What to do before selling your iPhone. Cleaning your Apple gadget iPhone, iPad or iPod. iPhone Personalization Levels

All user data is stored on the iPhone. Before transferring the device to another person, they must be erased or first moved using a backup. Only after this can the smartphone be given to the new owner. Next, we will tell you in detail how to clean your iPhone before selling it.

What needs to be removed

If you do not unlink all accounts from the iPhone and do not disable associated services, then even after resale of the device, it can be tracked and returned. To prevent the buyer from accusing you of fraud, you must:

  1. Turn off FaceTime and iMessage. This can be done through the iPhone settings.
  2. Unlink account from phone iCloud recording. Directly or remotely.
  3. Disable import of media files in applications.
  4. Delete credit and debit card information Apple Pay and other payment information.
  5. Turn off Find My iPhone and last location sharing.

Additionally, you should completely clear the device of other user information (notes, calendar data, contacts). But only after creating a backup and shutting down account iCloud.

Deleting media files

Before you can clean up your photos, videos, and other personal data, you need to transfer them to the cloud or another device. You can do this in several ways:

  1. Via iTunes. To do this, connect your iPhone to your computer via USB and create backup copy devices. After this, it can be transferred to another Apple device.
  2. Via iCloud. To do this, activate the option “ Backup data." After this, wait until all the data is transferred to the cloud storage.
  3. Using other services. To do this, you can synchronize photos and videos with another cloud or simply send them to yourself via e-mail. In this case, contacts, notes and other information will have to be copied manually or via iCloud.

Only after making sure that important data has been moved can you delete it from the iPhone. If you moved them to iCloud, then first log out of your account. Otherwise, the information will disappear from the cloud.

Before buying an iPhone, make sure that there are no linked accounts on it and that the other one has been deleted user information.

Disable Find My iPhone service

The Find My iPhone service is used to remotely locate a device. To prepare your iPhone for sale, you must disable it. For this:

  1. On your device, go to the Settings menu.
  2. Find the "iCloud" section. The name may differ depending on the version of iOS you are using.
  3. A list of applications that are synchronized via iCloud will be displayed.
  4. Here, select “Find iPhone” (usually at the very bottom).
  5. Move the slider to Off.
  6. Additionally, deactivate the “Last geolocation” option.

After this you will not be able to track old iPhone through your Apple ID account. Here you can disable synchronization of other services.

Removing Apple ID

After all the data has been copied, you can unlink your Apple ID account from your iPhone. Step-by-step instruction:

  1. Connect your iPhone to the Internet and go to the Settings menu.
  2. Open the “iTunes and Apple Store” section. Your account information will be displayed.
  3. Click on the blue text with your email address.
  4. From the list that appears, select “Log Out.”

After this, your account information will be reset, and to use official services you will need to sign in to a different Apple ID account.

How to reset an iPhone to factory settings

It is not necessary to disable all accounts and delete files manually. There are several ways to completely reset the device and erase user information. After this, you will not be able to restore the information, so be sure to synchronize important data.

Method 1: Via iPhone

The easiest way is to erase all information directly through your smartphone. How to delete all data from iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings and open the General section. At the very bottom of the list, find and click on the “Reset” item.
  2. A list of available options will open. Select "Erase Content and Settings." Confirm the action. To do this, re-enter your account information.
  3. Confirm the reset again and click Erase iPhone. If you have not disabled Find My iPhone, you will additionally have to provide your Apple ID password.

After this, the screen will go dark and the smartphone will begin to clear user data. The operation time depends on the number of files stored in memory, and progress will be displayed below on the status bar.

Before wiping your device of user data, back up all important information to another phone or computer.

Method 2: Via iTunes

The program is available for download from the official Apple website and allows you to backup data and reset the device to factory settings. Instructions:

  1. Download and install iTunes on your computer. Launch the program and connect your iPhone via USB cable.
  2. If, after connecting, a window for entering a password appears in the program window, then enter it. Wait for the drivers to synchronize and install.
  3. Click on the iPhone icon and in the “Settings” menu go to the “Overview” tab.
  4. On the right side of the window, find and click the “Restore iPhone” button. Confirm the operation and wait until it is completed.

