How to factory reset your iPhone before selling — step by step

Why you must reset your iPhone before selling

Sending your iPhone to a recycler without resetting it is a serious mistake. Your iPhone contains your photos, messages, banking apps, passwords and Apple ID. A recycler who receives a phone still linked to your account cannot sell it on — and some may charge you a fee for the return.

More importantly, a phone that still has your Apple ID active is "iCloud locked" — also called Activation Lock. Apple's security system means no one can use the phone until the original Apple ID is removed. This makes the phone worthless to a recycler and worth nothing in the second-hand market. You will either get a zero offer or have your phone returned to you.

This guide walks you through every step in the correct order.

Step 1 — Back up your iPhone

Before you erase anything, back up your data. You have two options:

iCloud backup (easiest):

1. Connect to WiFi
2. Go to Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup
3. Tap Back Up Now
4. Wait for the backup to complete — this can take several minutes
5. Confirm the backup completed by checking the Last Backup timestamp

Mac or PC backup:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer with a cable
2. Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (PC)
3. Select your iPhone when it appears
4. Click Back Up Now
5. Wait for completion

A computer backup is faster and gives you a complete local copy of everything on your phone.

Step 2 — Transfer or download important items

Some things are not included in a standard iCloud backup:

• Photos — if iCloud Photos is enabled, your photos are already in the cloud. If not, connect to your computer and copy the DCIM folder manually.
• iMessages and WhatsApp — iMessages back up via iCloud. WhatsApp requires a manual backup within the app before you can restore it (Settings → Chats → Chat Backup).
• Two-factor authentication apps — apps like Google Authenticator do not back up automatically. Transfer your codes to a new device or use a backup method before erasing.

Step 3 — Sign out of iCloud

This is the most important step. Skipping it means the phone will be iCloud locked and useless to the buyer.

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap your name at the top
3. Scroll down and tap Sign Out
4. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted
5. Choose whether to keep a copy of certain data on your phone (it will be erased anyway — choose either option)
6. Tap Sign Out again to confirm

Your Apple ID is now removed from the device. Activation Lock is disabled.

Step 4 — Remove your SIM card

Before erasing, remove your SIM card. You will need it for your new phone or your temporary replacement.

Find your SIM tray — on most iPhones it is on the right side of the device. Use the SIM ejector tool that came with your phone (or a straightened paperclip) to eject the tray. Remove the SIM and keep it safe.

Step 5 — Erase all content and settings

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap General
3. Scroll down to Transfer or Reset iPhone
4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings
5. Enter your passcode if prompted
6. Confirm by tapping Erase iPhone

The phone will restart and show the Hello screen — the same screen you saw when you first set it up. It is now factory reset, data-free, and ready to send to a recycler.

Step 6 — Confirm Activation Lock is removed

If you want to verify, go to appleid.apple.com on another device, sign in, and check that the iPhone no longer appears under your devices. If it does still appear, click the device and select Remove from Account.

What if your iPhone does not turn on?

If your iPhone is faulty and will not power on, you cannot complete the steps above. In this case:

1. Contact the recycler before sending and explain the situation
2. They will typically accept the phone but may adjust their offer
3. You can also remove the device from your Apple ID remotely via appleid.apple.com → Devices → select the phone → Remove from Account

This removes Activation Lock even if the phone cannot be switched on — making it acceptable to a recycler.

How to reset a Samsung before selling

The process is similar for Samsung Galaxy phones:

1. Back up via Samsung Cloud or Smart Switch
2. Sign out of your Samsung account (Settings → Accounts and backup → Manage accounts → Samsung account → Sign out)
3. Remove your Google account (Settings → Accounts and backup → Manage accounts → Google → Remove account)
4. Factory reset (Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset → Reset)

Removing both the Samsung account and Google account is important. A Google-locked Android phone cannot be used by a new owner.

You are ready to sell

With your iPhone backed up, iCloud signed out, SIM removed, and device reset, you are ready to send it to a recycler. Use GadgetRank to compare prices from every major UK recycler before you commit — the highest and lowest offers for your phone can differ by £50 or more.

Compare recycler prices for your iPhone →

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