Quick answer: back up, unpair your watch, sign out of your Apple Account or remove your Google and Samsung accounts, then erase the phone and take out your SIM. A phone still linked to your account can’t be sold.
The checklist
- Back up everything – how to back up.
- Move authenticator apps and banking app logins to your new phone.
- Unpair any smartwatch.
- iPhone: turn off iMessage, then Settings → [your name] → Sign Out. This turns off Find My and Activation Lock.
- Samsung: remove your Samsung account and Google account in Settings → Accounts and backup → Manage accounts.
- Pixel: remove your Google account in Settings → Passwords & accounts.
- Erase the phone – how to factory reset.
- Remove the SIM and any memory card. If you use an eSIM, choose to delete it when erasing, or ask your network to move it to your new phone.
- Remove the phone from your Apple Account device list or Google account devices online.
Don’t sell a phone that still shows “Activation Lock” or asks for the previous owner’s Google account after a reset – the buyer won’t be able to use it.
Get the best price
- Clean it with a dry microfibre cloth.
- Find the original box and charger if you have them.
- Know your exact model and storage size (how to find your model).
- Be honest about cracks or faults – it makes the sale quicker.
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