The program will delete all user information from the device and install new version iOS from the official website. After this, the iPhone will be prepared for resale.

Method 3: Via iCloud

Using this method, you can even erase your iPhone remotely. For example, if it was lost or stolen. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure your mobile device is connected to the Internet. If it was lost, the data will be deleted immediately after data transfer is turned on on the iPhone.
  2. From your computer, go to the official iCloud website and sign in using your Apple ID account.
  3. From the list of available services, select Find My iPhone. A list of devices connected to your account will be displayed.
  4. From the All Devices menu, select the iPhone you need. After that it will appear on the map.
  5. Click on the “Erase iPhone” button and confirm the action.

After this, all user information will be deleted, and the Find iPhone service will be disabled (as well as other related services and accounts). Therefore, searching for a device on the map and performing additional actions with it will no longer be possible.

Once the device is wiped and all user data is removed, it can be resold. After this, the new buyer will need to register a new Apple ID account and connect other official services on the smartphone.

The high reliability of the iPhone leads to the fact that its owner thinks about purchasing a new model faster than the device breaks down. Old smartphone in this case it is transferred to another family member or sent for sale. In any case, before you finally part with your old phone, you need to delete personal data from it and disable the binding to the Apple ID. Let's figure out how to clean an iPhone before selling it and save the information accumulated on it for later recovery.

If you've never done backups before, now is the time. The presence of a backup allows you not to configure new iPhone“from scratch”, but transfer data from the previous one to it. Thus, the user saves time and immediately receives the familiar set of applications.

Local copy

Any PC or Mac can be used to create a local copy of the data. The iTunes program installed on your computer must first be updated to the latest current version.

  1. We connect the iPhone using the original one USB cable. Having opened iTunes in the main window, click on the icon with a stylized image of a mobile device. In the drop-down menu, select the smartphone for which the copy is being created.
  1. Place a check mark in the place marked with the number “1”. To include the accounts and passwords saved on the device in the backup, we additionally activate data encryption.
  1. Set a password to access the backup copy.
  1. Confirm your desire to enable local encryption. If necessary, re-enter the previously set password.
  1. We are waiting for the copying to complete. The execution progress is displayed in a small window with a “Stop” button, which allows you to interrupt the procedure at any time.

Copy to iCloud

Creating a “cloud” copy of the device in iCloud is performed directly on the smartphone. The iPhone must be connected to Wi-Fi networks. Accordingly, the time required to complete the backup will depend on the speed of the wireless connection.

  1. Open the smartphone settings. On home page select the area with the owner’s avatar. Starting with iOS 10, it contains all the parameters related to Apple ID and other Apple services.
  1. Select the iCloud icon from the list. Open cloud storage management options.
  1. Scroll through the list of programs that are allowed access to iCloud. At the end of the list we see the “Backup” item.
  1. We move the switch marked with an arrow to the active position. The next step is to click on the interactive link to start creating an immediate backup.
  1. We are waiting for the operation to complete. The progress is shown in the standard iOS form. The button pressed in the previous step changes the assignment and allows you to interrupt the copying process.

Disabling services

Throughout the entire period using iPhone the user deals with various branded services. Created in the moment Apple activation ID we use it to purchase content or install applications from App Store. It is also used to link existing Apple gadgets into one ecosystem. For this reason, the next step in pre-sale preparation is to disable services.

Logging out of the Apple ID account to which the device is linked is the main condition for correctly preparing the smartphone for sale.

  1. We return to the main settings page again. Click on the marked item to open account management options.
  1. Scroll the image on the screen down to the end. We need the very last item, located under the list of linked devices. Click the “Exit” button.
  1. Enter your account password to disable Find My iPhone. Click the button marked in the screenshot to confirm your decision.

