Selling
What to do before selling your iPhone: a 10-step checklist
Last updated 2026-11-07 · 6 min read
Short answer
Back up your iPhone, move your banking and e-wallet apps to your new phone, unpair your Apple Watch, sign out of your Apple ID, erase the phone, then remove the SIM and the phone from your Apple account.
The 10 steps
- Back up. Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now, or back up to a computer.
- Move your banking app approvals. Apps like Maybank Secure2u or other banks' secure-device approvals are tied to one phone. Set them up on your new phone first, following your bank's instructions.
- Move your e-wallets and 2-factor codes. Log in to Touch 'n Go eWallet, Grab and others on the new phone, and move any authenticator app codes.
- Unpair your Apple Watch, if you have one, from the Watch app.
- Turn off iMessage if you're moving to Android, so your messages don't go missing.
- Sign out of your Apple ID: Settings > [your name] > Sign Out. This turns off Find My and Activation Lock.
- Erase the iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. If you use an eSIM, choose to erase it only if you've moved your number.
- Remove your SIM card.
- Check the phone is gone from your Apple account at account.apple.com, under Devices.
- Clean the phone and find the box and cable.
Why the order matters
Moving your bank and e-wallet apps before erasing saves you a trip to the bank. Signing out before erasing removes Activation Lock; if you erase first and forget to sign out, the buyer can't use the phone and you'll have to remove it from your account remotely.
Selling to RunMobile?
Do steps 1 to 6 before we meet. Our agent erases the phone in front of you and sends a WhatsApp receipt with the IMEI and wipe confirmation, so you know your data is gone.