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How to Remove Your iCloud Account and Prepare Your Device for Trade-In

To sell or trade in your Apple device, Find My must be turned off. This disables Apple’s Activation Lock and removes the device from your Apple ID. If Activation Lock is still active, we will not be able to test, process, or pay for the device.

Activation Lock is a security feature that prevents anyone else from using your device if it’s lost or stolen. We cannot accept any device still linked to an Apple ID, even if it has been factory reset. You must sign out of iCloud to release this lock.

Instructions: If You Still Have the Device

iPhone and iPad

  1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.

  2. Tap Find My, then tap Find My iPhone/iPad and toggle it Off. Enter your Apple ID password to confirm.

  3. Go back to the main Settings menu, tap your name again, scroll to the bottom, and tap Sign Out.

  4. To finish, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Apple Watch

Note: Keep your iPhone and Apple Watch close together during this process.

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.

  2. Tap the My Watch tab and select All Watches at the top.

  3. Tap the info (i) button next to the watch you want to remove.

  4. Tap Unpair Apple Watch. (For cellular models, choose to remove your data plan).

  5. Enter your Apple ID password to disable Activation Lock and confirm.

Mac (macOS Ventura or Later)

  1. Click the Apple Menu () > System Settings.

  2. Click your name in the sidebar.

  3. Click iCloud on the right, then select Find My Mac and turn it Off. Enter your password.

  4. Go back to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.

  5. Click Erase All Content and Settings and follow the on-screen prompts.

Mac (macOS Monterey or Earlier)

  1. Click the Apple Menu () > System Preferences.

  2. Click Apple ID, then click iCloud in the sidebar.

  3. Uncheck Find My Mac. Enter your password when prompted.

  4. Click Overview (or Apple ID) and click Sign Out.

Instructions: If You No Longer Have the Device

If the device won't power on or you have already shipped it, you can remove the lock remotely via a web browser:

  1. Sign in to iCloud.com/find.

  2. Select All Devices and choose the device you are trading in.

  3. Select Remove from Account.

    • Note: If the device is not "Offline," you may need to select Erase Device first before the "Remove from Account" option appears.

After You Complete These Steps

Your device will be fully unlocked and ready for trade-in. This ensures we can quickly inspect and process your trade-in without delay.

Pro Tip: Before erasing, make sure you have backed up your data to iCloud or your computer so you don't lose your photos and files!

If you run into any trouble, please reach out to our support team. We're here to help.

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