SellUsediPhoneFast · Safe · Simple
Sell an old iPhone instead of recycling it when it is an iPhone 11 or later, or an iPhone SE 2nd or 3rd generation, and it is free of Activation Lock and not reported lost or stolen, because these models still have resale value even when cracked or not working. Recycle an iPhone when it is older than the iPhone 11, has a swollen battery or cannot be released from its Apple Account. Selling first is also the more environmental choice, because reuse extends the phone's life before its materials are recovered. Recycling is free through Apple, many retailers and certified e-waste recyclers. Is My Old iPhone Worth Anything? Selling Older Models covers older models still bought for cash.
- Sell: iPhone 11 and later, SE 2nd and 3rd generation, working or damaged.
- Recycle: models before the iPhone 11, swollen batteries, phones that cannot be unlocked.
- Before either: back up, sign out of the Apple Account and erase.
- Never: household trash or curbside recycling.
When is an iPhone worth selling instead of recycling?
An iPhone is worth selling instead of recycling when it meets 3 conditions. The table shows the decision.
| Condition | Sell | Recycle |
|---|---|---|
| Model | iPhone 11 or later, SE 2nd or 3rd generation | iPhone XS, XR and earlier |
| Activation Lock | Removed from the Apple Account | Cannot be removed |
| IMEI status | Clean, or unpaid balance at a reduced offer | Reported lost or stolen: not sold or recycled by you |
| Battery | Normal or degraded | Swollen: in-person recycling only |
Condition matters less than many owners expect: cracked, water-damaged and non-working iPhone 11 and later models are still bought, priced on their faults. Selling an iPhone That Won't Turn On: Your Options covers non-working phones.
Where can I recycle an iPhone?
Recycle an iPhone at 5 types of locations in the U.S. The table lists them.
| Option | How it works | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Trade In | Devices with no trade-in value can be recycled for free, in store or by mail | Free |
| Electronics retailers | Many stores accept phones at drop-off kiosks or service desks | Usually free for phones |
| Carrier stores | Many carriers accept old phones for recycling | Usually free |
| Certified e-waste recyclers | Recyclers certified to R2 or e-Stewards standards | Often free for phones |
| Municipal collection events | City or county household hazardous waste and e-waste events | Usually free for residents |
Call ahead before bringing a phone with a damaged or swollen battery, because not every location accepts damaged batteries. How to Dispose of an iPhone Battery Safely covers battery drop-offs.
What happens to recycled iPhones?
Recycled iPhones go through 4 stages:
- Sorting and data security: devices are logged and, at reputable recyclers, wiped or destroyed.
- Battery removal: lithium-ion batteries are removed for separate recycling.
- Disassembly: components are separated, by hand or by machines such as Apple's Daisy robot.
- Material recovery: metals such as aluminum, copper, gold, cobalt and rare earth elements are recovered for new products.
Apple reports that Daisy can disassemble many iPhone models to recover materials that conventional recyclers cannot. Recovered materials re-enter supply chains, which reduces mining.
Why is selling better for the environment?
Selling is usually better for the environment than recycling a working phone, because reuse avoids the impact of making a new phone, while recycling recovers only part of the materials. Apple's product environmental reports show that most of an iPhone's lifetime carbon footprint comes from manufacturing. A resold phone extends that manufacturing impact over more years of use. The Environmental Impact of Reusing an iPhone explains the numbers.
What should I do before recycling or selling?
Do 5 things before recycling or selling an iPhone:
- Back up the phone to iCloud or a computer, if it works.
- Unpair any Apple Watch.
- Turn off Find My and sign out of the Apple Account.
- Erase all content and settings.
- Remove the SIM card, if the phone has a tray.
A phone that does not turn on can be removed from the Apple Account at icloud.com/find. How to Prepare Your iPhone to Sell: 9-Step Checklist covers each step.
Is it illegal to throw an iPhone in the trash?
Throwing an iPhone in the trash is prohibited in many U.S. states and cities under electronics disposal or battery laws, and it is unsafe everywhere, because lithium-ion batteries cause fires in garbage trucks and waste facilities. The EPA advises taking lithium-ion batteries and electronics to recycling or collection points. Electronics Recycling Laws by State: A U.S. Overview covers state rules.
Can I recycle an iPhone that is Activation Locked?
An Activation Locked iPhone can be recycled, because recycling recovers materials rather than reselling the phone. Recyclers do not need the phone unlocked. If the lock is on your own Apple Account, removing the phone at icloud.com/find first is still a good step, because it clears the device from your account list. A locked phone that is not yours should not be recycled or sold by you.
How do I recycle an iPhone with a swollen battery?
Recycle an iPhone with a swollen battery in person at a location that accepts damaged batteries, such as an Apple Store, an Apple Authorized Service Provider or a battery recycler. Do not ship it, charge it or press on it. Store it on a non-flammable surface until drop-off. Swollen iPhone Battery: Safety Steps Before Selling covers the safety steps.
Does Apple pay for recycled iPhones?
Apple Trade In pays credit for eligible devices and recycles devices with no trade-in value for free. Recycling itself does not pay. Selling an eligible iPhone to a cash buyback usually returns money, while recycling returns none. Apple Trade In Explained: What It Pays and How It Works covers Apple's program.
Can I donate an old iPhone instead?
An old iPhone that still works and runs a supported iOS version can be donated to a charity, a school program or a family member. Donation suits phones with low resale value but useful life left. Erase and sign out first, so the recipient can set it up. Phones too old for current iOS are less useful to recipients and are better recycled.
What about cases, cables and chargers?
