How to Wipe an iPhone to Sell

Before selling your iPhone, wiping it properly protects your personal information and prepares it for the next owner. Start by backing up anything worth keeping and transferring important data to your new phone. Then remove account connections before using Erase All Content and Settings to return the iPhone to factory settings.

A proper reset removes your photos, messages, apps, settings, and other personal information from the handset. However, a few preparation steps matter first. Skipping them can cost you important files or create Activation Lock headaches later. That’s why you need to know how to wipe an iPhone to sell it before handing it over.

The erase button shouldn’t be your first stop. A little preparation prevents lost memories, forgotten login details, and frustrating setup problems later.

Think of the wipe as the final clean-out. First, make sure everything worth keeping has somewhere safe to go.

Back Up Anything You Want to Keep

A backup gives you a safety net before the old phone disappears. You can use iCloud or create a computer backup using a Mac or Windows PC.

Apple recommends backing up before erasing an iPhone for sale. That backup can restore apps, settings, and personal information onto another device.
Before moving ahead, check important items yourself. Open Photos, Contacts, Notes, and Messages on the replacement device.

Pay extra attention to apps that don’t always transfer seamlessly. Banking apps, authenticator tools, and locally stored documents may need separate setup.

A five-minute check now can save a proper headache later.

Transfer Your Data to Your New iPhone First

Already bought your next iPhone? Complete the transfer before wiping the old one.

Apple’s Quick Start can move information between compatible devices. Apple currently recommends Quick Start for older devices running iOS 11 or later.

Once the transfer finishes, don’t immediately erase your previous phone. Give the new handset a quick once-over first.

Check things you actually rely on every day:

• Photos and videos
• Contacts
• Messages
• Notes and calendars
• Passwords
• Authenticator apps
• Banking apps
• Important downloaded files

Also confirm your mobile service works on the replacement handset. That step becomes particularly important when moving an eSIM.

Switching from iPhone to Android instead? Apple recommends deregistering iMessage before moving away from its ecosystem.

Check Your iPhone Model, Storage, and Condition

Selling becomes easier when you know exactly what you’re holding. Before wiping the handset, record its model, storage capacity, and overall condition.

Check details such as:

• Exact iPhone model
• Storage capacity
• Battery health
• Screen condition
• Scratches or dents
• Camera functionality
• Charging performance
• Button operation

Battery health usually appears under Settings > Battery > Battery Health on supported models.

These details matter because buyers and trade-in services use them for valuation. Mobile Guru currently considers storage, cosmetic condition, battery health, and functionality when valuing iPhones.

You can also check your iPhone’s value before wiping everything. Recording the details first saves reopening menus later.

If the handset recently had repairs, check Parts and Service History too. Apple now recommends completing any item marked Finish Repair before trading a device.

Unpair Your Apple Watch

Got an Apple Watch paired with the old iPhone? Unpair it before wiping the handset.

Apple specifically includes this step in its current pre-sale instructions. Unpairing helps separate the watch cleanly from the iPhone before ownership changes.

Don’t simply erase the phone and hope for the best. Sorting the watch first keeps the handover much cleaner.

Once your backup and transfer are sorted, wiping the handset is straightforward. Apple provides a built-in option designed for exactly this job.

Importantly, choose Erase All Content and Settings rather than Reset All Settings. The second option resets preferences but keeps personal content on the handset.

Step 1: Sign Out of Your Apple Account

Before selling, Apple recommends signing out of iCloud and its related services.

On current iOS versions, open Settings and tap your name. Then scroll down and choose Sign Out.

The exact prompts can differ by iOS version. For example, iOS 26 may offer Erase this iPhone during the sign-out process. Earlier versions can request your Apple Account password before switching off account services.

Follow the onscreen instructions shown on your device.

Don’t manually delete individual iCloud photos, contacts, or documents beforehand. When iCloud syncing remains active, deleting those items can remove them from iCloud and other connected devices too.

That’s one shortcut worth avoiding.

Step 2: Open Transfer or Reset iPhone

Next, open:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone

Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Your iPhone will show a summary of information being removed. Review it before continuing.

Apple uses this path for its current factory-reset process. The option erases personal content and returns the handset to factory settings.

Don’t accidentally choose Reset instead. Resetting network settings or preferences isn’t the same as clearing an iPhone for sale.

Step 3: Review What Will Be Removed

Before committing, iOS shows what the reset will erase.

The process removes information stored on the iPhone. That includes photos, contacts, apps, music, settings, and Apple Pay cards on the device. Services such as iMessage and FaceTime are also switched off there.

However, erasing the handset doesn’t automatically delete content already stored in iCloud.

That’s an important distinction. You’re clearing the physical phone rather than burning down your entire Apple ecosystem.

Provided your information is backed up properly, it remains available where expected.

Step 4: Enter Your Passcode and Apple Account Password

Apple may ask for your device passcode during the erase process. It can also request your Apple Account password.

These checks help confirm that the person wiping the device actually owns it.

If Find My is active, Apple may require your account credentials before continuing. Completing the normal erase process turns off Find My and Activation Lock.

Forgot your Apple Account password? Sort that out before posting the phone anywhere.

An account lock can stop the next owner from activating the handset.