Apple mobile devices have their own iMessage messenger. Its peculiarity is that messaging is possible only between Apple devices. When changing iPhone 4, 5 or 6 to a newer SE, 7, 8 or X, you don’t have to turn it off. If you decide to switch to Android, this is a must. Otherwise, various failures may occur when sending SMS.

  1. Having opened the settings, go down to the main services section. Select the item marked in the screenshot.
  1. Turn the switch indicated by the frame to the off position.

Cleaning your device

As a result of preliminary preparation, we created a backup copy of the smartphone and disabled service services. Now the iPhone can be “zeroed” or, in other words, reset to factory settings.

Reset data on iPhone

After the operations described above are completed, we begin cleaning the personal information contained on the device.

  1. In the smartphone settings we find the “Basic” section.
  1. Having opened it, scroll through all the parameters to the end of the page. We need the penultimate item on the list.
  1. Select the option marked in the screenshot to delete settings and content.
  1. Clicking on the designated button will cause all information contained on it to be completely deleted from the device. After the reboot, a welcome message will appear on the screen and a prompt to select a language and region. You can turn off the smartphone and, after wiping the surface, wait for a potential buyer.

Erase using iTunes

You can also clean your iPhone before selling it using iTunes.

  1. After completing the backup and disabling services, select the option marked in the screenshot.

Remote wipe

The last option may be useful to the most inattentive users who forgot to sign out of Apple ID before handing over the device to someone else. To be able to take advantage remote control Find My iPhone must be enabled on your device.

  1. Get remote access can be done on the iCloud website or from any other Apple device directly associated with the user’s Apple ID or having a connection to it family sharing. After the geolocations of active devices are determined, select your phone on the left side of the screen. A control panel will appear at the bottom. Click on the button indicated by the arrow.
  1. As a result, the control panel should display available actions. Choose right button, indicated by a frame.
  1. In the pop-up window, click the “Erase” button. As a result, all data on the smartphone will be deleted remotely, and the smartphone itself will disappear from the list of those associated with the account. You can restore them to another iPhone, provided that you previously performed a local or cloud backup.

Finally

The decision to sell a smartphone does not come suddenly, and therefore there is always time for pre-sale preparation. Completing the described steps will allow you to save the necessary data, and the new owner will be able to fully use the device by linking it to his Apple ID.

Video instruction

The overview video below will allow you to become more familiar with the sequence of operations performed and can be used as a visual aid.

Sooner or later, any owner of an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch Faces the need to replace your favorite gadget with a new one. Many people prefer not to keep the device for a long time, but simply sell it. However, you should keep in mind a few simple operations that will save time and protect you from potentially unpleasant moments.

First of all, if you decide to sell your iOS device, do not forget to do data backup stored in his memory. The advice is banal, and many people use backup anyway, but you shouldn’t neglect it. Firstly, you can then transfer all the data and settings from your old iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to the new one after purchase, which will save a lot of time. Secondly, you are guaranteed not to lose photos, videos, saved game data and work progress in certain applications.

You can back up your device in two ways: via iTunes or via iCloud.

If you are making backups on your computer, then connect your iOS device to your computer, launch iTunes and click the “Back up” button.

If your data sent to iCloud, then just connect the device to a power source and start the backup manually: Settings > iCloud > Backup. Click the "Create Backup" button.

If you're running low on iCloud space, here are two things to consider: possible options. Firstly, you can reduce the backup size using our . Secondly, you can purchase additional iCloud storage using .

The next stage of preparation will be disabling anti-theft protection. You don’t want the new owner of your device to suddenly be faced with the need to enter the password for your Apple ID while using it? A completely unnecessary situation for both parties. Let's go to Settings > iCloud > Find iPhone and turn it off this function. You will be required to enter a password.

Now in the same section sign out of iCloud, agreeing twice to delete data.

