Short answer: Back up, sign out of your Apple ID, turn off Find My, remove the eSIM, then erase the device from Settings — in that order. Do not simply reset the phone. If you skip the sign-out, the phone stays locked to your account, becomes unusable for the buyer, and you will be contacted about it weeks later.
The order matters
Doing these steps out of sequence causes most of the problems people run into.
1. Back up everything
Back up to iCloud, or to a computer if your iCloud storage is short. Then check the backup completed rather than assuming — a backup that failed overnight because storage was full is the classic way to lose years of photos.
If you are moving to a new iPhone, do the device-to-device transfer first and confirm everything arrived before erasing anything.
2. Transfer your eSIM
Do this before erasing. An eSIM does not move by itself, and once the phone is wiped you may need a fresh QR code from your operator, sometimes for a fee. See eSIM on iPhone in India.
If you use a physical SIM, just remove it — and check the tray, because SIMs get forgotten and posted to strangers surprisingly often.
3. Unpair your watch and accessories
If you use an Apple Watch, unpair it from the iPhone first. It creates a fresh backup as part of unpairing. Also unpair AirPods and any other Bluetooth accessories you are keeping.
4. Sign out of your Apple ID
This is the step that matters most. Go to Settings → [your name] → Sign Out. It turns off Find My and removes Activation Lock.
If you skip it, the buyer's phone will demand your Apple ID password on setup, and no repair centre can remove that. You will be contacted, and you will have to do it remotely through iCloud — assuming you still can.
5. Erase properly
Use Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. This is a genuine wipe, not a reset of preferences.
Do not hand over a phone that has only been logged out of manually. Erase it.
6. Remove it from your account list
Sign in at iCloud on another device or a browser, find the device in your device list, and remove it. This confirms it is no longer associated with you.
Before it leaves your hands
A few things worth doing that most guides omit.
Note the IMEI and keep it. If a dispute arises later, or the device is used improperly, you will want a record of exactly which handset you sold and when.
Photograph the device on all sides, and photograph the Settings screen showing it erased. Two minutes now, and it settles any argument about condition.
Keep the invoice if you still have it — and give a copy to the buyer if you are selling privately. It raises what you can ask for.
Check for a protection plan or insurance attached to the device and cancel or transfer it.
What raises the price you get
Four things, in rough order of impact.
Battery health. A high reading is the first thing informed buyers check, and it moves price more than cosmetic condition does. See what each percentage means.
Original box and cable. Worth keeping for exactly this reason.
The invoice. Documented ownership makes buyers comfortable and speeds up the sale.
Honest condition description. Photograph the scratches. Buyers who feel misled negotiate hard at handover or return the device; buyers who knew what they were getting do not.
What does not raise the price much: cleaning it thoroughly, or a screen protector. Do them anyway, but do not expect a premium.
Where the value actually goes
Worth knowing how much your device has already depreciated before you set a price — and how much is left. The generation-by-generation picture is in iPhone resale value in India by model.
The short version: the steepest drop happens in year one, and the sharpest later fall comes when Apple stops supporting a generation. If your phone is approaching that point, selling sooner is usually better than selling later.
And if you are replacing it, the renewed range starts well below new pricing, with 100% battery health and an 18-month warranty on iPhones.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do before selling my iPhone?
Back up, transfer or remove your eSIM, unpair your Apple Watch, sign out of your Apple ID, erase all content and settings, then remove the device from your account list.
What happens if I forget to sign out of my Apple ID?
Activation Lock stays on and the buyer cannot use the phone. No repair centre can remove it. You would need to remove the device remotely from your iCloud account.
Is a factory reset enough before selling?
No. Use Erase All Content and Settings, and sign out of your Apple ID first. A reset alone can leave the device tied to your account.
Do I need to remove my eSIM before erasing?
Transfer it first. An eSIM does not move automatically, and after erasing you may need a new QR code from your operator, sometimes at a cost.
What increases the resale value of a phone?
Battery health above all, then the original box and cable, the purchase invoice, and an honest description of cosmetic condition supported by photographs.
