SellUsediPhoneFast · Safe · Simple
Selling an iPhone after moving to Android takes 3 jobs in order: transfer data to the Android phone, turn off iMessage and FaceTime so texts reach the new number, and then erase and sell the iPhone. Google's Android setup and the Switch to Android app for iOS move photos, contacts and calendars, and Samsung Smart Switch does the same for Samsung phones. Deregistering iMessage prevents messages from other iPhone users from being lost. A quote on Sell iPhone for Cash holds for 14 days while the switch is completed.
- Step 1: move data with Android setup, Switch to Android or Smart Switch.
- Step 2: turn off iMessage and FaceTime, or use Apple's deregister page.
- Step 3: sign out of the Apple Account, erase the iPhone and ship it.
- Keep the order: erase only after the Android phone shows all data.
How do I move data from iPhone to Android?
Move data from an iPhone to an Android phone with one of 3 tools, depending on the Android brand:
| Tool | Works with | What it moves |
|---|---|---|
| Android setup (cable or app) | Most Android phones, including Google Pixel | Photos, videos, contacts, calendars, messages, some apps |
| Switch to Android app for iOS (Google) | Pixel and other Android phones during setup | Photos, videos, contacts, calendars; prompts to turn off iMessage |
| Samsung Smart Switch | Samsung Galaxy phones | Photos, contacts, messages, call history, calendars, notes, some apps |
Follow 5 steps for any tool:
- Charge both phones above 50% and connect both to Wi-Fi.
- Update the iPhone to the latest iOS version.
- Start Android setup and choose to copy data from an iPhone.
- Connect with a USB-C to Lightning or USB-C to USB-C cable, or use the wireless option.
- Select the data types and wait for the transfer to finish.
Photos stored only in iCloud Photos need to be downloaded to the iPhone first, or exported through Apple's data transfer request at privacy.apple.com, which can copy iCloud Photos to Google Photos.
How do I deregister iMessage?
Deregister iMessage by turning off iMessage and FaceTime on the iPhone before removing the SIM, or by using Apple's online deregistration page when the iPhone is no longer available. The 2 methods are:
- On the iPhone: open Settings > Apps > Messages and turn off iMessage, then open Settings > Apps > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime.
- Without the iPhone: visit Apple's Deregister iMessage page, enter the phone number, receive a confirmation code by text on the new phone and enter it.
Without deregistration, other iPhone users can keep sending iMessages to the number, and those messages do not reach the Android phone. How to Deregister iMessage Before Selling Your iPhone covers the steps in detail.
How do I sell the iPhone afterwards?
Sell the iPhone after the switch in 6 steps:
- Confirm that photos, contacts and messages appear on the Android phone.
- Unpair any Apple Watch, which cannot pair with Android phones.
- Turn off Find My and sign out of the Apple Account.
- Erase all content and settings.
- Request a quote with the correct model, storage, carrier status and condition.
- Ship the iPhone with the free prepaid tracked label within 14 days.
Payment arrives by PayPal, Zelle or bank transfer 1–2 business days after testing. How to Prepare Your iPhone to Sell: 9-Step Checklist covers each preparation step.
What data does not transfer from iPhone to Android?
Some iPhone data does not transfer to Android, because it depends on Apple services. The main items are:
| Data | Transfer status | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Paid iOS apps | Do not transfer | Download Android versions from Google Play |
| Apple Music library | Not moved by setup tools | Install the Apple Music app for Android |
| Health app data | Not moved by setup tools | Export from the Health app, or use a third-party app |
| Keychain passwords | Not moved by setup tools | Export passwords and import them into a password manager |
| iMessage history | Partial, depending on the tool | Use Smart Switch or Android setup message transfer where supported |
Export or record these items before erasing the iPhone. A local or iCloud backup also keeps a copy. How to Back Up Your iPhone Before You Sell It explains both methods.
How do I move my phone number to the Android phone?
Move a phone number to an Android phone by transferring the eSIM through the carrier, or by moving the physical SIM card when both phones use one. Most recent U.S. iPhones, including every iPhone 14 and later sold in the U.S., use eSIM only, so the carrier's app, website or store activates the number on the Android phone. Activate the number before turning off iMessage, so the confirmation text reaches the new phone. What to Do With Your eSIM Before Selling Your iPhone covers eSIM steps.
What happens to my Apple Watch when I switch?
An Apple Watch works only with an iPhone, so it cannot pair with an Android phone. Unpair the watch from the iPhone before erasing the iPhone, which also removes the watch's Activation Lock. The watch can then be sold for cash. Unpair Your Apple Watch Before Selling Your iPhone covers the steps, and How to Sell an Apple Watch: Unpair, Price and Ship covers the sale.
Do AirPods work with Android?
AirPods connect to Android phones as standard Bluetooth earbuds, but features such as automatic switching, spatial audio with head tracking and the setup animation work only with Apple devices. Many people who switch to Android keep their AirPods. Others sell them and buy earbuds designed for Android. How to Sell AirPods: What Qualifies and How to Prepare explains what qualifies.
Should I keep my Apple Account after switching?
Keeping the Apple Account after switching is useful when it holds purchases, iCloud storage or an Apple Music subscription. The account stays active without an iPhone. Cancel subscriptions that are no longer needed in the account settings, and remove the sold iPhone from the account's device list. How to Remove an iPhone From Your Apple Account Before You Sell covers that step.
How do I keep group chats working after switching?
