How to Factory Reset an iPhone Before Selling or Giving It Away
Six steps in the right order, so the buyer gets a clean phone and none of your data, accounts or activation locks travel with it.
Step one: back up. iCloud or a computer backup, then verify the backup finished today, not last month. Step two: move two-factor apps and eSIM plans if this is your only device, because a reset phone cannot receive your codes.
Step three: sign out of iCloud in Settings under your name; this removes the device from Find My and clears Activation Lock. Step four: if you are moving to Android, deregister iMessage on Apple website so texts keep arriving. Step five: Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings, and confirm.
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Step six: remove the SIM or cancel the eSIM, take off the case, and clean the phone. Sold prices rise noticeably for a phone that looks cared for, and our price checks on the newer models will show you exactly what your upgrade costs after the sale.
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