What to Do Before You Sell Your iPhone?

The new iPhone 16 has launched, and people are going crazy over it. Its A18 chip makes the iPhone 16 30% faster than its previous version. Also, it has incredible low-light performance and comes with a 22-hour battery life. Other features, like wind noise reduction and enhanced 5G speed, make this phone a great buy. So, if you are planning to upgrade from an older version to the new iPhone 16 with iOS 18, do not keep yourself waiting.

However, while you are at it, do not let your old iPhone go to waste. Most people either store it away, thinking it will be a backup phone or exchange it during the purchase. Instead, consider selling your old iPhone to get the best value for your device. Just make sure to properly prepare your phone for sale, or it could potentially be misused for fraudulent activities.

INDEX

7 Things To Do Before Selling Your Old iPhone

1. Backup Your Data

2. Sign Out of iCloud, iTunes, and the App Store

3. Unpair Other Apple Devices

4. Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication (Temporarily)

5. Erase All Data

6. Remove Your SIM Card

7. Check for Activation Lock

Sell Your Old/Used iPhone In India Today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Old/Used iPhone

1. Does selling an iPhone with AppleCare+ impact the resale value?

2. How much would I get if I sold my iPhone in India?

3. What should I do if I forgot my Apple ID password before selling my iPhone?

7 Things To Do Before Selling Your Old iPhone

1. Backup Your Data

If you are planning to sell your old iPhone, the first thing you should do is take a backup. Otherwise, you will lose all your data. Although most people keep auto-synch on so that all data keeps getting uploaded to the cloud, there is always a chance that some recent data may not have been backed up. So, it is a good idea to manually initiate a backup once before selling the phone. Also, make sure you back up everything, including your photos, contacts, app data, settings, etc. Losing these can be frustrating.

There are two primary ways to back up:

iCloud Backup: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. This will immediately start backing up everything on your device and uploading to the cloud. When you log into your new device using the same credentials, everything will be available for easy restoration. Keep your phone connected to the Wi-Fi the entire time it will back up. Also, remember that your iCloud has a limit. If your storage is full, you will have to pay for additional storage.
Backup Using iTunes/Finder: If you want to back up your data on your computer or laptop, connect your iPhone via a cable, open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later), and click on your device. Select Backup Now to save your data on that device. This is a better method if you want to back up large files.

2. Sign Out of iCloud, iTunes, and the App Store

When using your iPhone, you log into various Apple apps, like iCloud, iTunes, and the App Store. Make sure you carefully log out of all those apps before selling. Some of these apps may have your personal or sensitive information. If the next owner of the device gets access to your account, they can easily misuse it. So, log out from all your Apple-related accounts before selling your old iPhone.

Log out from iCloud: Open iCloud and visit Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. While you are at it, disable the Find My iPhone feature as well. It will prevent the next user from activating the device.
Log out from iTunes & App Store: Similarly, sign out of these stores by going to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID. There, you will find the option to Sign Out. Once you sign out, any purchases or downloads made on that device will not be tied to your account.

3. Unpair Other Apple Devices

Apple’s ecosystem is one of the main reasons so many people prefer Apple devices. The seamless integration ensures you can easily access and manage various files and features of one device from another device. However, this same feature could become a problem if someone else gets access to one of your devices. So, disconnecting the devices is not sufficient. You must unpair them as well.

Otherwise, they could still remain linked to your Apple ID account. This means the new owner might face issues pairing their own devices, and your data could still sync in some cases.

4. Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication (Temporarily)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a popular security feature that adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone gets access to your Apple ID and password, they will not be able to log into your account. So, it is best that you keep it enabled at all times.

However, once you log out from the device, you can consider disabling it temporarily. It will make the handover smooth for the next user. Log in to appleid.apple.com, open the Security section, and disable the two-factor authentication. After selling your old iPhone, you can re-enable this on your new device.

This is only necessary if you are selling the phone to the user directly. If you are selling your phone to any company, you do not have to worry about it.

5. Erase All Data

Now that you have backed up the data and signed out of all your accounts, the next step is to erase all your personal information from the iPhone. This is the most important step to ensure your data does not get leaked. Do not make the mistake of manually deleting data. A factory reset is the best way to ensure that no traces of your data remain on the device.

Performing a factory reset is simple and can take a few minutes. Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Once you confirm, it will start the process of deleting all data from your iPhone. It is best that you double-check that everything has been backed up before starting the process.

6. Remove Your SIM Card

While focusing on the other aspect, people often forget about one simple thing — taking out the SIM card. There is no doubt that losing your SIM card can be a very big issue. You will not be able to receive any calls or texts. Additionally, you will not be able to make any UPI payments even if you have a new device — the apps require you to log in with an OTP sent to your number. Various apps will also become inaccessible until you get a new SIM. People can use your SIM for scams or fraudulent activities as well.

To ensure that you do not forget about the SIM, do not wait for the very last moment to eject the SIM. Also, you can set a reminder on your calendar if you know the date and time of the pickup.

7. Check for Activation Lock

Activation Lock is a security feature tied to your iCloud account. If it is still enabled, the new owner will be unable to use the phone. To avoid this, make sure Find My iPhone is turned off. You will find the option in Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone. Once you turn it off, it will automatically disable Activation Lock.

You can also verify that Activation Lock is off by visiting icloud.com/find to confirm that the device is no longer associated with your iCloud account.

Sell Your Old/Used iPhone In India Today!

These simple tips will help you sell your used iPhone safely. However, it is also important that you sell your device to a trusted buyer. Mobilegoo is a trusted platform for selling old iPhones online. We ensure a quick process so that minimum inconvenience is caused to our customers. You just have to select the model and answer a few questions about its condition, and the sale will be confirmed in a minute. Our agent will visit your address and provide instant payment after picking up the device. We also have a “price match policy” that says we will always match the price if you can find a better deal in the market.

In case the latest iPhones are out of your budget, you can consider buying refurbished phones. At Mobilegoo, you can buy refurbished iPhones at low prices. They have been thoroughly checked and repaired to ensure they meet the highest standards. We also offer up to a 1 year warranty on all our devices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Old/Used iPhone

1. Does selling an iPhone with AppleCare+ impact the resale value?

Yes, an iPhone with an active AppleCare+ plan can fetch a higher resale value. Buyers appreciate the added coverage, knowing repairs or accidental damage will be covered at a reduced cost. You can also transfer the AppleCare+ plan to the new owner by contacting Apple Support.

2. How much would I get if I sold my iPhone in India?

It is difficult to give a fixed amount without any details of the device. Besides factors like age and model, the condition of your phone hugely determines its price. If you want a clear estimate, you can check on our website. Select the model and answer a few questions about the device. We will share the exact price.

3. What should I do if I forgot my Apple ID password before selling my iPhone?

If you've forgotten your Apple ID password, you can reset it. Here is how you can do it:

Visit the Apple ID account page.
Enter your Apple ID email address and follow the on-screen instructions.
You may need to answer security questions or receive a verification code sent to your trusted device or phone number.
Once reset, sign out of your Apple ID on the iPhone by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out.

If you are unable to reset your password, contact Apple Support for assistance.