As humans, we’re practically programmed to fall in love with the newest, best, and shiniest, and that includes our choice of smartwatches! But when you’re thirsting for the latest style, there’s often one thing holding you back: your old model.
Turning an old Apple Watch into cash can help you make the leap to the newest option, but with the cost of new Apple products on the rise, it’s critical to get every penny from your outdated gear. So how do you sell your Apple Watch for the maximum amount of cash? Here’s what you should know.
When Should You Sell Your Apple Watch?
In general, most people start considering selling their used Apple Watch around the time a newer version is released. Fortunately, this can also be a great time to put an outdated watch up for sale, as the launch of a new product generates interest and attention, and it can also attract buyers looking for deals on older versions.
September is when Apple usually announces new releases. If you’re considering a sale, you’ll want to make the deal in advance of the product release, as the price of older products tends to drop after that point.
Of course, you can find great prices for Apple Watches throughout the rest of the year as well, especially if you have a newer model and you take care to prep it for sale.
How Much Can You Sell Your Apple Watch For?
While you can recoup a great deal of value when selling other Apple products, the Apple Watch doesn’t always hold its value in the same way an iPhone or Mac would.
However, most sellers can expect to recoup anywhere from $30-200 on their watch, depending on the version you own.
The sale price will depend, of course, on a few factors.
First is the quality of the watch: does it turn on? Are there cracks or scratches on the screen? Is it fully functional?
Next, of course, is where you decide to sell: different buyers will offer different prices for the same device, even considering its condition, so you may want to shop around. Keep reading for tips on getting the best possible price.
What Should You Do Before You Sell Your Apple Watch?
Before you even think about handing your watch over to a stranger, you’ll want to prep it for sale. This is important not only in terms of getting the best price, but also for protecting your own privacy.
First, you’ll want to unpair your Apple Watch from your phone. Though the steps may vary a little from version to version, this will always involve pulling up the Apple Watch app on your phone. From there, you’ll need to find “My Watch” or “All Watches,” tap the info button (an “i”) next to the name of your smartwatch, select “Unpair Apple Watch,” and follow the prompts to confirm the process.
You’ll also want to opt to disable Activation Lock, which will allow the watch to pair with the buyer’s phone. To do this, you’ll need to enter your Apple ID password.
Once this is complete, your watch will back up its data to your iPhone and unpair itself. It will also delete your data, including any Apple Pay cards, and restore itself to factory settings.
If you’ve linked your Apple Watch to your iCloud account, you can remove it on your computer as well.
To do this, sign in with your Apple ID on iCloud.com, then select “Find My iPhone.” From there, choose “All Devices,” locate the entry for your Apple Watch, and select “Erase Apple Watch.” From there, all you need to do is follow the prompts, and your computer will erase the device itself!
Where Can You Sell Your Apple Watch?
As mentioned above, the price point for selling a used Apple Watch can vary widely depending on where you sell it. Whether you’re hoping to take care of the transaction online or in person, you have a few key options to consider.
Apple Trade-In
This is an easy option if you want to get some quick cash for your old watch, as the company is one of the main resources for selling outdated Apple products. However, the trade-in program may not offer you a great price for your product. You can expect offers from around $30 for an Apple Watch Series 1, though more recent series may net you prices as high as $100 or more.
Buy-Back Retailers
Big-box companies like Best Buy and Amazon will take your used Apple Watch off your hands with little fuss—and often little money as well. These options tend to lowball sellers in order to sell a refurbished Apple Watch for a profit, so you should expect to see a minimal price tag with these options.
Smaller companies, on the other hand, will often offer better pricing, especially if you opt for a local business. To sell your used Apple Watch in Dallas, for example, it can help to make the deal in person with a company experienced in buying and selling smartwatches.
Sell It Outright
If you have the extra time and don’t mind putting in the effort, it’s always possible to sell used electronics on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay. This is where you’ll see the most variation in terms of pricing, from insulting lowball offers to fairly high prices. However, whether you intend to sell your used Apple Watch in Dallas via an in-person handover or sell online only, you’ll have to be wary of common scams.
Selling Your Apple Watch?
If you’d like to sell your Apple Watch here in Dallas, we’re here to help. We’re the trusted resource for buying and selling Apple products throughout the metro area, and we’d love to get you a great price on your old smartwatch. Visit or call today to get the process started, or contact us for questions and concerns.