Apple^® is always improving their products and unveiling new versions of old favorites, and it’s only a matter of time before you decide to upgrade the latest and greatest. With the arrival of the newest iPhone^®, you might now be looking to get rid of your older Apple device. However, it’s important to remember that your cellphone contains vital, personal information, so you’ll need to take precautions before sending it out into the world. Here’s a guide to safely selling your phone, so you can start enjoying a new one.

Steps to Take When Selling an Apple Device

First, start by unpairing any other Apple devices or accessories you might have used with the phone, such as headphones or an Apple Watch^®. Then, plug your phone into your computer and connect it to iTunes^®, so you can perform a full backup. This will save all of your important information—such as contacts, notes, and voice memos—so you can put them on your new phone later. After you sign out of iTunes and the App Store^® through the iPhone, you’ll need to delete any lingering information on the device. You can do this by going to Settings and clicking General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

What to Do if You No Longer Have It

If you already sold your Apple device, you can ask the new owner to follow the steps above. However, if your phone was lost or stolen, you’ll need to erase the contents indirectly. You can do this by signing into iCloud^® on a computer or another device. Then, select the correct device and choose “erase.” That way, no matter who ends up with your phone, they won’t be able to access its information. You can also change your Apple ID and password to prevent a new owner from accessing your data.

If you’ve been enticed by the most recent Apple releases and are trying to sell an old phone, get in touch with Experimac Cleveland East in Solon, OH. In addition to helping you eliminate your personal information from an existing Apple device, they also sell and buy used phones and tablets, so you can do everything under one roof. For more information on their services, visit their website, or call them at (440) 600-7322 to speak with a friendly representative.