What to do before sell ​​iPhone? 5 steps before sell your iPhone

Prepare an iPhone for sale in 5 steps

Before disposing of your iPhone, it is important that you have backed up your device. This way you save your data and easily transfer them to your new device. Then it’s time to reset your iPhone to factory settings. This way you can be sure that the new owner of your device does not have access to, for example, your personal conversations, photos and videos.

Just like in other workshops, we help you on your way step by step. This is how you prepare your iPhone for sale:

1. Sell the old iPhone? Transfer all your data

You may have already transferred your data to your latest iPhone, but otherwise it is important to make a backup (backup). With a backup, all your files, apps, and settings are stored in iCloud. You can easily put this back on your new iPhone later. Here’s how to make a backup:

• Open the Settings app, tap your name at the top and choose “iCloud> iCloud Backup”.
• Choose “Back Up Now”.

Don’t use iCloud, or don’t have storage space? Then you can also make the backup on your Mac or PC. You can read how to do this in the article about backup iPhone.

2. Unpair the Apple Watch

If you have an Apple Watch, it is wise to disconnect it from the iPhone you are going to sell. This will save yourself any problems – and headaches. That’s how you do that:

1. Keep the iPhone and Apple Watch close to each other.
2. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
3. Go to the “My Watch” tab and tap your paired Apple Watch.
4. Tap the “i” next to your displayed Watch.
5. Select “Unpair Apple Watch” and confirm with your Apple ID password.

After unpairing, a backup of your Apple Watch is automatically saved. The Apple Watch will be reset to factory settings.

3. Turn off “Find My iPhone”

To properly secure the iPhone, Apple has not made it too easy to completely erase an iPhone. First, you need to disable the “Find My iPhone” feature, which requires your Apple ID password. How to disable the function:

• Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top.
• Select “Find My” and tap “Find My iPhone”.
• Set the switch behind “Find My iPhone” to gray and enter the password for your Apple ID.

4. Delete all data

Now you can completely erase your iPhone. All data on your iPhone will be deleted. This is how you reset your iPhone to factory settings:

• Open the Settings app and select “General”.
• Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap “Reset”.
• Select “Erase all content and settings” and confirm.

5. Remove the SIM card

It may seem obvious, but it is something that people quickly forget: removing the SIM card. Take it out, because you need the sim on your new device to be able to app, call and use the internet.

You can remove an iPhone SIM card with the stick that Apple has given you in the white box. If you don’t have one, you can also use a paper clip, for example. With this you poke the hole in the drawer, after which you slide the SIM card out.

Tips for selling your iPhone

After following the steps above, your iPhone is ready for a new owner. Time to enter the market with your device, but where do you do that? And what else should you pay attention to when selling your iPhone?

Where can you sell your iPhone?

When you think of selling your iPhone, you probably think of Marktplaats. But there are more ways to get money for a used iPhone:

• Auction sites (eBay, Marktplaats, Facebook Marketplace)
• Refurbished Providers
• Providers ( like T-Mobile, Vodafone etc.)
• Apple Trade-In

In addition to the well-known auction sites, you can choose to sell your iPhone to companies. This is often an easier and safer way. A disadvantage is that it yields less money.

For example, you can sell your device to refurbished providers. The better the iPhone is, the more money you will receive. You can also lose your phone to providers, such as T-Mobile and Vodafone. This is a trade-in deal; you will receive a discount on your new smartphone.

It is also possible to return your old iPhone to Apple. You do this through the Apple Trade In program you will then receive a discount on your iPhone or an Apple Store gift card to the value of the trade-in amount. Experience has shown that you get relatively little money from Apple for an old iPhone. It is therefore usually better to contact other providers.

Sell ​​your phone quickly

If you want money quickly for your iPhone, the best thing to do is to put it on online auction sites. The competition is fierce there – but so is the demand for second-hand iPhones. With a bit of luck, some reactions will start pouring in after one day.

When placing an advertisement, think of shooting good photos and making a clear description. For example, what the condition of the device is, and whether the original accessories are included. Share the ad on your social media channels or forward it to friends or family. Maybe they know someone else.

If you do need a new Apple product, you can also choose to visit an Apple Store. A big advantage of this is that they immediately calculate the value of your old device, after which you immediately receive a discount on the purchase of a new product. If you send your iPhone by post, the process will take a lot longer. Usually about two to three weeks.

If you sell your iPhone to a refurbished provider, the verification process will take a few days. Usually you will receive the money for your old iPhone after about a week.

How do you make better money?

Do you sell your iPhone on auction sites such as Marktplaats? Then give your iPhone as complete as possible. That is not only good for the owner, but also for your wallet. So look for the original box and also include the supplied earplugs, charger and other accessories. If necessary, add a cover that you would otherwise no longer use. Get another cloth over for some bling bling and take a nice picture of the whole thing.

To determine the price, you can look at the prices of competing ads. Take the storage capacity of your iPhone into account. If your device has a higher storage than the entry-level version, you can ask more money for it. On the page about iPhone models you can see which capacities there are per model. It goes without saying that an iPhone that is in perfect condition delivers more than a device with scratches on the screen.

Sell ​​broken iPhone

A broken iPhone is also (usually) worth money. For example, you can hand it in to providers of refurbished smartphones, providers and Apple’s Trade In program. On the relevant website you can quickly calculate how much money (or trade-in discount) you will receive for the device. For example, the condition of the battery, housing, buttons and display is examined.

If the damage is not too bad, it often pays better to try online platforms. Buyers are less strict and don’t always care much about a small hairline crack in the top corner. They want to overlook this for a good price.

Sales descriptions for inspiration

Do you choose to put your iPhone on an online auction website? Then, in addition to taking a good photo, also pay attention to writing a good sales description.

We help you with a few examples that you can use with the ad:

Sell ​​iPhone XS

This 5.8-inch iPhone XS (from 2018) is still in excellent condition. The beautiful OLED screen is scratch-free and it has a new battery. You get the iPhone XS in the original box, including charger, charging cable and EarPods.

Color: Space gray
Storage: 256 GB
Battery capacity: 92%

Sell ​​iPhone X

This iPhone X (from 2017) still works great, but has light signs of use. The back shows a small crack and the OLED screen has a few hairline cracks. You get the iPhone X in the original box, including EarPods.

Color: Silver
Storage: 64 GB
Battery capacity: 82%

Sell ​​iPhone 8

This iPhone 8 (from 2017) is in absolute mint condition. So there are no signs of wear, scratches or other damage. All accessories (charger, charging cable, EarPods) are included and you get the iPhone 8 in the original packaging.

Color: Gold
Storage: 64 GB
Battery capacity: 79%

Sell ​​iPhone 7

Neat iPhone 7 with light signs of use on the side and back. The device has always been used in a case, which you get for free with purchase. You get the iPhone 7 complete with box, EarPods, and charger.

Color: Jet black
Storage: 32 GB
Battery capacity: 74%

Sell ​​iPhone SE

An iPhone SE from 2016 with light signs of use. The back shows a small crack and the 4-inch screen has a few hairline cracks. You get the iPhone SE in the original box, including EarPods.

Color: space gray
Storage: 16 GB
Battery capacity: 72%

Sell ​​iPhone 6s

This 4.7-inch iPhone 6s is still in excellent condition. The beautiful screen is scratch-free and it has a new battery. You get the iPhone 6s in the original box, including charger, charging cable, and EarPods.

Color: rose gold
Storage: 32 GB
Battery capacity: 82%