When you get a new phone, it’s tempting to just sell your old one and forget about it. But before you do that, there are a few things you should do to make sure you get the most money for your device and protect your privacy. Here are six important things to do before selling your old phone.
1) Make Sure It Isn’t Blocked
If you’re selling your phone to a carrier or retailer, they will typically check to see if the device is blacklisted before they purchase it from you. If it is, that means it’s been reported lost or stolen, and they will not be able to activate it on their network. So before selling a blacklisted iPhone or Android phone, you’ll need to get it unblocked first. This usually involves contacting your carrier, providing proof of ownership, and paying a fee.
To get your phone unblocked, start by contacting your carrier. They will likely ask for proof of ownership (like a receipt or bill) as well as your account number and password. Once they have verified that you are the owner of the phone, they will unlock it for you. There may be a fee associated with this process, so be sure to check with your carrier beforehand.
2) Erase All Your Data
Once your phone is unlocked, the next step is to erase all your data. This is important for two reasons: first, you don’t want anyone to have access to your personal information; and second, wiping your data will usually increase the value of your phone. There are a few different ways to erase your data, but the most thorough way is to do a factory reset. This will erase all your personal data, including photos, videos, music, apps, and files. To do a factory reset on an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. For Android phones, the process is different depending on the make and model, but you can usually find the option by going to Settings > Backup & Reset.
Keep in mind that a factory reset will not erase your SD card, so if you have one, be sure to remove it before doing a reset. This will also not erase any data that is backed up to the cloud (like iCloud or Google Drive), so be sure to delete those files as well.
3) Remove Your SIM Card
Once your data is erased, the next step is to remove your SIM card. Your SIM card contains all of your contact information and could be used to access your carrier account. If you plan on giving away or recycling your old phone, it’s important to remove the SIM card before doing so.
Additionally, if you’re planning on upgrading to a new phone with the same carrier, you can simply move your SIM card from your old phone to your new one.
Also, if you have an iPhone with a physical SIM card (like the iPhone 4), be sure to keep that SIM card safe. You can use it to activate a new iPhone or iPad, even if you don’t have your old phone anymore.
4) Keep Your Charger and Cable
Your charger and cable are not specific to your phone, so there’s no need to include them when you sell your device. You can keep them and use them with your new phone or give them away to someone else.
On the other hand, if you’re selling your phone without a charger or cable, be sure to mention that in the listing. This will likely lower the price of your phone, but it’s better, to be honest upfront than to have buyers complain later.
Additionally, if you’re including a case or other accessories with your phone, be sure to mention that in the listing as well.
5) Check the Physical Condition
Before listing your phone for sale, it’s important to inspect it for any physical damage. This includes cracks in the screen, scratches on the body, and water damage. Any of these can lower the value of your phone, so it’s important to mention them in your listing.
If your phone is in good condition, be sure to mention that as well. Buyers will be willing to pay more for a phone that looks and works like new. Plus, including photos of your phone in the listing will give buyers a better idea of its condition.
When you are taking photos of your phone, be sure to include close-ups of any damage as well as shots of the phone from all angles. This will give buyers a clear idea of what they’re getting and help you avoid any issues later.
6) Choose the Right Listing Platform
Finally, once you’ve taken all these steps, it’s time to choose a listing platform. There are a few different options available, but the most popular are online marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist.
eBay is a good option if you’re looking for a quick sale. The site is easy to use and there are millions of potential buyers. However, you will have to pay fees to list and sell your phone on eBay.
Craigslist is another popular option, and it’s a great way to sell locally. The site is free to use, but you will have to deal with buyers yourself. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on your preferences.
Additionally, there are a few phone-specific sites you can use, like Gazelle and Swappa. These sites are designed for selling phones and other electronics, so they’re worth checking out as well.
Selling your old phone can be a simple and easy process, as long as you take the time to prepare. By following these steps, you can be sure that you’ll get the most money for your device and avoid any headaches along the way. Keep in mind that the value of your phone will depend on its make, model, condition, and other factors, so be sure to do your research before listing it for sale. With a little effort, you can sell your old phone and upgrade to a new one without any problems.
