• Flipsy Research Team

How to Reset Your Apple Device Before You Sell It

Ready to sell your iPhone, iPad, iPod or Apple Watch? You need to protect your data with a factory reset. Here’s how to reset your Apple device to factory settings.

How to reset an iPhone, iPad or iPod

STEP 1: Back up your device
  • Connect your device to Wi-Fi
  • Browse to SETTINGS > YOUR NAME > ICLOUD (or just SETTINGS > ICLOUD)
  • Make sure iCloud Backup is enabled and tap BACK UP NOW
  • Alternatively, you can connect your device to your computer and back up via iTunes
STEP 2: Turn off Activation Lock/Find My iPhone & sign out of iCloud & App Store On iOS 10.3 or later:
  • Browse to SETTINGS > YOUR NAME > ICLOUD > FIND MY IPHONE
  • Turn off FIND MY IPHONE
  • Browse to SETTINGS > YOUR NAME > ICLOUD
  • Select SIGN OUT
  • Enter your Apple ID password and select TURN OFF
On iOS 10.2 or earlier:
  • Browse to SETTINGS > ICLOUD > FIND MY IPHONE
  • Turn off FIND MY IPHONE
  • Browse to SETTINGS > ICLOUD
  • Select SIGN OUT
  • Enter your Apple ID password to sign out
  • Browse to SETTINGS > ITUNES & APPE STORE > APPLE ID > SIGN OUT
Notes: If you’re switching to a non-Apple phone, you should deregister iMessage by browsing to SETTINGS > MESSAGES and toggling off iMessage. If you have an Apple Watch, keep it close to your iPhone and unpair it by browsing to APPLE WATCH > MY WATCH > INFO SYMBOL > UNPAIR APPLE WATCH. If you have a cellular plan, remove it when prompted.
STEP 3: Reset to factory settings
  • Browse to SETTINGS > GENERAL > RESET
  • Select ERASE ALL CONTENT AND SETTINGS
  • You might need to enter your passcode
  • Select ERASE
  • Your device will reset to factory settings

How to reset an Apple Watch

From a paired iPhone:
  • Open the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone
  • Browse to MY WATCH > GENERAL > RESET
  • Select Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings, then confirm (you might need to enter your Apple ID password)
  • If prompted, remove your cellular plan
  • Your Apple Watch will reset to factory settings
Without a paired iPhone:
  • Place your apple Watch on its charger
  • Hold the side button until the Power Off screen appears
  • Press the Power Off slider firmly, but do not slide it
  • Select Erase All Content and Settings
  • Your Apple Watch will reset to factory settings