The last step left is to erase any remaining traces of the device's use and any remaining data that belongs to you. Opening Settings > General > Reset and select “Erase content and settings.” This will return the device to its out-of-the-box state. After the reboot and the welcome screen appears asking you to configure the device, simply turn off the iOS device. In the future, the new owner will be able to configure the smartphone, tablet or player again.

This completes the preparation for sale. There are no traces of your presence left on the iOS device, and the new owner will not encounter any difficulties after the purchase. Moreover, thanks to the backup, you can very quickly move to a new iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, saving a fair amount of time.

Currently, smartphones and tablets contain a lot of personal information - financial data, photos and videos, personal correspondence, passwords for Internet services, applications and digital documents. Therefore, before you sell your device, you need to erase all content from your iPhone and iPad.

When preparing to sell or transfer your mobile device to another user, you may need to delete all or some of the files. However, you should first back up your content and disable some features and services. We recommend that you complete all the necessary steps in the order below.

If you still have an iPhone or iPad

Before you give your gadget to another user, make sure that you have deleted all personal data from it. To protect your content and restore your device to factory condition before handing it over to a new owner, follow the steps below.

Create a backup. To do this, open iTunes and connect your gadget to your computer and click on its icon in the upper left corner. Scroll down and click "Create a copy now."

Depending on the amount of data stored on the device, creating a backup may take up to 10 minutes. It will contain all your files and personal information located in this moment on mobile device. After purchasing a new device, you will need to do the same sequence of actions on it, but use the “Restore from copy” button.

Disable Apple services. To avoid SMS delivery issues, you need to sign out of iMessage. To disable iMessage, go to Settings -> Messages and move the “iMessage” toggle switch to the “Off” position. It is also recommended to disable the FaceTime service in Settings -> FaceTime.

Sign out of iCloud. Your account may store a large amount of personal information, including photographs, documents, and mail. To delete all iCloud data from your gadget and disconnect from your account, you need to go to Settings, select the iCloud tab and click the “Sign Out” button. This way, you will delete all personal information, but at the same time it will be saved in remote storage and will become available again after entering your account settings on a new device.

Erase the contents of your device. To delete content from iPhone and iPad, select Settings –> General –> Reset, and then select “Erase content and settings”. operating system will warn: “Are you sure you want to continue? All media files, data and settings will be erased. This action is irreversible." This will remove all data from your device, including photos, contacts, music, apps, and credit and debit cards added to Apple Pay. All services will be disabled. When you delete data from your device, its contents will not be deleted from iCloud storage.

After turn on iPhone or the iPad will ask the new owner to perform activation, as on a new device after purchase.

If you no longer have an iPhone or iPad

If you have not completed the instructions above before selling or giving your device to another person, please follow the steps below.

Ask the new owner of your iPhone or iPad to erase all content and settings as described above. If you use iCloud and Find My iPhone is turned on, you can erase your data remotely and remove the device from your account. To do this, go to icloud.com/find, select your gadget and click the “Erase” button. After deleting the data, click the “Remove from account” button. After you delete content, you must wait 24 hours before you can activate iMessage on your new device.

If you can't complete the suggested steps, change your account password Apple records ID. Changing your password doesn't delete any personal data stored on the device, but it does make it impossible for the new owner to delete the information from iCloud.

If you use Apple Pay, you can also delete your credit or debit card information on iCloud.com. To do this, tap Settings to view iPhones that use Apple Pay, then select the device and tap the Remove button next to Apple Pay.

If you sell or give away your iPhone, it is better to erase all personal data from it. First, you need to provide the buyer with a clean iPhone “just like from a store.” So that the new owner can choose which applications to download, which sites to bookmark, which social networks to register with, and so on. Secondly, a lot of personal information is stored on phones: browser history, passwords, number bank card. You can erase all data manually, but it will take a lot of time. What if you forget to delete something important? It’s easier to figure out how to prepare an iPhone for sale and quickly clean it.