Group chats with iPhone users continue over RCS or SMS after the switch, once iMessage is deregistered. Apple added RCS support in iOS 18, which supports typing indicators, read receipts and high-quality media between iPhone and Android phones when carriers support it. Ask contacts to start a new group thread if an old iMessage group does not include the Android number.
How long should I wait before erasing the iPhone?
Wait until the Android phone shows all transferred data and receives texts from iPhone users, which usually takes 1–3 days. Within that time, check 4 items: photos, contacts, recent messages and two-factor authentication apps. Moving two-factor codes is critical, because erasing the iPhone removes authenticator app data. The 14-day quote window covers this check.
Does switching to Android change my iPhone's value?
Switching to Android does not change the iPhone's value. The value depends on model, storage, carrier lock status and condition. An unlocked iPhone earns the full offer. A carrier-locked iPhone earns a locked offer, which matters when the switch includes a carrier change. How Much Is My iPhone Worth If I Sell It Today? explains how value is set.
What if my iPhone is still on a payment plan?
An iPhone still on a carrier payment plan earns a reduced offer from the account holder, and the remaining balance stays on that account. Paying the balance first lets the carrier unlock the phone, which raises the offer. Leaving a carrier often makes the remaining balance due. How to Sell an iPhone That Is Not Paid Off explains the options.
Can I sell the iPhone before the Android phone arrives?
An iPhone can be quoted before the Android phone arrives, and the quote stays valid for 14 days. Ship the iPhone only after the data transfer and iMessage deregistration are complete. A quote requested on the day the Android phone is ordered usually covers delivery, setup and a few days of checking.
How do I check that iMessage is fully turned off?
Check that iMessage is fully turned off by asking an iPhone user to send a text to the number. The message appears in green on their screen, or as an RCS message, and reaches the Android phone. A blue bubble that shows "Delivered" without arriving on the Android phone means the number is still registered. Use Apple's deregistration page in that case.
What should I do with iCloud storage after switching?
Download everything from iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos and iCloud Mail that is needed on Android, then downgrade or cancel the iCloud+ plan if it is no longer useful. Apple's data and privacy page offers a transfer of iCloud Photos to Google Photos, which takes 3–7 days. Keep the Apple Account active until all data is confirmed on the new phone.
What is the right order for a switch and sale?
The right order for a switch and sale has 8 steps, and each step depends on the one before it:
| Order | Step | Why it comes here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back up the iPhone | Protects data before any change |
| 2 | Request a cash quote | Starts the 14-day price window |
| 3 | Transfer data to Android | Needs the working iPhone |
| 4 | Move the phone number | The new phone receives the iMessage code |
| 5 | Turn off iMessage and FaceTime | Routes texts to the new phone |
| 6 | Unpair the Apple Watch | Removes the watch's Activation Lock |
| 7 | Sign out and erase the iPhone | Removes Activation Lock and data |
| 8 | Ship with the prepaid label | Completes the sale inside the window |
Can I sell other Apple devices when I switch?
Other Apple devices can be sold at the same time as the iPhone when they no longer fit an Android setup. An Apple Watch requires an iPhone, and some AirPods features require Apple devices. A Mac or an iPad works without an iPhone, so those devices can stay in use. Sell Your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods Together explains how a combined sale works, with each device tested and paid separately.
Do I need to remove Apple Pay cards before selling?
Apple Pay cards are removed from the iPhone when the Apple Account is signed out and the phone is erased. Removing them first in Wallet is still a clean step, and cards can also be removed remotely at account.apple.com. How to Remove Apple Pay Cards Before Selling an iPhone covers both methods.
Frequently asked questions about selling an iPhone when moving to Android
How do I transfer everything from iPhone to Android before selling?
Transfer data from an iPhone to Android during the Android phone's setup, by cable or wirelessly, or with Google's Switch to Android app or Samsung Smart Switch. These tools move photos, videos, contacts and calendars, and some move messages. Check that all data appears on the Android phone before erasing and selling the iPhone.
Why do I need to deregister iMessage before switching to Android?
Deregistering iMessage is necessary because other iPhone users can keep sending iMessages to the number after the switch, and those messages do not reach the Android phone. Turn off iMessage and FaceTime in Settings before removing the SIM, or use Apple's Deregister iMessage page with a confirmation code sent to the new phone.
Can I sell my iPhone right after switching to Android?
An iPhone can be sold right after the switch, once data appears on the Android phone, iMessage is turned off, the Apple Watch is unpaired, Find My is off and the phone is erased. Wait 1–3 days to confirm texts arrive. A quote stays valid for 14 days, which covers that check.
What iPhone data cannot move to Android?
Paid iOS apps, Keychain passwords, Health app data and some iMessage history do not move with standard setup tools. Apple Music works through its Android app. Export passwords to a password manager, export health data if needed and move two-factor authentication codes before erasing the iPhone, because erasing removes that data from the phone.
Does an Apple Watch work after switching to Android?
An Apple Watch does not work with Android phones, because it requires an iPhone for setup and pairing. Unpair the watch from the iPhone before erasing the iPhone, which also removes the watch's Activation Lock. The watch can then be sold for cash separately or together with the iPhone in one sale.
Sources and references
- Apple Support: Deregister iMessage and what to do before you sell your iPhone.
- Google: Android help pages on copying data from an iPhone, and the Switch to Android app.
- Samsung: Smart Switch support pages.
- Apple: data and privacy transfer of iCloud Photos to Google Photos.