An old iPad is worth more than you think. Your best options are to trade it in, sell it, hand it down, or repurpose it around the house. Just erase it and sign out of your Apple Account first, so it is wiped clean and not locked to you.
Even an iPad that no longer gets the newest software is useful. Here is how to wipe it the right way and pick the best path.
First: Wipe Your iPad Before You Pass It On
- Back it up to iCloud or your computer so you keep your photos and files.
- Sign out of your Apple Account. Open Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and sign out. This turns off Find My and Activation Lock.
- Factory reset. Go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPad, then Erase All Content and Settings.
If you sell or donate an iPad without signing out, the new owner is locked out and cannot use it. Do not skip this.
Trade In or Sell It
- Apple Trade In gives store credit or an Apple gift card, and recycles it free if it has no trade value.
- Swappa and Gazelle are good for selling. Swappa usually pays the most for a working iPad.
- Facebook Marketplace works for a quick local sale. List the model, storage size, and screen condition.
Not sure which model you have? Check Settings, General, About. The model name affects the price and which iPadOS version it can run.
Hand It Down or Donate It
An older iPad makes a great first tablet for a child or a simple device for a grandparent. Schools, libraries, and nonprofits often welcome working tablets too. Wipe it first, then set it up fresh for the new user.
Repurpose an Old iPad
If it is too old to sell for much, put it to work at home.
- A kitchen screen for recipes and timers
- A digital photo frame on a stand
- A smart home dashboard to control lights and music
- A dedicated reading or streaming tablet for the couch
- A second screen for your Mac using Sidecar
- A kids’ drawing and learning tablet
Clearing out more devices? See what to do with old iPhones, an old iPad Mini, or old tablets in general.
Recycle It
A cracked or dead iPad should never go in the trash, because of the battery. Apple recycles any iPad for free, in store or by mail, and Best Buy accepts them as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I erase an old iPad?
Back it up, sign out of your Apple Account to turn off Find My, then go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPad, and choose Erase All Content and Settings.
Are old iPads worth anything?
Usually yes. Even several generations back, a working iPad has trade-in or resale value. Swappa tends to pay more than a trade-in program.
What can I do with an iPad that is too old to update?
Repurpose it as a kitchen screen, photo frame, smart home dashboard, second monitor, or a kids’ tablet. It does not need the newest software for those jobs.
Can you recycle an iPad?
Yes, for free. Apple and Best Buy both accept old iPads. Do not throw one in the trash because the battery can be a fire hazard.
Can I give my old iPad to my child?
Yes. Wipe it, sign out of your account, then set it up fresh with parental controls. It makes a solid first tablet.