How to factory reset an iPhone for resale

A pre-resale wipe is more than just "Erase All Content." Skip the sign-out steps and you'll hand the buyer a paperweight with the words "Apple ID required to activate." This is the right order, in 5 minutes.

The pre-reset checklist

Before you tap Erase, do these in order:

1. Back up if you want to keep anything

Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Or plug the iPhone into a Mac / PC and back up to Finder / iTunes. After reset, the data is gone — this is your last chance.

2. Unpair Apple Watch (if paired)

Open the Watch app on iPhone → My Watch → tap the watch at the top → Unpair Apple Watch. This properly clears the watch's pairing record. Skipping this leaves the watch in a half-paired state that confuses the next owner.

3. Sign out of iMessage and FaceTime

Settings → Messages → toggle iMessage off. Settings → FaceTime → toggle FaceTime off. This is critical if you're switching to another iPhone — keeps your number from being stuck routing to the old device.

4. Sign out of Apple ID

Settings → [Your Name] → scroll down → Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password. Choose what data to keep on the device (doesn't matter, you're about to wipe). Tap Sign Out, then confirm.

This is the step most often skipped, and it's the step that causes the buyer's phone to demand your password. After signing out properly, Find My iPhone is disabled and Activation Lock is cleared.

5. Remove the SIM (or eSIM)

Physical SIM: pop the tray, take the SIM. eSIM: Settings → Cellular → tap the eSIM line → Remove eSIM. Some carriers require an explicit transfer code before they release the eSIM — call your carrier first if you're unsure.

Now factory reset

1. Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
2. Tap "Continue" through the prompts.
3. Enter your passcode.
4. If asked for your Apple ID password — STOP. You didn't sign out properly. Cancel, go back to step 4 above, then return.
5. The reset takes 2–10 minutes depending on storage size.

When the reset completes, the iPhone reboots and shows the "Hello" setup screen. That's the goal — a phone that boots to setup with no account challenge.

Verify the reset took

Tap through the setup screen until you see:

• Language selection — yes
• Country / region — yes
• Quick Start — choose "Set Up Manually"
• Wi-Fi connection — connect to a network
• Activation — should proceed without asking for an Apple ID

If activation asks for an Apple ID, the device is still iCloud-locked. Power off, sign out properly (you'll need the previous Apple ID password), then re-reset.

Alternative: reset from Recovery Mode

If you can't get into iOS (forgotten passcode, screen broken), you can reset via Recovery Mode:

1. Plug the iPhone into a Mac (Finder) or Windows PC (iTunes).
2. Force-restart while connected: press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears (cable + computer icon).
3. Finder / iTunes shows a Restore prompt. Click Restore.
4. The device reflashes to factory firmware and erases all content.

Important: Recovery Mode reset does NOT remove Activation Lock. If "Find My" was on when the iPhone went into Recovery, the reset will complete but the device will be Activation-Locked at the next setup. The original Apple ID is still required.

Pre-resale final check

Before handing over or shipping the iPhone:

1. Power on. Should reach the "Hello" setup screen.
2. Tap through to Wi-Fi setup. Activation should proceed without an Apple ID prompt.
3. Power off. Pack the device with charging cable and (if you kept it) the original box.

Buyers run their own verification — your goal is to make sure their first-power-on works on the first try.