If you’re an iPhone owner, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether or not to trade in your old model for a newer one. It can be tempting to go ahead and upgrade every time Apple comes out with a new phone, but if you’re on a budget and don’t have the cash on hand, then trading in your old phone might be the way to go.
But before you make that leap, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. You want to make sure that when you trade in your iPhone, you get the most money possible for it so that when it comes time for you to buy a new phone (or even just upgrade), you’ve got enough cash for whatever features or upgrades are available at that time.
That’s where this article comes in. We’ll cover seven tips for keeping your data safe and protecting your privacy as you trade in your old iPhone for a new one. Keep reading.
Backup Your Data
If you don’t backup your data before you trade in your old iPhone, you risk losing your photos, videos, contacts, and other important files. Make sure to use iCloud or iTunes to create a backup of your data so that you can restore it onto your new phone later.
Wipe Your Phone
The next step is to wipe your phone’s data so the new owner won’t have access to any of your personal data. To do this, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This will delete everything on your phone, so ensure you’ve backed up your data first!
Deactivate iMessage
If you’re using iMessage, you’ll want to deactivate it before you trade in your old iPhone. To do this, go to Settings > Messages and turn off the iMessage toggle switch. If you don’t, the new owner of your phone will be able to receive and send messages using your phone number.
Unpair Your Apple Watch
If you have an Apple Watch, you’ll need to unpair it from your iPhone before you trade it in. To do this:
- Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and tap on the My Watch tab.
- From there, tap on the info icon next to your watch’s name and tap on the Unpair Apple Watch button.
- Click here to know more about the trade-in process.
Sign Out of iCloud
To do this, go to Settings > iCloud and tap on the Sign Out button at the bottom of the screen. You’ll be asked to confirm that you want to sign out, so tap on the Sign Out button again. Once you’ve done this, your data will be erased from your phone.
Find Your IMEI Number
Your iPhone’s IMEI number is a unique code that identifies your phone and is used for activation Lock, so you must know where to find it. To find your IMEI number, go to Settings > General > About and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Your IMEI number will be listed there.
Gather Your Accessories
If you’ve got accessories for your iPhone, like a case or a charger, make sure to have them in one place before you trade in your phone. Many people forget about these things and leave them behind, which can be a pain for the new owner.
Final Word
When it comes time to trade in your old iPhone, following these tips will help you get the most money possible for your phone and protect your privacy at the same time. Good luck!
