It solves two problems in one hit: it means you don’t have to worry about selling the old iPhone, with the potential risk of being ripped-off by private buyers; and it reduces the upfront cost of the new device. And if that’s a new iPhone, any saving you can make will be very welcome!
Apple offers trade-ins from its website, as do many iPhone retailers. The major cell phone networks also offer trade-ins, so it’s well worth exploring your options on different sites and finding out which will give you the best deal. As you’ll see below, trade-in values can vary by hundreds of dollars, so definitely shop around for the best deal.
Some retailers may offer in-store trade-ins that allow you to get a confirmed valuation of your old handset instantly.If you’re sending your iPhone to a retailer/network for trade-in or doing it in-store, the key thing is to clear your phone of any personal data. If you click to buy any new iPhone on the Apple website, you should see the option to trade-in your current iPhone on the page, after you’ve configured the phone you wish to buy. You’ll be asked to specify the model of your old iPhone. An iPhone 14 Pro Max could earn up to $630 of trade-in value at the time of writing; at the other end of the scale, an iPhone 7 commands only $30.
If you plan to trade-in at an Apple Store, unpair all Apple Watch devices and back up your iPhone before visiting the store, and also sign out of iCloud, iTunes and the App Store. However, do not erase the device until it’s been assessed by an Apple specialist. They will help you erase all the personal content in store.
Once you’re ready to send the phone, you can either request a shipping kit or use your own packaging. Verizon stores can also accept trade-in handsets.When you receive your new phone, the company will send you a mailing kit to send in your old device, although that may not arrive for around 10 business days after the new handset. You then mail back the old device and wait for the credits to be applied, but this can take up to three billing cycles.