Selling a used iPhone with success – that’s how it works
What to do if you want to sell your used iPhone quickly and easily? GIGA explains how to prepare your iPhone for sale and where to get rid of it on the Internet.
Contents
Sell used iPhone: Prepare your smartphone
If you want to sell your used iPhone on the Internet, you have to make sure that you only send the hardware and no data to the buyer before selling it. That means: you have to before the sale Back up data such as contacts, photos, and music to anotherif you want to keep it. Only then should you use the device reset to factory settings – that’s the easier part.
What type of Apple user am I?
How you prepare your iPhone for a sale depends on how much you move in the Apple universe.
The simplest case: You are not just iPhone, but also Mac users and also uses iCloud, maybe even bought memory. If you have activated the corresponding iCloud services for notes, contacts, the calendar, reminders and (if there is enough memory) also for photos in the iCloud settings on the iPhone, you are already backing up contacts, media and more: you are already there available in the cloud and are also stored, for example, on your own Mac or an iPad – at least if your own iCloud account is entered there and the services are activated. Which data is in the cloud can also be found in the browser under icloud.com check. If the data is complete, you can reset the iPhone directly to the factory settings (see next step).
No iCloud space for photos: A typical scenario: You use the free 5 GB storage space in the iCloud for notes, various app data and contacts, but there is not enough storage space for photos. If you don’t want to buy additional storage, you can now connect your iPhone to a computer and transfers all pictures and videos via cable to Mac or PC.
Back up data without iCloud: This is also possible, with a backup of the iPhone – with iTunes (or via iCloud). If you use macOS Big Sur, you won’t find the backup option in iTunes, but in the Finder. Of course, this backup solution only makes sense if you buy a new one after selling the used iPhone. The new iPhone can then be restored from the local (or iCloud) backup.
Factory Reset iPhone for Sale
Are all data backed up, you reset the iPhone to the factory settings – This is the only way that buying services or an eBay buyer can do something with it.
This is how you do it:
- Open the on the iPhone Settings.
- Now select the area General.
- Scroll down and select Reset to default.
- Elects Erase all content & settingsto reset iPhone to factory settings.
tip: If your iPhone is still listed in the iCloud settings of other Apple devices or under icloud.com, you can simply remove it there. Select the option for this Remove from account.
Interesting for everyone who wants to swap a used iPhone for an iPhone 12 – the test for the new Apple smartphone at GIGA:
Which buying service is the right one?
Buying services promise quick and uncomplicated processing when selling a used iPhone. The process is always the same: You enter on the service’s website Information about his device, appreciates its condition and explains whether the original accessories are available.
You can offer your iPhone, for example, at reBuy, Flip4New and Zoxs and other buying services. Of course, it is worthwhile to take a look at all services to see how much your own device brings in the event of a successful purchase there are definitely differences. Once you have decided on an offer, you usually print out a shipping label, bring the iPhone well packaged to the post office or, if possible, arrange a pick-up.
Here you can find out more about reBuy and get alternatives:
After sending in the iPhone, you don’t just have to wait, you also have to hope: Because it does not always stay at the original purchase price – For example, if the buying service rates worse than you or you discover further scratches. Then you receive a new offer and decide: Do I want my iPhone back or do I have the new purchase price paid out to me?
Sometimes it can still be worth it try another service, even if he made a worse offer in the first evaluation. The author, who has already used various purchasing services a number of times, knows: A little luck is also part of it. Sometimes your own assessment and the purchase price issued in the end differ widely. Quirks that don’t bother you are obviously deal breakers in sales.
tip: In a GIGA interview, Flip4New founder and CEO Michael Sauer revealed the best time to sell your used iPhone, namely shortly before an Apple event: “It’s best to come in a few days before a possible event to secure the price in advance. After all, you still have two weeks to send the device in ”, is his advice.
Or would you prefer eBay?
Last resort eBay? Well, almost: If you can’t get anything from the buying service because your own iPhone may be in abundance on the market or has scratches that the buying service cannot ignore, you can always get something out of eBay (always minus the sales commission of 10%). Here you have a little more effort, can but score with other things: For example with a good story. Means: If you have the original packaging, invoice and accessories together accurately, you can make an impression and show that I have treated this device with care.
Anyone who has used eBay before will not have any major problems setting up an iPhone: The item characteristics are usually assigned automatically and correctly. You should make an effort with the photos. Sounds obvious, but is criminally disregarded by many private sellers. Therefore: clean your iPhone well and present quirks honestly. And always switch on the display: Nobody likes to spend money on a “dead” device. And then there is still the question: Fixed price or auction? In recent years it has been the Buy It Now option is becoming increasingly popular. Especially with items such as iPhones, which are widely available, bidding battles are unlikely to happen anyway. If you have a good overall package, you should specify a (still) realistic desired price and the Option for price proposals activate. If there are several interested parties, you not only have the choice between prices, but also between buyers.
