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Device Management · 5 min read

How to Factory Reset iPhone Before Selling or Trading In

By iPhone Update Editorial Desk · Reviewed September 19, 2026 ·5 min read
DIRECT ANSWER

Before selling or trading in your iPhone, you must sign out of iCloud, unpair Apple Watch, disable Find My, and erase all content and settings. Skipping these steps can lock the buyer out of the device with Activation Lock.

1. Create a Final Backup

Before erasing anything, make sure you have a complete backup:
  • iCloud Backup or encrypted local backup (see our backup guide).
  • Verify that your photos, contacts, and important app data are safely stored.

2. Unpair Apple Watch (If Applicable)

  1. Keep your iPhone and Apple Watch close together.
  2. Open the Watch app on iPhone.
  3. Tap All Watches → [i] next to your watch → Unpair Apple Watch.
  4. Enter your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock on the Watch.
  5. This automatically backs up your Watch data to iPhone.

3. Sign Out of iCloud & Apple ID

  1. Open Settings → [Your Name] (your Apple ID banner at the top).
  2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Sign Out.
  3. Enter your Apple ID password.
  4. Choose whether to keep a copy of your data on this iPhone (select "No" since you're erasing it).
  5. Tap Sign Out again to confirm.

Critical: This disables Activation Lock. If you skip this step, the next owner will be unable to set up the phone without your Apple ID credentials.

4. Erase All Content and Settings

  1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
  3. Enter your passcode and Apple ID password if prompted.
  4. Confirm the erase. The iPhone will reboot and show the Apple logo with a progress bar.
  5. When complete, the iPhone will display the "Hello" setup screen — ready for the new owner.

5. Remove the iPhone from Your Apple ID

After erasing:
  1. Go to appleid.apple.com on any device.
  2. Sign in and go to Devices.
  3. Select the sold iPhone and click Remove from Account.

Do not do these

  • NEVER erase your iPhone before signing out of iCloud. Activation Lock will remain active, making the device a paperweight for the buyer.
  • Do NOT remove your SIM card before initiating the erase — some carrier-related settings require the SIM to properly deregister.
  • If you use eSIM, the erase process will delete the eSIM profile. Contact your carrier about transferring it to your new device before erasing.

Questions this page actually answers

Can a factory reset be undone?

No. A factory reset securely erases all data using the device's hardware encryption keys. The data cannot be recovered. This is why backing up first is essential.

Will factory reset remove Activation Lock?

Only if you sign out of iCloud BEFORE erasing. If you erase without signing out, Activation Lock remains tied to your Apple ID.

How long does a factory reset take?

Typically 5–15 minutes, depending on the amount of data being securely wiped.

Next useful pages

Sources

Prepared by the iPhone Update Editorial Desk. Independent technical reference. Not affiliated with Apple Inc.