How to prepare your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android for Trade In

Prepare and send your old device to Apple for Trade In.

If you added a trade-in when you purchased your iPhone or Apple Watch, you'll receive a kit with everything you need to send your old device back to Apple. You may receive a kit in the same package from which you received your new device. Otherwise, the kit will be delivered by a courier or mailed to you separately as soon as your new item ships or is picked up. If you're in the Asia-Pacific region, a trade-in kit will be delivered to you or available at a designated location.

Customers in the Asia-Pacific region, only follow steps in the Before you return your [device] sections and Return your [device] sections for your country or region.

Before you return your iPhone

  1. Back up your iPhone.
  2. Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.
  3. You must remove your device from your Apple ID device list before you ship it.
  4. If you need to send in an iPhone that's paired with an Apple Watch, unpair your Apple Watch. When you unpair, your iPhone will create a backup of your Apple Watch.
  5. Go to Settings > Messages and turn off iMessage.
  6. Erase your iPhone.
  7. Turn off your iPhone.
  8. Remove the SIM card from your iPhone if it uses one and keep it in a safe place.
  9. Remove all screen protectors and/or phone cases. If these items are included in the box, they will be recycled and cannot be returned to you. 

 

Before you return your Apple Watch

  1. Update your Apple Watch to the latest version of watch OS.
  2. Unpair and erase your Apple Watch. When you unpair, your iPhone will create a backup of your Apple Watch.
  3. Remove the band from your Apple Watch. If it is included in the box, it will be recycled and cannot be returned to you.

 

Before you return your Android

  1. Back up your data.
  2. Erase the device and restore factory settings.
  3. Remove any SIM cards, memory cards, cases, and screen protectors.

Learn how to transfer your data from your Android device to an iOS device. Contact your device's manufacturer if you still need help.

 

Pack your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android

Important: If you purchased a new iPhone and Apple Watch and are trading in your used iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android, you will receive a separate, identical trade-in kit for each product. These trade-in kits may arrive on different days. Please make sure that you are packing the correct used product into the correct trade-in kit by checking that the Quote ID Number on your return shipping label matches the Quote ID Number in your confirmation email for the trade-in. You must initiate a separate trade-in for each product that you want to trade in and pack each trade-in product in a separate box. More information about how to trade-in or recycle your Apple product is available online.

If you're in the Asia-Pacific region, continue to the Return your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android section.

  1. Lift the cardboard insert from the shipping box and place your Apple Watch, iPhone, or Android into the insert with the screen facing up. Do not include multiple items in the same box.
  2. Lightly press down on the cardboard insert to secure your device.
  3. Close the shipping box. Do not include extra items in the box, including your SIM card. If you include extra items, they cannot be returned to you.
  4. Seal the box with tape and mail the box to Apple.* If there is a battery sticker pasted on the outside of the box, please make sure the battery sticker is not obstructed.
  5. Cover the entire original shipping label on the box with the return shipping label provided. If you see a red "peel here" sticker on your shipping label, the return shipping label is underneath. Carefully peel the red sticker to reveal the return shipping label.

*Apple is not responsible for any damage during shipping.

Return your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android

If you're in China mainland, continue to the China mainland section for instructions to return your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android.

United States and Canada

  1. Find the name of the courier on the return shipping label.
  2. Visit the courier’s website to find a drop-off location.
    -FedEx
    -UPS
  3. Check your new device shipment email for a link to check the status of your trade-in.

China mainland

The courier will bring you a trade-in kit to collect your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android.

  1. Get a receipt from the courier.
  2. Check your new device shipment email for a link to check the status of your trade-in.

Return your iPhone or Apple Watch in the Asia-Pacific region

If you're in the Asia-Pacific region (except for China mainland), choose your country or region for instructions to return your iPhone or Apple Watch to Apple.

Australia

  1. Choose a scheduled pick-up or drop-off at designated locations. If you choose pick-up, a trade-in kit will be delivered to you before courier collection. For drop-off, the trade-in kit will be available at the drop-off location.
  2. Get a receipt from the courier.
  3. Check your new device shipment email for a link to check the status of your trade-in.

Hong Kong

  1. Choose a scheduled pick-up or drop-off at designated locations. If you choose pick-up, the courier will bring a trade-in kit to collect your iPhone or Apple Watch. For drop-off, the trade-in kit will be available at the drop-off location.
  2. Get a receipt from the courier.
  3. Check your new device shipment email for a link to check the status of your trade-in.

Japan

The courier will bring you a trade-in kit to collect your iPhone or Apple Watch. Check your new device shipment email for a link to check the status of your trade-in.

Korea

A trade-in kit will be delivered to you for drop-off.

  1. Drop off your device at a designated location.
  2. Get a receipt from the courier.
  3. Check your new device shipment email for a link to check the status of your trade-in.

Taiwan

The courier will bring you a trade-in kit to collect your iPhone or Apple Watch. 

  1. Get a receipt from the courier.
  2. Check your new device shipment email for a link to check the status of your trade-in.

Vietnam

  1. Choose a scheduled pick-up or drop-off at designated locations. If you choose pick-up, the courier will bring a trade-in kit to collect your iPhone or Apple Watch. For drop-off, the trade-in kit will be available at the drop-off location.
  2. Get a receipt from the courier.
  3. Check your new device shipment email for a link to check the status of your trade-in.

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