What to do before you sell or give away an iPhone

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

An iPhone that is still linked to your Apple Account is useless to the next owner and keeps your data at risk. Apple's own checklist takes about fifteen minutes.

Step by step

1. Back up or transfer your data

   Make an iCloud backup under Settings, your name, iCloud, iCloud Backup, or move everything directly to your new iPhone with Quick Start.

   Done

2. Unpair your Apple Watch

   Do this in the Watch app first, so the watch can be paired with your new phone.

   Done

3. Open Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone

   It is at the bottom of General.

   Done

4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings

   Enter your passcode and your Apple Account password when asked. The password step is what removes Find My and Activation Lock.

   Done

5. Wait for the Hello screen

   The phone is now empty and no longer linked to you.

   Done

6. Tidy up afterwards

   Remove the phone from your list of trusted devices under Settings, your name on your new device. Cancel or transfer AppleCare if you have it, and remove the SIM card.

   Done

Good to know

Do not delete contacts, photos or calendars by hand while still signed in to iCloud. That deletes them from iCloud and your other devices too.

Moving to an Android phone? Switch off iMessage first under Settings, Apps, Messages, so that texts from iPhone users still reach you.

If you have already handed the phone over without erasing it, ask the new owner to erase it, or erase it yourself at icloud.com/find and then remove it from your account. Change your Apple Account password as well.

A buyer can check the phone is clean: after it is switched on, it should show Hello and not ask for someone else's Apple Account.

In short: Back up, unpair the watch, Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings.