You have four good options for an old iPhone: trade it in, sell it, recycle it, or repurpose it around the house. Whichever you pick, erase it first and turn off Find My, or the next person cannot use it and you may stay on the hook for it.
A working iPhone holds real value, even a few models back. So before it sits in a drawer forever, here is how to wipe it safely and get the most out of it.
First: Erase Your iPhone the Right Way
This is the step people skip, and it matters most. Do these in order:
- Back it up. Save your photos and data to iCloud or your computer first.
- Sign out and turn off Find My. Go to Settings, tap your name, then sign out of your Apple Account. This turns off Activation Lock so the phone is not tied to you.
- Remove the SIM or eSIM. Pop out the physical SIM card, or have your carrier clear the eSIM.
- Factory reset. Go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Erase All Content and Settings.
- Unpair your Apple Watch if it was linked.
Skipping the Find My step is the number one reason a traded-in or sold iPhone gets rejected, so do not miss it.
Trade It In
Trade-in is the fastest path if you do not want to deal with a buyer.
- Apple Trade In. Apple gives credit toward a new device, or an Apple gift card. Older or broken phones may get nothing in credit but are still recycled free.
- Your carrier. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile often run strong trade-in deals when you upgrade.
- Trade-in sites. Gazelle, ItsWorthMore, and Decluttr give you a quote and a prepaid shipping label.
Sell It Yourself
You will usually get the most cash selling directly. A clean, unlocked iPhone with a good battery sells fast.
- Swappa is built for phones and tends to pay better than trade-in.
- Facebook Marketplace works well for local, cash sales.
- List the model, storage size, battery health percentage, and any scratches so buyers trust the listing.
Recycle It
If the phone is too old or too broken to sell, do not toss it in the trash. The battery is a fire risk and the metals can be recovered. Apple recycles any iPhone for free, in store or by mail, and Best Buy takes them too. This is the same path you would use for a broken laptop or old electronics cables.
Repurpose an Old iPhone
Kept your old one after upgrading? It can still earn its keep without a SIM card, using just Wi-Fi.
- A dashcam for your car
- A home security or pet camera
- A dedicated music player or kitchen recipe screen
- A first phone or game device for a young kid
- A universal remote or smart home controller
Have an Android in the drawer too? See our creative uses for an old Android phone. And if you are clearing out other Apple gear, here is what to do with old iPads and old AirPods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I erase an old iPhone before selling it?
Back it up, sign out of your Apple Account to turn off Find My, remove the SIM, then go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, and Erase All Content and Settings.
Are old iPhones worth any money?
Often yes, even several models back. Trade-in or resale value depends on the model, storage, and battery health. Selling on Swappa usually pays more than a trade-in.
Can you recycle an iPhone?
Yes, for free. Apple recycles any iPhone in store or by mail, and Best Buy accepts them. Never put one in the regular trash because of the battery.
Why does turning off Find My matter?
Find My includes Activation Lock, which ties the phone to your Apple Account. If you leave it on, the buyer or recycler cannot set up the phone, and a trade-in will be rejected.
What can I do with an old iPhone with no service?
Plenty. On Wi-Fi alone it works as a dashcam, security camera, music player, kitchen screen, or a kid’s first device.