SellUsediPhoneFast · Safe · Simple
Before selling an iPhone, remove the case, the MagSafe wallet or other magnetic accessories, the physical SIM card, ring holders, stickers and camera lens covers, and ship the phone by itself in padded packaging. A buyback values the phone itself, so accessories add no money and are usually not returned. Screen protectors can stay on during shipping when they are intact, but cracked protectors come off so the screen can be graded. The phone's offer depends on model, storage, carrier status and condition. Start with Sell iPhone for Cash to get a quote.
- Remove: case, MagSafe wallet, PopSockets and rings, physical SIM, lens covers, stickers.
- Optional: an intact screen protector.
- Not needed: box, cable, power adapter, earbuds.
- Keep for yourself: accessories that fit the next phone.
Should I remove the case and screen protector?
Remove the case before shipping, and remove the screen protector when it is cracked, bubbled or peeling. The table explains each choice.
| Item | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Case | Remove | Testing requires the bare phone, and cases are not returned |
| Intact screen protector | Optional | It protects the screen in transit; technicians may remove it to grade the glass |
| Cracked screen protector | Remove | A cracked protector can be mistaken for a cracked screen until removed |
| Camera lens protectors | Remove | Camera tests need a clear lens |
| Back skins and stickers | Remove | The back glass is graded separately from the screen |
Removing a protector at home also shows the seller the real screen condition, so the quote answers are accurate. iPhone Condition Grades When You Sell: Like New to Damaged explains how screens are graded.
What happens to MagSafe accessories?
MagSafe accessories, such as MagSafe wallets, magnetic mounts, battery packs and chargers, are removed and kept, because they work with every iPhone 12 and later and are not part of the phone's value. Check a MagSafe wallet for cards before removing it. A wallet with Find My support, such as Apple's FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe, remembers the last iPhone it was attached to; remove the wallet from the Find My app before selling.
| MagSafe accessory | Action before selling |
|---|---|
| Wallet | Remove, check for cards, remove from Find My if supported |
| Battery pack | Remove and keep |
| Car or desk mount | Detach and keep |
| Charger puck | Keep for the next phone |
Should I include the cable?
Including the cable is not needed, because the offer is based on the phone alone and the cable adds no value. Keep a USB-C cable for the next phone, since every iPhone 15 and later uses USB-C. A Lightning cable from an iPhone 14 or earlier fits fewer current devices; recycle it or keep it for older accessories. Can You Sell an iPhone Without the Box or Charger? explains how missing accessories affect the offer.
Should I remove the SIM card?
Remove the physical SIM card before shipping, because the SIM belongs to the seller's cellular plan and contains the phone number's identity on the carrier network. Use a SIM eject tool or a straightened paper clip in the small hole on the side of the phone. Leave the empty tray in the phone, because a missing tray is a missing part. iPhone 14 and later models sold in the U.S. use eSIM only and have no tray. What to Do With Your eSIM Before Selling Your iPhone covers eSIM steps.
What about PopSockets, rings and grips?
Remove PopSockets, ring holders and adhesive grips before shipping, because they cover the back glass that is graded during inspection. Most adhesive grips peel off with slow, even pressure. Clean any remaining adhesive with a soft cloth and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the cloth, not on the phone. Avoid metal tools, which scratch the glass.
What should I include in the box?
Include only the iPhone in the box, wrapped and padded. The table lists what to include and what to leave out.
| Item | Include |
|---|---|
| iPhone, erased and signed out | Yes |
| Padding, such as bubble wrap | Yes |
| Original box | Optional; not required for the offer |
| Case, cable, adapter, earbuds | No |
| Physical SIM card | No |
| Notes with passcodes | No |
How to Pack and Ship an iPhone Safely When You Sell It covers packing materials and box sizes.
Do accessories increase the offer?
Accessories do not increase the offer from a buyback, because the phone is tested, graded and resold on its own. Private buyers sometimes pay a small amount more for a phone with its original box, but the difference is usually small. Accessories that fit the next phone, such as a USB-C cable or a MagSafe charger, are worth more kept than included.
Is the original box worth keeping?
The original box is not required to sell an iPhone to a buyback. The box is useful for 2 reasons: it lists the serial number and IMEI, which helps with an Activation Lock support request, and it can serve as the inner box when shipping. A sealed, unopened phone is different, because the box seal is part of its grade. How to Sell a New, Unopened iPhone for Cash covers sealed phones.
What should I clean before selling?
Clean 4 areas before selling: the screen, the back glass, the camera lenses and the charging port. Use a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water. Remove lint from the charging port with a wooden toothpick, carefully, and never use liquid in the port. Apple's guidance allows 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes on exterior surfaces. Cleaning does not change the grade of scratches, but dust and smudges can hide or mimic small marks.
What digital items should I remove before selling?
Digital items matter more than physical ones before a sale. Complete 5 digital steps:
- Unpair the Apple Watch and remove AirPods from the phone's Bluetooth list.
- Remove Apple Pay cards in Wallet.
- Turn off iMessage and FaceTime when moving to a non-Apple phone.
- Sign out of the Apple Account, which turns off Find My.
- Erase all content and settings.
How to Prepare Your iPhone to Sell: 9-Step Checklist covers each step.
What about AirTags and Find My accessories?
