If you’re looking to sell your Apple device, send it to us for service, or return it within the 15-day return period, then it’s vital that you properly prepare your iPhone or iPad for this return. This process is crucial to ensure that you can keep all of your data and that third parties don’t get access to it.

In short, this guide will cover how you a) back up your data, b) deactivate find my iPhone, c) remove your Apple ID, and d) perform a factory reset (i.e. erase all of your content and settings).

1. How to back up your iPhone data

This step is crucial to ensure that all your precious images, videos, texts, and other content won’t get lost along the process.

The best way to do so is via an iCloud backup, which will enable you to seamlessly access your data via another Apple device or via the iCloud.com web app.

To do so, simply follow the instructions from the video below

How to back up your WhatsApp history

Backing up your device via iCloud does not automatically back up your WhatsApp chats. If you want to keep those as well, you need to do so via the WhatsApp app on your device.

The video below explains all the steps you need to take in order to back up your WhatsApp history

 2. How to disable Find My iPhone

Find my iPhone is a great tool to manage your iPhone remotely. In case your device gets stolen, Find My iPhone enables you to not only track the location of your device, but also to block any access to your device remotely.

Of course, since you’re looking to return your iPhone and potentially even sell it, it’s of utmost importance that this setting is disabled before you return your device.

Please refer to the video below which explains how you can do so.

3. How to disable your Apple ID

Another critical step before returning your iPhone or iPad is to remove your Apple ID from the device. If you don’t proceed with this step, the device will still be locked to your Apple ID even after a factory reset.

Do disable your Apple ID, follow the steps laid out in the video below.

4. How to factory reset your iPhone or iPad

Finally, you will also have to perform a factory reset. You can do so directly through your device, or you can connect it to a PC and perform the reset via iTunes.

Apple has a great video explaining how to proceed with either of this options. However, if you’ve completed all the steps above, we suggest to simply perform the factory reset through your device, rather than a PC.

And that’s it! Your iPhone is now ready to be sent to us.