How to prepare your iMac for trade-in from Europe

If you opted to trade in your iMac when you purchased a new Apple product, you'll get a trade-in kit in the mail with everything you need to ship your iMac to Apple. Here's everything you need to know about preparing and packing your iMac to trade it in.

Before you ship your iMac

  1. Back up your data. If you need help transferring data, schedule an appointment at an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple Store at getsupport.apple.com. It is your sole responsibility to back up all existing data, software, and/or programs from your product. Apple is not responsible for loss, recovery, or compromise of data, software, or programs on your trade-in product.

  2. Sign out of iCloud.

  3. Turn off your firmware password.

  4. Deauthorize your computer for content purchases.

  5. Erase your hard disk.

Pack your iMac

  1. Slide the foam inserts onto the sides of your iMac.

    Diagram showing how to slide foam inserts onto the sides of an iMac for packing, to protect it during shipping.

  2. Set your iMac securely in the box.

    Diagram showing how to fold the top flap and tuck in the cardboard flaps when packing an iMac for trade-in.

  3. Close the box, ensuring the side flaps are tucked into the sides of the box.

    Diagram illustrating how to tuck in the small cardboard flaps when closing the iMac trade-in box.

  4. Fold the top flap over the opening.

    Diagram showing how to fold the top flap of the iMac trade-in box.

  5. Close the top panel.

    Diagram showing how to fold the top flap over the opening of the iMac trade-in box

  6. Tuck the small cardboard flaps into their corresponding notches in the packaging.*

    Diagram showing how to close the top panel of the iMac trade-in box.

*Apple is not responsible for any damage during shipping.

Ship your iMac to Apple

  1. If a return shipping label is included, place it on the outside of the packaging. If applicable, make sure the return shipping label completely covers the old shipping label, or that you remove the old shipping label before applying the new shipping label.

  2. If a commercial invoice is included, place it on the outside of the packaging. Failure to put the commercial invoice on the outside of the packaging may render the package undeliverable. Commercial invoices are only necessary in some European countries.

  3. Find the name of the courier on the label (or elsewhere in the packing materials) and visit its website to arrange a collection or find a drop-off location.

  4. Ask the courier for proof of collection.

  5. Check your new device shipment email for a link to check the status of your trade-in.

Learn more

For sales and product inquiries, visit Contacting Apple.

See answers to frequently asked questions on the Apple Trade In page.

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