13 July 2026 · 7 min read
How to prepare a phone for sale: backup, account sign-out and factory reset
The phone you are selling carries your photos, passwords, banking apps and email access. Preparing it properly is not just courtesy to the buyer, it protects you first. A tidy, properly signed-out and cleaned phone also sells faster and for more money.
A lot of second-hand phones pass through our hands, so we know exactly where sellers get stuck: the phone arrives with the Apple ID or Google account lock still active and the deal stalls. Here is the order of steps that always works.
1. Back everything up
Before deleting anything, save what you want to keep. On an iPhone, turn on iCloud backup (Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup) or connect the phone to a computer. On Android, use the Google One backup (Settings > Google > Backup) and confirm your photos really are in Google Photos.
Double-check the things that do not transfer automatically: chats in messaging apps (WhatsApp and similar have their own backup), two-factor authenticator apps, and tickets or cards saved in your wallet app.
2. Sign out of all accounts (the most important step)
An active Apple ID with Find My iPhone on means Activation Lock: the buyer cannot use the phone until you remove your account. The same goes for a Google account on Android (FRP protection). A locked phone is useless to the buyer and the number one cause of post-sale disputes.
On an iPhone: Settings > your name > Sign Out (this also turns off Find My). On Android: Settings > Accounts > remove the Google account. If you are selling remotely and forgot this step, you can remove an iPhone from your account at icloud.com/find, and an Android at myaccount.google.com under your devices.
3. Remove the SIM and erase the eSIM
- ·Take the physical SIM card out; it loves getting forgotten in the tray.
- ·If you use an eSIM, delete it in the mobile network settings or transfer it to your new phone BEFORE the reset.
- ·Make sure the phone is not carrier-locked to a contract; unlocked phones sell faster and for more.
4. Factory reset
Only after the backup and sign-outs are done, run the reset: on an iPhone Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings; on Android Settings > System > Reset > Erase all data. Modern phones encrypt their storage, so a factory reset is safe enough and no special data "overwriting" is needed.
After the reset, leave the phone waiting on the setup welcome screen. Do not set it up again and do not add your account back.
5. Clean it and gather the accessories
- ·Wipe it with a microfibre cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol; clean the charging port and speakers too (soft brush or a toothpick, gently).
- ·Remove a worn case and screen protector; a cracked protector in the photos knocks more off the price than it is worth.
- ·Find the original box, cable and charger; a bundle with original packaging sells for noticeably more.
- ·Check battery health (iPhone: Settings > Battery > Battery Health) and state it honestly in the listing.
6. Honest photos and description
Photograph the phone in daylight from all sides, scratches included. In the description list the model, storage, battery health and whether it is unlocked for all carriers, and note the IMEI for yourself (show it to the buyer on the device at the sale). An honest description means fewer questions, less haggling and no complaints.
If you would rather skip the selling part, and the phone is prepared using the steps above, you can send it to us through our buyout form: describe the condition, add photos and we reply with an offer.
Frequently asked questions
Is a factory reset enough to keep my data safe?+
On phones from roughly the last ten years, yes: the storage is encrypted and the reset discards the encryption key, so the data cannot be recovered. What matters more is signing out of your Apple ID or Google account BEFORE the reset, otherwise the phone stays locked to you.
What is Activation Lock and why is it a problem?+
Activation Lock is Apple's anti-theft protection: as long as the phone is tied to your Apple ID with Find My enabled, nobody else can set it up and use it. When selling, you disable it by signing out of your account in the settings; remotely, you remove the device at icloud.com/find.
How much more is a phone with the original box worth?+
In our experience a bundle with the original box, cable and receipt sells for roughly €10-20 more in the mid range and even more for newer models, and above all it sells faster because it signals well-kept ownership.
Should I put the IMEI in the listing?+
No. Note the IMEI for yourself and show it to the buyer on the device at the sale (dial *#06#). A publicly posted IMEI can be abused. A serious buyer will verify the IMEI at handover, which is entirely enough.
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