To get paid top dollar for your used iPhone, you need to properly prepare it for sale. 

You decide to sell your used iPhone, but consider preparing your device before rushing into a store. Not only to protect your data but make your device look presentable for the following user. Below is our step-by-step guide to correctly prepare your iPhone for sale, as well as to some legit sites that will pay your top dollar for used electronics gadgets. 

Prep’ Your iPhone: Step by Step

Know your hardware

You need to know what you are selling. So, to get an accurate estimation for your used iPhone, provide your iPhone model along with its configurations. To know what iPhone model you have, do the following: Go to “Settings App”> About> Model subheading. 

Unlock your iPhone

Unlocked iPhones are worth a lot more money because they don’t have an exclusive contract with a carrier. For example, suppose you have purchased your iPhone directly from a carrier service, like Verizon or any other carrier service. In that case, we suggest you request to unlock your iPhone from the same carrier company. 

When an iPhone is unlocked, you’ll be able to move from one network to another by swapping the SIM card inside.

Unpair Apple Watch

If you are lucky to have an Apple Watch, don’ forget to unpair it on the iPhone, you are willing to sell. Follow these steps to unpair your Apple Watch: Open the Watch app on your iPhone > tap “My Watch”> Tap your Watch > Tap the “Info button” on the right of “Watch details.” > tap “unpair Apple Watch > Tap Unpair watch name > enter your Apple ID password > Tap Unpair. 

Backup

Save all your iPhone’s data so that you can perform a factory resetting. You’ll need to backup all your files, including pictures, messages, passwords, and more. To back up your iPhone, you can either use iCloud or iTunes. Note that iCloud automatically backups most of your information on your iPhone, but you can do it manually if you want to. 

To back up with iCloud:

  1. Make sure to be connected to a Wi-Fi network.
  2. Go to “Settings App” and tap your name on the top.
  3. iCloud > iCloud Backup.
  4. Tap on “Back Up Now.”

To back up with iTunes:

  1. Connect your Phone to your laptop. 
  2. Open iTunes and select your iPhone under Devices.
  3. Right-click the device, and tap Back Up.

Sign- out your iCloud and iTunes account

After you finish the backup, the next thing to do is to make sure to sign out of iCloud, iTunes, and App Store. By doing this, you prevent unauthorized access to your data in the future after you sell iPhone. To sign out, go to “Settings App” on your iPhone > Tap on “Apple ID”> scroll down to the bottom, and tap “Sign Out.” Furthermore, don’t forget to deregister iMessage to avoid the possibility of your old iPhone receiving messages addressed to you. 

Wipe the device

Now it’s time to delete the data and settings from your iPhone. 

  1. Launch Settings App.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on Reset.
  4. Tap Erase iPhone
  5. Tap Erase iPhone one more time to confirm
  6. Enter your Apple ID password if you have any restrictions passcode.
  7. Tap on Erase iPhone button. 

Remove Your SIM Card

Don’t forget to remove your SIM card before selling your used iPhone to a buyback service or someone else. You’ll need it for your next device. 

iPhone Trade-in Value

You might want to know what’s the trade-in value of a used iPhone. Before we dig into prices, you need to know that several factors play when getting an estimation. For example, brand, models, manufacturing year, cosmetic condition, and depreciation. Yes, depreciation is a fact because every year, there are new devices with advanced technology. Therefore, older models will lose their value. However, Apple products, especially iPhones, hold a good resell value because of their high demand on marketplaces. We give you a few examples of how much can you get for selling your old iPhone online:

  • A factory unlocked Apple iPhone 12 Mini 256GB in flawless condition will get you up to $457*.
  • An Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max 256GB factory unlocked, in good condition, gets you $441*

Where to sell an iPhone or any other gadget online? 

Now it’s the time to offload that iPhone and make some extra dollars. But the question is, which is the best place to sell used gadgets online? On the internet, you’ll find many options. For example, there are platforms to sell your devices on your own, like Craigslist or trustworthy buyback platforms. Below we listed some places where you can sell your iPhone for cash. 

Gadget Salvation

Gadget Salvation is an online platform that purchases used gadgets for cash. You can sell your used iPhone and any other gadget like a laptop, cell phone, gaming console and more, from the comfort of your home. Furthermore, the service includes valuation, inspection, and shipping fees. So, you don’t need to worry about returns! Plus, fast payment is guarantee within two working days from the reception of your items. Also, they set your payment via PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, or by Check. 

To sell iPhones or any other gadgets, find your model on the online catalog, answer few questions about your iPhone condition, and you’ll get an instant quote. If you like what you see, accept the offer, and you’ll receive a prepaid shipping label via email. Then, get a box, send your goods, and wait for your payment. 

Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace

Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace options allow you to sell your preowned gadgets by cutting middleman’s service. However, these platforms require you to work on listing, describing the product, searching price, dealing with shipping fees, and more. They are also not very safe and reliable because you need to meet strangers in person to complete the sale. Nevertheless, if you have the time, go for this option. We recommend you meet your buyer in a public place and be honest about the condition of your iPhone to avoid misunderstandings. 

Bottom Line

If you want to make the most profit from selling your preowned iPhone, you need to prepare your device for sale properly. For example, erasing your data, sign-out your iCloud, iTunes accounts, restore it to factory settings, and more. Once you completed these steps, the next thing is to find the best place to sell iPhone and get a decent offer. Whether you decide to use a buyback platform like Gadget Salvation or sell it yourself on Craigslist, remember that you need to provide honest information about your iPhone condition to get an accurate quote.