If you have important correspondence, game scores, passwords or notes saved on your iPhone, you need to make a backup copy of them. To then download it to a new gadget.

iTunes on computer

  1. Connect the device to the computer using a USB cable;
  2. Wait until the PC detects the presence of the gadget;
  3. If iTunes doesn't launch automatically, open it manually. If you have another utility installed to work with Apple products, use it;
  4. The program will synchronize the devices for a while;
  5. Click on the iPhone image at the top left;
  6. Go to the "Overview" tab;
  7. In chapter " Automatic creation copies" click "Create". Before doing this, choose where to put the data: on your computer or in iCloud;
  8. Subsequently, you can transfer the information to a new iPhone. To do this, you will need to click on the “Restore from a copy” button (do not confuse it with simply “Restore”);
  9. Additionally, you need to save the purchased content. To do this, go to File - Purchases - Move Purchases. This way you can transfer purchased applications, music and videos to another device.

Without a computer

You can copy your data before selling your gadget without connecting it to a computer. You need a Wi-fi connection and stable internet.

  1. Place the gadget on charge so that the battery does not run out during copying;
  2. Open settings;
  3. Go to iCloud;
  4. Section "Backup";
  5. Slide the “Backup” switch;
  6. Confirm the action. You will need to enter your Apple account password.

Preparation for sale

Before selling your device, you must turn off all connected gadgets, exit all applications and turn off all networks.

Applications and devices

  1. In the settings, go to the “Bluetooth” tab;
  2. If there is something in the “My Devices” list, you need to clear it. To do this, tap on the “i” icons next to each item and select “Forget”.

If you have a watch Apple Watch, they should also be disconnected.

  1. Place them next to your iPhone;
  2. On the iPhone itself, open the Apple Watch app;
  3. Section "My watch";
  4. Select model;
  5. Click on "i";
  6. Tap “Break Pair”;
  7. Confirm the action. You may need to enter a password.

The same can be done in the clock menu:

  1. Go to Settings - General;
  2. Open the “Reset” subsection;
  3. Click Erase.

To prepare your device for transfer, you need to log out of some Apple applications. Through the options, go to the “Messages” (“iMessage”) and “FaceTime” menus. In each section, turn off the toggle switch.

It will also be useful to log out of all applications in which you have accounts. Of course, if you wipe the entire iOS system before selling it, there will be no information about saved passwords left on the iPhone. But you can also play it safe.

iCloud and AppStore

To prepare your iPhone, you need to disconnect all Apple accounts from it.

Go to settings and open iCloud.

Scroll down the menu.

Click “Sign Out” (or “Delete Account”).

This way you can erase information that was related to iCloud storage (photos, documents, notes). It will remain in the “cloud”. You will have access to it if you log into your profile on other devices.

  1. Now open the “App Store” section in settings;
  2. Click Sign Out.

The new owner will not be able to download or purchase applications using your account.

Reset settings

Here's how to clean and reset your iPhone before selling it.

Via iTunes:

  1. Connect your device to your PC. Open iTunes;
  2. Click on the iPhone icon;
  3. Go to the "Overview" tab;
  4. Click on the “Restore” button (do not confuse it with “Restore from a copy”);
  5. Confirm the action;
  6. Wait for the program to reset the settings.

Through the iPhone itself, the memory can be cleared like this:

  1. Go to settings;
  2. “Basic” tab;
  3. Click "Reset";
  4. Tap on “Erase content and settings”;
  5. Confirm and wait.

If you no longer have an iPhone

If you gave away your iPhone and forgot to erase it, no need to worry. At least you can unpin your Apple ID.

  1. Go to the iCloud website;
  2. Enter your registration details;
  3. Click the green “Find” button;
  4. A map will appear. It will display the location of the gadget to which your login is attached. It will look like a dot;
  5. Click on it. A window will pop up with the “Erase” option.

The user ID will be unlinked.

When transferring iPhone is better return it to factory settings. So that the new owner does not take advantage of your personal information for selfish purposes. Now you know how to delete everything from an iPhone before selling it.