Before you sell your iPhone, you need to sign out of iCloud and erase it. If you skip the iCloud step, the buyer gets a locked phone — and you get it shipped back to you. Takes two minutes. Here's the exact process.
The Fast Version (iOS 16 and Later)
On your iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings → Continue.
iOS will automatically sign you out of iCloud and remove the device from your Apple ID during this process — as long as you're connected to Wi-Fi when you erase.
That's it for most people. If you want to understand what's happening at each step, or if you're on older iOS, read on.
Step 1: Back Up First (Optional But Smart)
Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Or connect to iTunes/Finder and back up to your computer. Takes 2–5 minutes over Wi-Fi.
If you're selling a broken iPhone that won't respond, skip this — you can still remove it from iCloud remotely.
Step 2: Remove Your SIM Card
Use the SIM ejector tool (or a paperclip) to remove your SIM before erasing. Your phone number goes with the SIM — you'll need it in your new phone. Don't ship it with the device.
Step 3: Sign Out of iCloud (Find My iPhone)
This is the critical step. An active iCloud/Find My lock prevents the buyer from setting up the phone — and triggers an Activation Lock rejection at any buyback service.
Settings → [Your Name] → Sign Out → enter your Apple ID password → turn off Keep a Copy of Data → Sign Out.
Alternatively, the full erase in Step 4 will handle this automatically on iOS 16+ as long as you're online.
Step 4: Erase the iPhone
Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
Enter your passcode, then Apple ID password if prompted. The phone will erase and restart to the setup screen — this is exactly where it needs to be when the buyer or inspector receives it.
What If the iPhone Won't Turn On?
You can remove it from iCloud remotely without physical access:
- Go to icloud.com/find on any browser
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- Select the iPhone → Erase iPhone → Remove from Account
This disables Activation Lock so the buyer can set up the phone. You can still sell a broken iPhone — removing it from iCloud first is the only thing that matters for the buyer.
Confirm It Worked
On another device, go to Settings → [Your Name] and scroll to the list of devices. Your iPhone should no longer appear there. If it still shows, the erase didn't complete — go to icloud.com/find and remove it manually.
Checklist Before You Ship
- ✅ SIM card removed
- ✅ Signed out of iCloud / Find My disabled
- ✅ iPhone erased to setup screen
- ✅ No longer showing in your Apple ID device list
- ✅ Original box/charger included if you have it (adds value)
Once that's done, get your instant quote at iPhoneTraderExpress.com — free UPS label, same-day payment after inspection. Any condition accepted.