclip. Keep it if you are moving it to your new phone.
What if the screen is broken?
If you can't use the screen, sign in at iCloud.com/find with your Apple ID, choose the iPhone from All Devices, select Erase This Device and then Remove This Device. That erases it remotely and turns off Activation Lock, even with a cracked or black screen. You can still sell a broken iPhone.
Switching to Android?
If your number is moving to a non-Apple phone, deregister it from iMessage at Apple's "Deregister iMessage" page so texts from iPhone users reach your new phone.
Quick checklist
- Backed up (iCloud or computer)
- Apple Watch unpaired
- Signed out of Apple ID: Find My and Activation Lock off
- Erased: iPhone shows the "Hello" screen
- SIM card removed
Done? Get an instant quote on the Sell My iPhone page. We collect free across the UK and pay once we have checked your device. Stuck on Activation Lock? See how to remove Activation Lock from an iPhone.
