How to Sell an iPhone: The Complete BuyBackWorld Guide

BuyBackWorld iPhone Selling Guide:

1. Step One: Identify Your iPhone MODEL

This seems obvious, but the first step in trading in your iPhone is to identify the device that you currently have. Most iPhones have the model name and GB capacity on the back of the device which makes it easy to complete this first step. If you’re having trouble figuring out exactly which iPhone you’re planning on trading in, check out BuyBackWorld's Guide on how to identify your iPhone model.

You can also go into General --> Settings --About--> Model to see the iPhone model you have:

Apple also has a few helpful hints on their website here

2. What’s the CONDITION of your iPhone?

Assessing the condition of your iPhone accurately is a crucial step in trading in your device and receiving the quoted value. To received the quoted value of your iPhone, make sure you follow our condition guidelines for evaluating your phone’s condition:

• 100% Functional - make sure your device is 100% Functional. This will help you choose between Excellent and Average condition. (New means SEALED and never opened and Poor/Broken means one or more issues)
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• Cosmetic Condition - determine the cosmetic condition of the phone by examining the amount of scratches, dead pixels, dents, and cracks on the device.
  • Very light (if any) signs of scratches of wear with NO LCD Issues (tint, dead pixels, bright spots, etc) means your device is most likely in Excellent condition
  • Normal signs of wear with no functional defects means your device is most likely in AVERAGE condition

If your device has any issues (LCD issues, Broken WiFi, Defective Home/Mute/Other buttons), we would consider it to be in POOR condition.

For a full explanation of LCD issues possible on your iPhone and any device with a screen, please feel free to review our LCD Issues Explained. 

Please Note: We do not purchase any device which is iCloud Locked or not clear for activation. 

3. CLEAR & Prepare Your iPhone for Sale - REMOVE ICLOUD AND RESET DEVICE

You might be sure of your iPhone model and its condition, but there are still a few other steps necessary to sell your iPhone to BuyBackWorld.

a. REMOVE ICLOUD - Please remove your device from your iCloud Account and perform a full factory reset to make sure that there are no passwords left on your device. If you are unable to perform a reset because of a password, our technicians will encounter the same issue and it will slow down your inspection time

Even if your device is BROKEN and in POOR condition, you must still remove it from your iCloud Account or else we will be unable to process it.

Apple has a full guide on what to do before sending your device in

b. REMOVE PASSWORDS & SIM CARDS- Please remove any Passwords from your device and SIM Cards. We do not require them for trade-in.

c. CLEAR FOR ACTIVATION - Please make sure your device is clear for activation on its respective carrier. This means that there are no unpaid bills on your account and the device is not reported lost/stolen.

4. PACKAGE Your iPhone for Trade In - Include Accessories for Newer iPhones (Released 2019+)

Shipping to BuyBackWorld is ALWAYS FREE. You can use our prepaid shipping labels to print at home and send them in or we will send you a Free Shipping Kit right to your front door.

In general, when getting ready to trade in your iPhone, here are the shipping guidelines we recommend:

• Wrapping the device in bubble wrap
• Adding packing peanuts or some type of cushioning to the package
• Ensuring that the box is securely closed with durable packing tape + sealing it
• Shake the box / padded envelope - make sure that there is no movement detected inside that might damage your item in transit. 

For newer iPhones released in 2019 or newer (iPhone 11 Pro and up), we require that you send in the power adapter and cable for trade-in.

For older iPhones released prior to 2018 (iPhone X and older), we do not require that you send in accessories.

For a full list of items that require accessories, please consult our FAQ here.

5. Get Paid CASH to Trade In Your Old iPhone Today - No Store Credit Here :)

Are you ready to trade in your device and earn some CASH before you upgrade to a new device? Head over to BuyBackWorld Today and get a Quote

Remember, we pay you cash in the most ways - Check, PayPal or Venmo and it is never store credit so you can spend it any way you like!