How to Sell Your iPhone? If you’re shopping for the latest iPhone or want to escape Apple altogether and switch to Android, selling your current iPhone can generate cash to put toward the new device. As a result, iPhones tend to keep their resale value fairly well compared to leading Android brands. Selling your old one when the time comes is still a smart idea.
However, there are a few things you should do to safeguard yourself from scams. Here’s our step-by-step guide to selling your iPhone to get the best return possible.
If you have a more recent model like the iPhone 11 and want to upgrade, then you could lose a chunk of change by dragging your feet. That’s because the newest devices, just like cars, tend to decline steeply in value in the first year or two.
In the past, selling an iPhone that was almost to be phased out in the newest version of iOS was a major concern for depreciation. However, for now, Apple has set a pause on this tactic, as iOS 14 supports the iPhone 6S and newer, just as iOS 13 did.
If you’ve decided to sell, the next big challenge is finding the best price. Here’s how to sell your iPhone and get the best price for it.
iPhone XS Max – How To Move Files To PC [5 Methods]
Completely Wipe Your iPhone
First, don’t just stuff your iPhone into a box and ship it. That would be a mistake. You must delete all data and revert the iPhone back to its original out-of-the-box state before moving to sell it. Sure, Apple security is secured, but you certainly don’t want your precious data falling into the wrong hands.
To reset your iPhone, track this path: Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Alternatively, follow our easy guide to factory reset an iPhone or how to reset an iPhone.
Sell it to Others Directly on Craigslist, eBay, etc.
Online classifieds, like Craigslist and eBay, are a reliable way to sell your phone and will give you the most control over the selling price. If you are ready to deal with spam, scams, and subpar emails, there are troves of eager Apple fanatics waiting to scoop up your old iPhone. This is regardless of its condition.
Craigslist and eBay will let you set your asking price — as opposed to other online websites that will offer you a fixed amount — and often prove the fastest and most lucrative avenues for discarding your device in the local area or otherwise. Craigslist prices still tend to fluctuate depending on timing and availability, but many people are willing to pay a bit more to avoid the hassle of shipping and waiting.
You might also consider a truly mobile device marketplace like Swappa. It’s free to list your iPhone, but you must carry verification photos for the ad to be approved by Swappa staff. The sale fee is added to the cost for potential buyers, and you should include shipping costs, so it won’t cost you anything extra to sell. Once you accept an offer, you’ll need to send the phone within two days.
How to Search All of Craigslist’s Website From Any Device?
Trade it in For Credit
If you’re willing to take store credit instead of cash, there are several retailers that offer gift certificates in lieu of traditional payments. After a quick online appraisal, they will make you a proposal in the form of a credit toward a new phone or other in-store items.
Online retailers such as Amazon and Apple offer trade-in programs through their websites, while numerous stores and carriers, including Walmart, GameStop, Verizon, and Best Buy, offer in-store trade-ins. Keep in mind the amount of credit will differ depending on your iPhone’s age and condition, as well as when and where you turn it in.
Sell it to a Company
There are also a bunch of online companies willing to pay you top dollar for your old phone. This is primarily true if you decide to forgo the hassle associated with Craigslist and the like. The prevalence of online services work in the same manner and requires you to submit the necessary information, such as the carrier, memory, and physical condition. This is before you receive any sort of quote.
After filling in the blanks, these websites will make a proposal. If you obtain it, you print a label to ship the iPhone to the service’s central address. Payment via check or PayPal should come within a week or so.
How Much is Your Old iPhone Worth?
We chose to check out how much you can get for several popular iPhone examples so we can give you a side-by-side comparison. These prices are based on a fully working phone in working condition with a charger and cable. These costs were correct at the time of writing, but keep in mind they are likely to fluctuate over time. Use them as guides, but always double-check.
We found some of the highest prices on eBay. They can be higher than the averages we’ve posted. However, fees can change, so they can go lower too, and you will have to pay fees and organize postage and packing. There are some decent trade-in prices presented by Amazon, but the credit is only applied to on-site sales. These are cash bids unless otherwise stated.
The eBay costs listed here are averages based on data collected by Average Finder. Bear in mind you’ll have to factor in costs and postage and packing costs.
How to Tell How Old Your Phone Is?
Used 128GB iPhone 12 on AT&T in Good Condition
- Best Buy: $500 (gift card)
- EBay: $811 (average)
- UpTrade: $520
- Apple: N/A
- Decluttr: $521
- uSell: N/A
- Glyde: $375
- Gazelle: $315
- BuybackBoss: $475
- Amazon N/A
Used 128GB iPhone 11 on Verizon in Good Condition
- Best Buy: $350 (gift card)
- EBay: $545.88 (average)
- UpTrade: $430
- Apple: Up to $380
- Decluttr: $411
- uSell: $340
- Glyde: $496
- Gazelle: $210
- BuybackBoss: $415
- Amazon $270 (gift card)
Used 64GB iPhone X for AT&T in Good Condition
- Best Buy: $180 (gift card)
- eBay: $300 (on average)
- UpTrade: $185
- Apple: Up to $205
- Decluttr: $205
- uSell: $190
- Glyde: $135
- Gazelle: $95
- BuybackBoss: $210
- Amazon Trade-In: $160
How to Set Up Voicemail on iPhone? Complete Guide
Final Tip: Sell Soon
The older your iPhone is, the less it’s worth. Part of that is only supply and demand economics, but the device’s quality and its app compatibility will also decrease. We all understand people rush to trade in their old iPhones as soon as Apple releases a new one — since the iPhone 12 came out, for example, trade-in prices for the iPhone 11 have fallen sharply. Look for websites that lock in your cost but give you a 30-day window to return the iPhone.
However, if supply is low, prices can also rise. Therefore, it is worth tracking prices over a brief period and reaching all your selling options to see how you can get the most money with the right decision.