Step 5: Delete Your eSIM Before Selling

Using an eSIM? Don’t forget this small but important step.

When the iPhone asks whether to keep or erase the eSIM, choose the option to erase the eSIM when selling the handset. Apple specifically recommends removing the eSIM profile when selling, trading, or giving away a device.

However, deleting an eSIM doesn’t necessarily cancel your mobile plan.

Need to cancel the service altogether? Contact your Australian mobile provider separately. Apple says plan cancellation needs to go through the provider.

Already transferred the number to your new phone? Great. You can then clear the old profile without leaving your service behind.

Step 6: Let the Factory Reset Finish

After confirming everything, leave the iPhone alone while it completes the wipe.

The reset may take several minutes. Don’t panic if the Apple logo appears while the device works through the process.

Once finished, the handset should display the familiar Hello screen. Apple identifies that screen as the endpoint of the factory-reset process.
Stop there.

Don’t set the phone up again using your own Apple Account. The next owner or trade-in service should receive it at the setup screen.

Yes, when you follow Apple’s normal pre-sale erase process correctly. Apple states that erasing the device this way turns off Find My and Activation Lock.

Activation Lock links an iPhone to the owner’s Apple Account. It exists to stop another person from activating a lost or stolen handset.

That protection is excellent while you own the phone. Once you’re selling it, however, the next owner needs a clean device.

An iPhone still showing iPhone Locked to Owner hasn’t been prepared correctly. Apple advises buyers not to take ownership until that lock disappears.

This point matters when selling through Mobile Guru as well. Its current terms require devices to be signed out of associated accounts and free from activation locks.

So, don’t just wipe visible photos and call it a day. Clear the account connection properly too.

A factory wipe clears the personal content stored on your iPhone. It isn’t the same as deleting your entire Apple Account.

When you choose Erase All Content and Settings, the device removes items including:

• Photos stored on the handset
• Contacts stored locally
• Messages
• Downloaded apps
• Music and local media
• Apple Pay cards
• Saved settings
• Account information
• Network and privacy settings
• Locally stored files

Apple also switches off services connected to that handset during the process. Your content stored in iCloud isn’t automatically deleted simply because the device gets erased.

That distinction explains why backing up matters. The phone becomes clean while your cloud-based information can remain available elsewhere.

From a security perspective, Apple’s device-erasure system also destroys keys used to access encrypted user data. Apple’s platform documentation describes erased user data as becoming cryptographically inaccessible.

In plain English, a proper factory wipe does far more than hide your files.

The Hello screen is your biggest clue. Once it appears, the iPhone has returned to its initial setup state.

Before packing the phone, do a final quick check:

• Your old Home Screen shouldn’t appear.
• Personal apps shouldn’t remain accessible.
• The phone should begin with Apple’s setup process.
• Your physical SIM should be removed.
• The old eSIM should be deleted when applicable
• No Apple Account credentials should appear during normal setup.

Don’t complete the setup process again. There’s no need.

If the phone asks for the previous owner’s Apple Account during setup, Activation Lock remains active. That problem needs fixing before the handset changes hands.

A clean Hello screen keeps things simple for everyone.

Realised too late? Don’t ignore it and hope for the best.

Apple first recommends contacting the new owner where appropriate and asking them to erase the device properly. You should also review your trusted devices and protect your Apple Account.

If Find My still links the sold handset to your account, iCloud’s Find Devices tools can help. Apple’s instructions allow former owners to erase the device remotely before removing it from their account.

When using remote erase, remember one important difference. A remote Find My wipe can leave Activation Lock active until you remove the device from your account.

After the erase completes, use Remove This Device where appropriate.

Also remove payment cards or passes if they remain associated with the old handset. If your Apple Account security worries you, change the password and review two-factor authentication.

Act sooner rather than later. Personal information isn’t something worth leaving to chance.

With the data sorted, give the handset one final once-over before selling.

Remove any physical SIM card. Then take off personal accessories unless the buyer specifically wants them.

A soft microfibre cloth can clean fingerprints from the screen and frame. Avoid harsh chemicals or soaking ports with cleaning liquid.

Next, confirm the details you recorded earlier:

• Model
• Storage
• Battery health
• Cosmetic condition
• Screen condition
• Functional issues

Describe damage accurately. A tiny scratch is one thing. A cracked display or faulty camera is another.

Once everything is ready, you can sell your iPhone through Mobile Guru and request an instant online quote.

Mobile Guru currently provides free Australia Post Express shipping for sell orders. After inspection, approved payouts are generally processed within 24 hours by bank transfer.

That means your old handset doesn’t need to spend another year gathering dust in a drawer.

Once the wipe is complete, selling becomes fairly straightforward.

Mobile Guru’s current process follows three main stages: get an online quote, post the device, then receive payment after inspection.

For anyone ready to sell your old phone, start by entering the correct model, storage, and condition. Accurate information helps the inspection match the original quote.

Then pack the iPhone securely before dropping it at Australia Post. Don’t chuck it loose into a satchel and hope for the best.

Keep the phone switched off during shipping. Also make sure your SIM, accounts, and personal information are already removed.

At that stage, you’ve done your part. The handset is ready for assessment and potentially a second life.