The short version
Do three things in this order: back up, sign out of your Apple Account, then erase the phone. Signing out comes before erasing because it turns off Find My iPhone and Activation Lock. If you skip it, the next owner cannot set the phone up, and a locked phone is worth very little to any buyer.
Step by step
- Back up your iPhone. Use iCloud (Settings, your name, iCloud, iCloud Backup, Back Up Now) or a computer. Wait until the backup finishes before you go on.
- Unpair an Apple Watch. If a watch is paired with the phone, unpair it first in the Watch app.
- Switching to Android? Turn off iMessage and FaceTime first so your texts keep reaching you.
- Sign out of your Apple Account. Go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down and tap Sign Out. This also turns off Find My iPhone.
- Erase the phone. Go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Erase All Content and Settings. Menu names change slightly between iOS versions.
- Remove your SIM. Take out the physical SIM card. If you use an eSIM, check with your network that the plan is removed.
- Check the result. The phone should restart to the setup screen and not ask for anyone’s Apple Account.
- Tidy your account. If the phone still shows in your Apple Account device list, remove it there.
Why Activation Lock matters
Activation Lock links the phone to your Apple Account so nobody else can use it if it is lost or stolen. If it is still on when you sell, the buyer cannot use the phone, so most buyers will refuse it or pay far less. Signing out before you erase is what turns it off.
Forgot your passcode or cannot sign out?
Locked phones (network, iCloud or Google locked): contact us on WhatsApp first and we will tell you if we can help. Do not hand over or post a phone that is still locked without checking.
Selling to us in Brighton or Sussex
Do the steps above before we arrive and the check at your door takes only a few minutes. We pay on the spot once we have checked the phone, and the price we quote is held if the phone matches your description and photos. See sell your iPhone for how it works, or compare options in our guide to selling for the most cash.
Frequently asked questions
Is a factory reset enough before selling an iPhone?
Erasing the phone is the main step, but sign out of your Apple Account first. That turns off Find My iPhone and Activation Lock, so the next owner can set the phone up.
Do I need to take my SIM card out?
Yes. Remove the physical SIM before you sell. If you use an eSIM, check with your network that the plan is removed from the phone.
What is Activation Lock?
It is an Apple security feature that ties an iPhone to your Apple Account. It stops anyone else using the phone, so it must be off before you sell.
Will the buyer be able to see my photos and messages?
Once you have erased the phone and it shows the setup screen, your photos, messages and apps are removed from it. Back up first so you keep your own copy.
What if I forgot my passcode or Apple Account password?
Contact us on WhatsApp first and we will tell you if we can help. Apple’s account recovery is the usual route for a forgotten password.
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