How to factory-reset an iPhone before selling or trading it in
Back up your data, transfer your phone number, remove Activation Lock and securely erase your iPhone before a sale, trade-in or gift.
Before you erase the iPhone
A factory reset is permanent, so confirm that your photos, messages, passwords, authenticator access and other important data are available on the new phone or in a usable backup. Apple recommends backing up before a sale, gift or trade-in. If you are moving to another iPhone, the Transfer or Reset iPhone screen can also help prepare the transfer.
Do not erase the old phone until the new phone can make calls, receive authentication codes and open the data you expect. A backup is useful only if you can access the Apple Account and recovery information needed to restore it.
- Complete an iCloud backup or an encrypted backup on a Mac or Windows PC
- Move any authenticator accounts or recovery codes that do not sync automatically
- Transfer the phone number and test calls, texts and cellular data on the replacement phone
- Unpair a connected Apple Watch through the Watch app so its backup is created and Activation Lock is removed
- Remove cards, tickets or local files that require a separate transfer
Exact steps to factory-reset an iPhone
On the iPhone, open Settings, tap General, choose Transfer or Reset iPhone, and then tap Erase All Content and Settings. Review the summary, tap Continue and enter the device passcode or Apple Account password if requested. The phone may take several minutes to erase and restart.
Use Erase All Content and Settings, not the nearby Reset menu. Reset All Settings changes preferences such as network and privacy settings but keeps personal data and media, so it is not sufficient before handing the phone to somebody else.
- Settings
- General
- Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Erase All Content and Settings
- Continue, authenticate and confirm
What to do with the SIM or eSIM
Remove a physical SIM before the phone leaves your possession. For an eSIM, make sure the cellular plan has transferred to the replacement phone or contact the carrier before deleting it. During the erase process, an iPhone with an eSIM can offer a choice to keep or erase the eSIM.
Erase the eSIM when the device is going to a new owner and the line has already moved. Keeping it can be useful only when you are erasing the phone for your own continued use. Deleting an eSIM does not cancel the carrier plan; Apple says cancellation still requires the carrier.
Activation Lock and Find My
Activation Lock prevents another person from activating an iPhone that remains tied to your Apple Account through Find My. Apple says erasing the iPhone through the proper on-device process removes Activation Lock when the required account credentials are supplied.
After the reset, the new owner should see the Hello setup screen without being asked for your Apple Account. If the phone still appears tied to you, use Find Devices at iCloud.com to erase it and then remove the device from your account. Do not give a buyer your password or verification code.
What not to do before selling an iPhone
Do not manually delete photos, contacts, calendars or notes one by one while the phone is still signed in to iCloud. Those deletions can sync to iCloud and your other Apple devices. A full erase is the correct way to clear the old phone without deleting cloud copies.
Do not ship or hand over the phone while it still shows your Home Screen, has your cards in Wallet, receives your texts or asks the buyer for your Apple Account. Also avoid advertising the device as unlocked unless the carrier has confirmed that status; erasing the phone does not automatically remove a carrier lock.
If you already sold or gave away the iPhone
Ask the new owner to erase the phone using the normal Settings steps if you trust them and they can still access the device. If that is not possible, sign in to Find Devices at iCloud.com, select the iPhone, start a remote erase and remove it from the account after the erase completes. An offline phone will erase the next time it connects.
Change the Apple Account password if someone else may have learned it, review the trusted-device list and contact the carrier about the cellular line. If you moved to a non-Apple phone and text messages are not arriving, deregister iMessage using Apple's official service.
If you forgot the iPhone passcode
A forgotten passcode cannot be bypassed while preserving the data. On supported software, the Forgot Passcode option on the lock screen can erase and reset the device when it is online, signed in to your Apple Account and Find My is enabled. Otherwise, Apple provides a recovery process using a Mac or Windows computer.
A computer restore erases the device and installs current software, but Apple notes that restoring with a computer does not itself delete an eSIM. Handle the cellular plan separately before the phone changes owners.
Final handoff checklist
Wait for the Hello screen, remove the physical SIM and inspect the phone for accessories or personal labels. For a mailed trade-in, use the recipient's packing instructions and keep the tracking receipt. Take a photo of the device's condition and record the serial number for your records, but never post the serial or IMEI publicly.
Once the buyer can begin setup without your credentials and the device is absent from your Find My device list, the phone is ready to leave your possession.
Frequently asked questions
Does factory-resetting an iPhone remove everything?
Erase All Content and Settings removes personal information, apps, media and settings from the phone and returns it to factory settings. Back up first if you need the data.
Does erasing an iPhone remove Activation Lock?
The normal erase process removes Activation Lock when you authenticate with the required Apple Account credentials. Verify that the new owner reaches the Hello screen without your account prompt.
Should I remove the SIM before selling my iPhone?
Yes, remove a physical SIM. For eSIM, first transfer the line or coordinate with the carrier, then erase the eSIM before the phone goes to a new owner.
Does deleting an eSIM cancel my phone plan?
No. Deleting the eSIM removes the cellular profile from the iPhone, but Apple says you must contact the carrier to cancel the plan.
Can I factory-reset an iPhone without the passcode?
You must erase it through Apple's lock-screen recovery or computer recovery process. This removes the data; it does not bypass Activation Lock or preserve the phone's contents.
How do I know the iPhone is ready for a buyer?
It should restart at the Hello setup screen, no longer receive your calls or messages, and allow setup without requesting your Apple Account credentials.
Sources
Primary and official references used for this guide:
Published August 9, 2026 · Reviewed for clarity and source accuracy.