Did you know that the average Apple product has a lifespan of 4.3 years?
Whether you’re due for an upgrade or just looking to treat yourself or a loved one to a shiny new device, you’re probably wondering what to do with your old Apple products.
After all, you don’t want to contribute to the 44 pounds of e-waste that the average American produces every year, do you?
Luckily for you, it’s easy to sell old Apple products for cash — and quickly. Here’s everything you need to know about how to do it.
Finding the Right Buyer
The easiest sale doesn’t always mean the best price for you. As you consider your options, start with where you bought the product from.
If it’s an iPhone, see if your cell phone carrier buys back devices for credit toward an upgrade. If you purchased directly from Apple or Best Buy, these retailers usually offer buyback credit, too.
Check the terms and conditions and ask for an estimate based on your device’s condition. But don’t be willing to settle.
If you want to take matters into your own hands, you can also consider selling through online platforms like:
- Craigslist
- eBay
- Facebook Marketplace
When it comes to selling online, transparency reigns supreme. Two easy ways of accomplishing this are by including plenty of photos of your device and by disclosing any damages you’re aware of.
Sometimes, buyers are willing to overlook scratches, cracked screens, or degenerated batteries. But if your device is going to need repairs, it’s best to price accordingly and be upfront about it.
Of course, selling to strangers poses its own risks. You can start small by asking your friends and family if they’re in the market for a new device. If not, they might be able to recommend buyers they’ve had a positive experience with.
Prepping for Sale
Once you’ve found a buyer, it’s time to prep your devices for sale. This will vary based on which Apple devices you’re selling.
If you’re figuring out how to sell an iPhone or iPad, there are a few ways to ensure that you are ready to hand off your device to a new user.
Start by creating backups of your data. You can do this using an external hard drive or Apple’s iCloud storage. Take note that you may have to pay extra for iCloud if your data exceeds the free limit.
Then, unpair any Bluetooth devices you’ve connected to your phone. These include speakers, AirPods, car stereos, and Apple Watches. You’ll also want to log out of any accounts and then remove your data.
The easiest way to remove personal data from your iPhone is by factory-resetting it.
This restores your phone to the factory settings as if it were new. Your apps, passwords, settings, and even home screen arrangement will all be removed for the next user.
Note: It’s important to take this step only after you’ve ensured that all of your data has been properly backed up.
But what about other Apple devices?
AirPods and Apple Watches
Condition matters even more for devices like used earbuds. People want to know that these devices are good as new — that means thoroughly cleaned.
Start by unpairing your AirPods from any Bluetooth devices you’ve connected to.
For cleaning, Apple recommends never running your AirPods under water. Instead, you’ll need:
- A soft, dry, lint-free cloth
- Dry cotton swabs
- 70% isopropyl alcohol or Clorox wipes
Clean the earbuds, microphone, and speaker meshes, and never use the AirPods until they’re fully dried. Avoid using sharp or abrasive materials to clean them.
For Apple watches, unpair them from your devices just like you did for your AirPods. You can also use 70% isopropyl alcohol or Clorox wipes for your watch. Visit the Apple website for details on cleaning the watch face and band.
Macs
Whether you’re selling an iMac desktop computer, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro, backing up and then deleting your data is the most important step.
If you have sensitive personal information on your computer — like bank information, tax records, identification documents, or even photographs — someone can use this to commit fraud or identity theft.
It’s not enough to simply remove files from your computer, as they can still linger on your hard drive.
Start by backing up your data to an external hard drive or the cloud, as you would for an iPhone or iPad. Sign out of all of your accounts and apps, then unpair any Bluetooth devices you’ve connected.
Then, reset the NVRAM to clear any user settings or security features that might’ve been modified. After that, erase your hard drive and reinstall macOS.
You’ll know you’ve done this right when your Mac restarts and sends you to a setup assistant that asks what country or region you’re in.
Tips for Selling Safely
If you opt not to sell to a traditional retailer, there are many ways you can protect yourself when selling to a stranger.
Ask to meet them in a public, high-traffic, well-lit area — such as a store parking lot during the day. If they object, this could be a red flag.
You might even consider selling in front of your local police station, as many of them have designated “safe spaces” for item sales and handoffs.
Then, ignore buyers who can’t pay in the method you requested. If they say they can’t pay via cash, check, or money transfer, this may be a sign of a scam — especially if they offer to pay in gift cards or trades instead.
This brings us to the next point: Avoid trades altogether. You can never be too sure of a product’s quality before the trade.
Especially if the product sounds more valuable than yours, you could end up saddled with a broken, damaged, or even counterfeit device of lesser value.
When in doubt, it’s always best to find a local, reputable buyer who will be direct and won’t lowball you when selling an iPhone for cash.
Sell Old Apple Products to Us Today
If you’re looking to sell old Apple products in the Dallas area, we have you covered. We buy everything from iPhones, iPads, and Macs to Airpods and Apple Watches.
We will pay the most for your used Apple devices, and we also pay in cash.
And it’s never been easier to get a free quote! You can send us your specs via text, email, or our website. Or, if you’d rather stop by in-person, we’re open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. We hope to see you soon!
