Don’t Trade In Your iPhone Until You Do This, by TechTeezy on YouTube. 8 min 11 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 11 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
On the old iPhone open Settings, tap General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone, and choose Prepare for New iPhone. Apple gives you free temporary iCloud storage for this backup, so you do not need to buy more space.
Leave the old phone switched on and do not erase it yet. Set up the new iPhone first and bring it close to the old one so the data transfer can run.
Move your two-factor codes across before you wipe anything. Open your authenticator app on the new phone and check that chats, email and any banking apps are signed in and working.
Turn off Stolen Device Protection on the old phone in Settings, Face ID and Passcode. Leaving it on adds a one hour security delay before you can sign out or erase.
Sign out of your Apple Account at home rather than at the carrier counter. Then go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone and tap Erase All Content and Settings to wipe the phone.
Open Settings, General, About and check Parts and Service History so you know what was replaced. Push a paper clip into the small hole on the side to pop out any physical SIM tray.
Decide whether to trade in or sell it yourself, then compare current offers. Take clear photos of the screen, edges and back before the phone leaves your hands.
Run the final checklist: signed out of Apple, erased, SIM removed, photos saved and proof of postage kept. Only then put the phone in the box.
Tips and common mistakes
Wait until the backup finishes before you erase, or the new phone will be missing photos and messages.
Erase the phone yourself at home, since a store visit can leave you locked out if you cannot get a verification code.
Check that your authenticator app was moved first, or you may lose access to work and bank accounts.
Keep the tracking receipt and photos until the trade in credit appears.
Questions
Do I have to pay for extra iCloud storage to back up?
No. Apple offers free temporary iCloud storage when you use Prepare for New iPhone, and it lasts long enough to finish the transfer.
Can I just erase my old iPhone at the store?
It is better to sign out and erase at home on your own Wi-Fi. At the counter you may hit a security delay or need a verification code you cannot receive.
Should I trade in or sell the phone myself?
Trade in is quicker and simpler, while selling privately often pays more but takes time. Compare current offers before you commit.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