AirTags and other Find My accessories are linked to the Apple Account, not to the iPhone, so they keep working with the next iPhone signed in to the same account. Remove an AirTag only if it is attached to the phone's case or wallet, and keep it. Items no longer in use can be removed from the account in the Find My app.
Should I sell accessories separately?
Sell accessories separately only when they have meaningful resale value, such as an Apple Watch or AirPods. Cases, cables and screen protectors have little resale value. Apple Watch and AirPods can be quoted at the same time as the iPhone. Sell Your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods Together explains combined sales.
What if I ship the iPhone with the case on?
An iPhone shipped with a case on is still tested and paid, but the case is usually recycled and not returned. Remove any cards from a wallet case before shipping, because items sent with the phone may not be recoverable. The quote is not reduced for a case.
What is the full accessories checklist?
The full accessories checklist has 8 items. Check each one before packing:
| Checklist item | Done when |
|---|---|
| Case removed | The bare phone is visible |
| Wallet or MagSafe accessory removed | Cards are back in hand |
| Grips, rings and stickers removed | The back glass is clear |
| Lens covers removed | Camera lenses are uncovered |
| Cracked protector removed | The real screen is visible |
| Physical SIM removed | The empty tray is back in the phone |
| Phone cleaned | Screen, back and lenses are free of smudges |
| Cables and adapters kept | Only the phone is in the box |
How do I remove a screen protector safely?
Remove a screen protector safely in 5 steps:
- Turn off the phone and place it on a soft, flat surface.
- Lift one corner of the protector with a fingernail or a plastic card.
- Peel slowly and evenly toward the opposite corner.
- Remove glass shards from a cracked protector with clear tape, not with fingers.
- Wipe the screen with a lint-free cloth.
Avoid knives, razor blades and metal tools, because they scratch the screen and the frame, which lowers the grade.
Do accessories affect testing?
Accessories affect testing when they block a sensor, a camera or a port. A case can block the proximity sensor test and the camera tests, a lens cover blocks the camera, and a magnetic mount can interfere with the compass and wireless charging tests. Technicians remove anything attached before testing, so removing it at home saves time and avoids loss. How iPhone Buyback Testing Works: Every Check Explained lists the tests.
What should I keep for the new iPhone?
Keep 4 types of accessories for the new iPhone:
| Accessory | Works with the new iPhone when |
|---|---|
| USB-C cable and power adapter | The new phone is an iPhone 15 or later |
| MagSafe charger, wallet and mounts | The new phone is an iPhone 12 or later |
| AirPods and Apple Watch | The new phone is signed in to the same Apple Account |
| Wireless charging pads | The new phone supports Qi or Qi2 charging |
Cases and screen protectors rarely fit a different model, because camera bumps and dimensions change each year.
What about accessories with personal data?
Some accessories store personal data, such as smartwatches, earbuds with paired devices and memory card readers. Reset or unpair them before selling them, and keep any that store photos or files. An iPhone itself stores no data on its cable or case.
Should I photograph the iPhone after removing accessories?
Photograph the iPhone after removing accessories and cleaning it, with 4 pictures: the screen turned on, the back, each side of the frame and the camera lenses. The photos record the condition at shipping, which helps if a question arises about damage in transit. Take them in good light against a plain background. Keep them until payment arrives, which is usually 1–2 business days after testing.
Can I recycle old cases and cables?
Old cases, cables and adapters can be recycled at electronics recycling drop-offs, including many retail stores that accept small electronics. Apple also accepts Apple-branded accessories for recycling. Recycle or Sell Your Old iPhone? How to Decide covers recycling options.
Does a missing SIM tray lower the offer?
A missing SIM tray on a model that has one counts as a missing part, which can lower the grade. Keep the tray in the phone after removing the SIM card.
Frequently asked questions about accessories before selling
Should I take the case off my iPhone before selling it?
Take the case off before selling, because inspection requires the bare phone and cases sent with a phone are usually not returned. Remove any cards from a wallet case first. Ship the phone wrapped in bubble wrap inside a small padded box, which protects it better than a case during transit.
Do I need to remove my screen protector before selling?
An intact screen protector can stay on during shipping, and technicians may remove it to grade the glass. Remove a cracked, bubbled or peeling protector before shipping, because a cracked protector can look like a cracked screen. Removing it at home also confirms the real screen condition for the quote form answers.
Should I include the charging cable when I sell my iPhone?
Including the charging cable is not needed, because the offer is based on the phone alone. Keep a USB-C cable for the next phone, since every iPhone 15 and later uses USB-C. The original box, cable and power adapter do not change a buyback offer for a used phone. A free quote with these details shows the exact offer, which stays valid for 14 days.
What should I do with my MagSafe wallet before selling?
Remove the MagSafe wallet, check it for cards and keep it, because it works with every iPhone 12 and later. A wallet that supports Find My remembers the last iPhone it was attached to; remove it from the Find My app if it is no longer needed, or attach it to the next iPhone.
Do I need to remove the SIM card before selling my iPhone?
Remove the physical SIM card before shipping, because it belongs to the seller's cellular plan. Leave the empty SIM tray in the phone, since a missing tray is a missing part. U.S. iPhone 14 and later models use eSIM only, so move or erase the eSIM instead during the reset.
Sources and references
- Apple Support: how to clean your iPhone.
- Apple Support: remove or switch the SIM card in your iPhone.
- Apple Support: use the iPhone FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe with Find My.