Before you recycle an iPhone, check whether someone will pay for it. Even older or cracked iPhones often have resale value, and selling still means the phone is reused or recycled, just with money in your pocket. If it really is worth nothing, there are free and safe ways to recycle it in the UK.
Step 1: check whether it is worth selling
Look up your model in our trade-in value guide. It lists what we pay for every iPhone we buy, including faulty ones. Phones with a cracked screen or a fault are covered by sell a broken iPhone.
Step 2: back up, sign out and erase
Whether you sell or recycle it, remove your data and turn off Activation Lock: back up, go to Settings → [your name] → Sign Out, then Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. Full steps, including what to do if the screen does not work, are in how to factory reset your iPhone.
Step 3: choose how to recycle it
- Sell or send it to a buyback service: phones that can be reused are refurbished, and the rest are recycled responsibly. Collection is usually free.
- Apple: Apple's trade-in programme also offers free recycling for devices that are not eligible for credit.
- Your council: most household waste recycling centres have a small electricals container.
- Retailer take-back: many larger electrical retailers accept small electricals for recycling in store.
Never bin it
iPhones contain a lithium-ion battery. In general waste or a recycling bin, a damaged battery can catch fire in the bin lorry or at the waste site. If the battery is swollen, keep the phone somewhere cool, do not charge it, and take it to a recycling centre or buyback service.
Want to see what you would get first? Get an instant quote on the Sell My iPhone page.
