Smartphones & Accessories / Guide
Before Trading In an iPhone, Verify What Moved to the New One
Check photos, messages and accounts on the replacement iPhone before erasing the old one for trade-in or resale.
A phone transfer can look complete while one app still needs its own sign-in or backup. Give yourself a window when both devices are in hand. Put the trade-in deadline on your calendar and leave time to resolve any app that doesn’t come over cleanly.
Check the data you would miss first
Follow Apple’s preparation guide for selling or trading in an iPhone to back up and move your information. On the new device, open a few recent photos and videos, check important messages, and verify contacts and notes. If some information syncs from a service, give it time to finish and verify it’s there from the replacement device.
Test sign-in and phone service
Open the accounts you rely on, including any app that generates sign-in codes. Follow each service’s transfer or recovery instructions and make sure you can still sign in. Test calls and texts on the new phone if you transferred a number. Check any watch pairing or transit passes that are important to your routine.
Erase the old device when the new one is ready
Follow Apple’s steps for removing personal information and preparing the phone for the next owner. If you’re mailing it, keep the trade-in instructions and tracking number. Document the condition as the program requests. The most useful time to discover a missing file or account is before you ship the old phone.