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: