Preparation has two jobs: protect your personal information and make the phone verifiably ready for its next owner. A factory reset performed in the wrong order can leave an activation lock; a perfect-looking listing without a condition record can leave you exposed in a dispute.
Use this order
- Confirm ownership and any remaining device balance.
- Back up and verify the information you need.
- Remove linked accounts and activation locks.
- Remove payment cards, SIMs, eSIM service and removable storage as applicable.
- Erase the phone using the manufacturer-supported process.
- Check that it reaches the initial setup screen without asking for the former owner.
- Record condition, identifiers and included accessories.
- Clean, photograph and package only after the checks are complete.
Choose the detailed guide
| Task | Guide |
|---|---|
| Complete end-to-end preparation | How to Sell an Old Phone Safely |
| Remove Apple, Google and manufacturer accounts | How to Remove Accounts Before Selling |
| Erase personal data | How to Wipe a Phone Before Selling |
| Create evidence for a posted sale | How to Document a Phone's Condition Before Posting It |
| Create honest listing photographs | How to Photograph a Phone for Sale |
Do not erase too early
Complete the backup, record battery or parts information that may disappear from easy view after reset, and note the IMEI before erasing. Do not publish a full IMEI or serial number in a public listing; retain it privately for the transaction record.
Do not hand over too early
The buyer should receive a device at its setup screen, not a phone logged into your accounts. You should receive confirmed payment through the agreed method before the phone leaves your control.
Sources and editorial method
Information checked 26 July 2026. The comparisons in this guide are editorial methods, not current market averages or guaranteed valuations. Recheck seller, platform and provider terms before acting.
