Prepare your iPhone for Express Replacement Service

After you schedule Express Replacement Service*, you'll get a kit that has your replacement iPhone and everything that you need to send back your original iPhone.

Before you return your original iPhone

If you have an iPhone 18 Pro Max, learn how to prepare for shipping. For other iPhone models, follow the steps below to ship your iPhone to Apple.

  1. Back up your iPhone

  2. Make sure the iCloud features you use have finished syncing: Open the Settings app, tap your name, then tap iCloud. The status icon next to Saved to iCloud should be green.

  3. Turn off Apple Cash: Open the Settings app, scroll down, then tap Wallet & Apple Pay. Then turn off Apple Cash.

  4. Remove your cards and passes from Apple Wallet: Open the Wallet app, select a card or pass, tap the More button, then tap Card (or Pass) Details. Tap Remove Card (or Pass).

  5. Check your iPhone Parts and Service History. If a part has Finish Repair next to it, you need to finish that repair before you bring your device to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. If you can't finish a repair for a part that needs service, you might be charged an out-of-warranty fee or the service might be denied for that part.1

  6. In iOS 27 or iPadOS 27 or later, turn on Ready for Repair or Trade-In for your device: In the Find My app, select your device, tap the More button, tap Repair or Trade In, then tap Enable. In iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or earlier, turn off Find My: Go to the Settings app, tap your name, then tap Find My. Tap "Find My [Device]" and turn off "Find My [Device]".2

If you can't turn off Find My on your device, go to the Find My app on another device or go to icloud.com/find. Select your iPhone, then select Repair or Trade-In or Remove This Device. Follow the onscreen instructions to prepare it for repair.

Pack your original iPhone

Your Express Replacement Service kit includes everything that you need to pack up and send your original iPhone to Apple — including the smaller white or natural box and larger shipping box that your replacement iPhone arrived in, which you use to pack up your original iPhone and ship it to Apple.

  1. Place your iPhone into the smaller white or natural box. Don't include anything else — like a phone case, power adapter, USB cable, or other accessory. If you include extra items in the box, they won't be returned.

  2. Put the smaller box into the same larger shipping box that was delivered to you. If there's a battery sticker pasted on the outside of the box, make sure it's not covered by tape or a shipping label.

Ship your original iPhone to Apple

Make sure to get a receipt from the courier to confirm that you've returned your original iPhone. Apple isn't responsible for any damage during shipping.

Apple will release the temporary hold on your card after we process your original device and confirm that the issue is covered. If your original device is not returned within 10 business days or is found ineligible for service due to unauthorized modifications or severe damage, the hold will be charged to your card.

*Express Replacement Service is an AppleCare benefit that is not available in all countries or regions.

1Find out what to do if you can't finish a repair.

2In iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 or earlier, to prevent anyone else from getting service for your device without your knowledge, Apple might not be able to service your device if Find My isn't turned off.

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