Here’s How To Prepare For An iPhone Trade-In

An iPhone trade-in can be a smart way to save money on a new smartphone.

It solves two problems in one hit: it means you don’t have to worry about selling the old iPhone, with the potential risk of being ripped-off by private buyers; and it reduces the upfront cost of the new device. And if that’s a new iPhone, any saving you can make will be very welcome!

There are several different routes to trading in an iPhone and this article will explore the various options. You’ll also find out how to prepare your device before sending it off, ensuring that none of the personal data stored on your old iPhone is at risk of being stolen.

Should You Trade In Your iPhone?

Trading in an iPhone is a sensible way to reduce the cost of an upgrade, particularly if the phone isn’t that old and retains a reasonably high trade-in value.

The amount of money you can earn from a trade-in varies depending on the age and condition of the iPhone and which retailer you choose to trade with, but you can recoup several hundred dollars if the phone is only a generation old and in decent condition. For those who simply must have the latest iPhone, it’s a good way of keeping down costs.

One of the big benefits of trade-ins is that they’re generally a safer option than simply selling the device. Although you might not get the price you see second-hand models of your phone selling for on sites such as eBay, you also don’t have any of the risks of a private sale and the potential for fraud. There are countless examples of scams that can leave iPhone sellers out of pocket.

Trading in with Apple or a reputable network also means the device is almost certain to be professionally reconditioned, meaning there’s no chance of your private data leaking or phone getting hacked (see “How do you prepare your iPhone for a trade in?” below.)

How To Trade In Your iPhone

The first big decision you need to make is who you’re going to trade in your phone with.

Apple offers trade-ins from its website, as do many iPhone retailers. The major cell phone networks also offer trade-ins, so it’s well worth exploring your options on different sites and finding out which will give you the best deal. As you’ll see below, trade-in values can vary by hundreds of dollars, so definitely shop around for the best deal.

We’ll run through the trade-in processes for Apple and the major networks below. However, you will normally be offered a value for your old iPhone at the time of purchase.

You’ll be asked questions about the condition of your phone at the point of valuation and there’s no sense in being dishonest here–if your phone is a beaten-up wreck with a smashed screen don’t pretend it’s pristine to boost the valuation, as it will simply be rejected when you send the phone in and you’ll end up paying full price.

The company will normally send you a trade-in kit when you get your new phone, which you have to return to them within a certain period.

Some retailers may offer in-store trade-ins that allow you to get a confirmed valuation of your old handset instantly.

How Do You Prepare Your iPhone For A Trade-In?

If you’re sending your iPhone to a retailer/network for trade-in or doing it in-store, the key thing is to clear your phone of any personal data.

However, timing is key here. If you’re trading in by mail, you’ll want to wait for your new phone to arrive before deleting any data from your old handset. That way you can transfer all your photos, messages etc. to the new phone before wiping it and sending it back.

If you’re trading in the phone in-store, it’s worth checking with the retailer about the process first. Apple, for example, recommends that you don’t wipe the phone prior to visiting the store.

The good news is that when you order a new iPhone and sign in with your Apple account on the new device, the old iPhone’s Settings app should now include a section asking you, “What’s next for this iPhone?” You can click that and follow the instructions to wipe the device clean before sending it back.

If you’re not buying a new iPhone, you can find the same option by opening Settings and clicking General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

If you’re having trouble switching on your old device, read this guide to restarting your iPhone.

Apple iPhone Trade-In

Apple is the obvious place to start if you’re thinking about an iPhone trade-in. It offers both online and in-store trade-in options.

If you click to buy any new iPhone on the Apple website, you should see the option to trade-in your current iPhone on the page, after you’ve configured the phone you wish to buy. You’ll be asked to specify the model of your old iPhone. An iPhone 14 Pro Max could earn up to $630 of trade-in value at the time of writing; at the other end of the scale, an iPhone 7 commands only $30.

Note that Apple also accepts selected models from other manufacturers for trade-in. It also allows you to set up airtime contract with cell phone networks, so it’s worth checking the trade-in value you get from Apple as well as your preferred network.

Once you’ve selected your model, you’ll be asked about the condition of the phone. Answer truthfully. Even if the phone isn’t in pristine condition, it might still retain some trade-in value.

If you’re ordering online, Apple will send a trade-in kit for your old phone, which you must return within 14 days. You will be charged full price when you order the phone, but the trade-in value will be returned to you when Apple receives and assesses the condition of the trade-in device.

If you plan to trade-in at an Apple Store, unpair all Apple Watch devices and back up your iPhone before visiting the store, and also sign out of iCloud, iTunes and the App Store. However, do not erase the device until it’s been assessed by an Apple specialist. They will help you erase all the personal content in store.

Verizon iPhone Trade-In

The Verizon website offers a straightforward process for iPhone trade-ins.

You’ll be asked what type of iPhone (or other smartphone) you intend to trade in and, unlike Apple, how much storage it has. You’ll also be asked a few questions about the condition of the device.

To give you a flavor of the deals on offer, we were offered $522 for an iPhone 14 Pro Max with 256GB of storage. That’s more than $100 less than Apple was offering for the same handset.

If you’re happy with the trade-in deal you’re offered, you’ll be asked for the phone’s IMEI number. The easiest way to get that is by dialing *#06# in the Phone app.

Once you’re ready to send the phone, you can either request a shipping kit or use your own packaging. Verizon stores can also accept trade-in handsets.

AT&T iPhone Trade-In

AT&T offers a trade-in service that you can use to subsidize the cost of a new device or use to gain AT&T credits.

When you receive your new phone, the company will send you a mailing kit to send in your old device, although that may not arrive for around 10 business days after the new handset. You then mail back the old device and wait for the credits to be applied, but this can take up to three billing cycles.

AT&T offered $475 for an iPhone 14 Pro Max with 256GB of storage, which is much less than we were offered by both Apple and Verizon, although it’s worth checking the offer for your particular handset.

T-Mobile iPhone Trade-In

The T-Mobile trade-in site starts by asking directly for your phone’s IMEI number, which allows the network to look up the spec of the phone and give you an instant valuation.

Alternatively, you can enter details manually. For an iPhone 14 Pro Max with 256GB of storage in good condition, we were offered $465, which is considerably less than both Apple and Verizon. However, the T-Mobile website adds that “this trade-in value is just part of the deal. Keep going through the purchase process to see other promotions that may save you even more.”

T-Mobile says that the fastest way to secure a trade-in is to visit one of its stores. If you prefer to mail your old phone, you’ll need to print off a shipping label and wait for the company to send you a shipping kit. You must send the old phone to the company within 30 days and the company warns it may take two billing cycles for trade-in value to be applied to your account.

Is It Safe
Safe
To Trade In Your Phone?

If you’re dealing with Apple or one of the major networks listed above, it’s probably safer than trying to sell the phone privately on sites such as eBay, where you can easily end up in dispute with buyers over the condition of the phone or whether it arrived in the first place.

That said, it’s not risk free. If you’re sending the device back by the postal service or courier, there’s always the risk the trade-in device could go missing in transit, leaving you to foot the full bill for the new phone.

The company may also disagree with your assessment of the condition of the phone and downgrade it accordingly. In such instances, it may not be possible to get your handset returned.

Bottom Line

Trading in your old iPhone to get a new smartphone is a good way to cut costs and stop your house being cluttered with old tech. It’s generally a safer option than attempting to sell the phone privately too. Do shop around, though, as trade-in values can vary enormously.