Cases, cables and chargers can be recycled with the phone at most e-waste drop-offs. Apple accepts Apple-branded accessories for recycling. Keep USB-C cables and chargers that fit current devices.
What is a quick sell-or-recycle decision path?
A quick decision path answers 5 questions in order. The first "no" decides the route.
| Question | If yes | If no |
|---|---|---|
| Is the battery free of swelling? | Continue | In-person battery recycling |
| Is the phone yours and not reported lost or stolen? | Continue | Do not sell or recycle; contact the owner or carrier |
| Can it be removed from the Apple Account? | Continue | Recycle |
| Is it an iPhone 11 or later, or an SE 2nd or 3rd generation? | Sell | Recycle or donate |
| Does someone you know need it? | Consider giving it | Sell |
How much can a damaged iPhone 11 or later still sell for?
A damaged iPhone 11 or later still sells for an amount based on its model, storage and faults, which is usually more than nothing even with a cracked screen or a dead battery. Newer models keep more value when damaged, because their parts are in demand for repair. How Much Is a Broken iPhone Worth? Fault-by-Fault Guide explains fault pricing, and Sell iPhone for Cash gives an exact quote.
How do I find a certified recycler?
Find a certified recycler through the R2 and e-Stewards directories, which list facilities certified for responsible electronics recycling, data security and worker safety. Certification matters because uncertified handlers may export e-waste to countries with weak environmental controls. Ask the recycler for a certificate of recycling if a record is needed.
What should businesses do with old iPhones?
Businesses should sell iPhone 11 and later models in batches and recycle older or locked models through certified recyclers, keeping records for both. iPhone IT Asset Disposition (ITAD): A Guide for Companies covers the full process.
Are old iPhones in drawers a safety risk?
Old iPhones stored in drawers for years can develop swollen batteries, which are a fire risk. Check stored phones for a lifted screen or bulging back, then sell or recycle them rather than keeping them indefinitely.
How does selling compare with recycling and trading in?
Selling, recycling and trading in produce different results for the same phone. The table compares them.
| Attribute | Sell for cash | Trade in | Recycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money returned | Cash by PayPal, Zelle or bank | Credit toward a purchase or bill | None |
| Phone's next life | Refurbished and reused, or parts | Refurbished or recycled by the program | Material recovery |
| Models accepted | iPhone 11 and later, SE 2nd and 3rd gen | Varies by program | Any model |
| Damaged phones | Priced by fault | Often low or recycle-only value | Accepted |
What happens to phones that are sold?
Phones that are sold are tested, then refurbished and resold, repaired, used for parts or, if they have no reuse value, sent to recycling. Most working phones return to use with a new owner. What Happens to Your iPhone After You Sell It explains each path.
Does recycling erase my data?
Reputable recyclers wipe or physically destroy devices, but erase the phone yourself first, because recycling programs vary in how and when they handle data.
Is an iPhone XR worth selling?
An iPhone XR usually has little resale value through buybacks, because it stopped receiving major iOS updates with iOS 26 and runs iOS 18 at most. Recycling or donating it is usually the practical choice. Erase it and sign out of the Apple Account first. Some local repair shops buy older models for parts, but offers are small.
How do I recycle several old phones at once?
Recycle several old phones at once at a municipal collection event or a certified recycler, which accepts multiple devices in one visit. Sort them first: sell any iPhone 11 or later models, and recycle the rest. Remove each phone from the Apple Account at icloud.com/find before dropping them off.
Can I recycle an iPhone by mail?
Apple Trade In offers mail-in recycling for devices with no trade-in value, using a prepaid shipping kit or label, for phones with undamaged batteries. Phones with swollen or damaged batteries must go to in-person drop-off instead.
Does recycling cost money in any state?
Recycling a phone is free at most U.S. drop-offs, and many state programs require manufacturers to fund collection of covered electronics.
Frequently asked questions about recycling or selling an iPhone
Should I recycle or sell my old iPhone?
Sell an old iPhone when it is an iPhone 11 or later or an iPhone SE 2nd or 3rd generation, free of Activation Lock and not reported lost or stolen, even if cracked or not working. Recycle models older than the iPhone 11, phones with swollen batteries and phones that cannot be released from their Apple Account.
Where can I recycle my iPhone for free?
Recycle an iPhone for free through Apple Trade In, which recycles devices with no trade-in value, at many electronics retailers and carrier stores, at certified e-waste recyclers and at municipal collection events. Call ahead before bringing a phone with a damaged or swollen battery, because not every location accepts it.
What happens to iPhones that are recycled?
Recycled iPhones are logged, wiped or destroyed for data security, have their batteries removed and are disassembled by hand or by machines such as Apple's Daisy robot. Metals such as aluminum, copper, gold, cobalt and rare earth elements are recovered for use in new products. Erase the phone and sign out of the Apple Account before either route.
Is it better to sell or recycle an iPhone for the environment?
Selling a working iPhone is usually better for the environment, because reuse avoids the impact of manufacturing a new phone, which Apple's environmental reports show is most of an iPhone's lifetime carbon footprint. Recycling recovers materials but only after the phone's useful life has ended. Call ahead before bringing a phone with a damaged battery to any drop-off.
Can I throw my old iPhone in the trash?
Do not throw an iPhone in the trash. Many states and cities prohibit it under electronics or battery disposal laws, and lithium-ion batteries cause fires in garbage trucks and waste facilities. Take it to a recycling drop-off, or sell it if it is an iPhone 11 or later. Certified recyclers can provide a certificate of recycling when a record is needed.
Sources and references
- Apple: Apple Trade In and recycling program, and Daisy disassembly robot information.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): electronics donation and recycling, and used lithium-ion batteries.
- Apple: product environmental reports for iPhone.