The short answer
Back up your phone, sign out of your accounts so the activation lock is removed, erase it with the official factory reset, and take out your SIM and memory card. Then test it, find the exact model and storage, check what the same phone has recently sold for in the same condition, and choose between a marketplace, a local sale or a trade-in. Buyers pay for phones that are clean, unlocked from your account and honestly described.
Step 1: back up, sign out and erase
This is the most important step. A phone that is still linked to your account is a privacy risk for you and a brick for the buyer.
- Back up your photos, messages, contacts and two-factor authentication apps. Move authenticator codes to your new phone before you erase the old one.
- Remove the activation lock. On an iPhone, sign out of your Apple Account in Settings, which turns off Find My and Activation Lock. On Android, remove your Google account, and any manufacturer account such as a Samsung account, before resetting, so Factory Reset Protection does not lock the buyer out. Follow the maker's official support steps for your model.
- Unpair accessories such as a smartwatch or earbuds, and deregister the phone from messaging services if your maker recommends it.
- Erase it with the built-in factory reset, not by deleting files by hand.
- Remove your SIM card and any memory card. If you use an eSIM, contact your carrier or remove it in settings as directed.
After the reset, the phone should start at the setup screen and ask for no account of yours. If it does, go back and sign out properly.
Step 2: clean and test it
Wipe the screen and back with a soft, slightly damp cloth, and clear lint from the ports and speaker grilles gently with a soft brush. Then test what buyers will ask about:
- It powers on, charges and holds a charge. If the phone shows battery health, note it.
- Touchscreen response across the whole display, and any dead pixels, burn-in or lines.
- Front and rear cameras, flash, microphone, speakers, buttons and face or fingerprint unlock.
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and, with a SIM, calls and mobile data.
- Carrier lock status. An unlocked phone appeals to more buyers; your carrier can tell you whether it is locked and how to request an unlock if you qualify.
Step 3: gather the extras
Find the original box, charging cable, any unused earbuds or adapters, and the receipt if you still have it. A receipt or proof of purchase reassures buyers that the phone is not lost or stolen. Do not include a case or charger you plan to keep in the photos.
Step 4: photograph it
- The front with the screen on, in soft light and without glare.
- The back, the edges and the camera lenses.
- A close-up of every scratch, crack or dent.
- The About screen showing the model and storage, with the serial number and IMEI hidden or cropped out of public photos.
- The box and accessories, if included.
Step 5: research the value
The model, storage, color, carrier status and condition decide what a phone sells for, and similar-looking models can differ a lot. Scan the phone with WorthAI to identify the exact model and see an estimated worth with a range, a suggested asking price, a reading of buyer demand and the marketplace listings it found. If it asks for more detail, add a photo of the About screen or tap Refine Result. Then check recent sold prices for the same model and storage in the same condition, because asking prices can run high. Our guide to sold versus active listings explains the difference.
Step 6: choose where to sell
- General marketplaces: the widest audience, with shipping and some buyer protection, in return for selling fees.
- Local selling: no shipping and fast payment, but you meet the buyer in person.
- Trade-in and buyback programs: run by phone makers, carriers and stores. Quick and simple, often for less than a private sale, and condition is checked on their terms.
Phones with cracked screens or faults still sell, usually to repairers. Say so clearly and list them as for parts or repair.
Step 7: write the listing
Put the brand, model, storage, color and carrier status in the title. Our free listing title builder helps you fit them in. In the description, state the condition, battery health if shown, what you tested, what is included and that the phone has been reset and removed from your account.
Step 8: price it and count the fees
Price from recent sales of the same phone, then adjust for condition and extras. Use the resale profit calculator to see what you keep after selling fees and shipping, and compare that with a trade-in offer before you decide.
Step 9: ship or meet safely
Ship in a padded box or mailer with tracking, and check your carrier's rules for devices with lithium batteries. For local sales, meet in a busy public place, many police stations offer safe exchange zones, let the buyer test the phone, and accept payment you can verify before you hand it over. Be wary of buyers who ask you to ship before paying or to use an unusual payment method.
After the sale
Keep the tracking number and your photos until the sale is final. Remove the phone from your account's device list online, and confirm that any trade-in or carrier balance is settled.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to remove my account before selling a phone?
Yes. Sign out of your Apple Account or remove your Google and manufacturer accounts before you factory reset. Otherwise activation lock can stop the buyer from setting the phone up.
Is a factory reset enough to erase my data?
On modern phones, the official factory reset is the recommended way to erase your data. Back up first, sign out of your accounts, then use the reset in settings rather than deleting files by hand.
Can I sell a phone with a cracked screen?
Usually yes. Repairers and parts buyers look for damaged phones. Describe the damage clearly, show it in photos and list the phone as for parts or repair if it does not work fully.
Should I trade in my phone or sell it privately?
A trade-in is faster and simpler. A private sale may bring more but takes more work and carries fees. Compare the trade-in offer with what you would keep after fees from a private sale.