How do I prepare my device for sale?

Here we'll show you how to prepare your device for sale by deregistering it from all major services, removing it from your iCloud account, and turning off "Find My iPhone/iPad/Mac".

Wie bereite ich mein Gerät für den Verkauf vor

iPhone & iPad, sign out of iCloud & delete all data (from iOS 15 onwards)

Create a backup of your device. You can find out how to do this here: How to transfer the data to your new iPhone .

Before you can sell your device to us, you must ensure that all your data is removed. Below you will find instructions on how to sign out of iCloud and then delete all your data and settings at once. This will reset the device to factory settings.

Disable protection for stolen devices

Important: This step is only necessary if "Theft Protection" is enabled. If this protection is not enabled, you can skip directly to the next step, "Sign out of iCloud."

  1. Open settings.
  2. Go to Face ID & Code.
  3. Scroll down and disable "Protection for stolen devices".
  4. Go back to Settings → [Your Name] → “Where is?”.
  5. Tap on "Find My iPhone".
  6. Enter your Apple ID password to disable the feature immediately.

Sign out of iCloud

  1. Open settings.
  2. Tap on “[Your Name]” at the very top.
  3. Scroll down and tap "Sign Out." Enter your Apple ID password to turn off "Find My Device." If you're asked if you want to erase data on the device, you can do so at this step.
  4. Then tap "Deactivate & Sign Out".

After this step, you will be logged out of the following services on this device.

  • iCloud
  • App Store & Media
  • iMessage
  • FaceTime
  • "Find My Device"

Delete all content and settings

If you did not delete your device in the first step, you now need to ensure that all personal data is deleted from the device; you must reset the device to factory settings.

  1. Open settings.
  2. Go to General.
  3. Scroll down to "Transfer/Reset iPhone".
  4. Tap on "Delete all content & settings".
  5. Confirm with your device code.
  6. If you are asked for your Apple ID again, enter your password (to finally deactivate the activation lock).
  7. Tap on "Delete iPhone".

Your device will then restart and display the Hello setup screen; it is now completely erased and no longer contains any personal data.

Your device is ready for sale.

Apple Watch (from watchOS 8 onwards)

Important: Unpairing via iPhone is the only way to automatically remove the activation lock. This completely disconnects the watch from your Apple ID and makes it ready for sale! An Apple Watch with an activation lock cannot be sold.

  1. Place the Apple Watch next to your iPhone.
  2. Open the "Watch" app on your iPhone.
  3. Tap "All Apple Watches" at the top (if you have multiple watches).
  4. Select the watch you want to delete.
  5. Tap the info icon (i) next to the watch's name.
  6. Tap on “Unpair Apple Watch”.
  7. If you have a Cellular/LTE model, select:
  • "Remove mobile plan"
  • Enter your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock.

The watch will now be completely reset to factory settings and disconnected from the iPhone.

After uncoupling, the watch is:
  • no longer connected to your Apple ID
  • no longer locatable
  • ready for sale or transfer
  • completely deleted

MacBook, iMac, Mac mini & Mac Pro: Sign out of iCloud & delete all data (from macOS 12 Monterey onwards)

1. Sign out of iCloud (Apple ID).

  1. Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner.
  2. Open system settings
     Click on “[Your Name] – Apple ID” in the top left corner.

2.1 In the sidebar, select “iCloud” / “iCloud & Media” (this step may be omitted depending on the version).

  1. Scroll down and click on "Log out".

  2. When asked if you want to keep copies of your data (contacts, keychain, Safari, etc.), select:
     → Keep nothing

  3. Enter your Apple ID password to disable "Find My" or Activation Lock (applies to Macs with Apple Silicon (M1-Mn) or T2 chip (Intel 2018+)).

After this step you are completely logged out of:
  • iCloud
  • App Store & Media
  • iMessage
  • FaceTime
  • "Where is?" (Activation lock disabled)

2. Delete all data on the Mac

This step will completely reset your Mac, erase all data, and reinstall macOS. Before deleting your data, make sure you have backed it up. Here's a guide on how to back up your data.

a) Macs with Apple Silicon (M1–M6) or T2 chip (Intel 2018+)
  1. Apple menu → Restart.
  2. Hold down the power button during restart until "Options" appears.
  3. Select “Options” → “Continue”.
  4. Open Utilities → Disk Utility from the menu.
  5. Select Macintosh HD (or your system volume) → Erase . Format: APFS)
  6. Close Disk Utility.
  7. Select "Reinstall macOS".
  8. Follow the instructions until you reach the "Hello" screen.
b) Macs with Apple Silicon (M1–M6) or T2 chip (Intel 2018+) running macOS Ventura or later
  1. Open the Apple menu in the top left corner.
  2. Select System Settings.
  3. Go to General in the sidebar.
  4. Select "Transfer or Reset".
  5. Click on "Delete all content & settings".
  6. Enter your administrator password and follow the displayed steps.
c) Older Macs without a T2 chip (Intel 2017 or earlier)
  1. Restart → immediately hold down ⌘ + R (Command + R).
  2. Disk Utility → Erase Volume.
  3. Reinstall macOS.

Check if your device has been removed from your Apple account.

  1. Open appleid.apple.com on another device.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  3. Scroll to "Devices".
  4. Search for your device.
  5. If your device is still displayed, select it and click →“Remove from account”.

This ensures that your device is no longer linked to your Apple account and can therefore be sold.

Your device is all set! Click here to start the selling process right away.