The big day for the iPhone SE is here, and the new device is a notable upgrade for those who prefer the more traditional iPhone 8-like form-factor. If you’re coming from an older device but want to keep your phone familiar, this is the one for you. But what should you do about that aging phone now that you’re planning to upgrade? Here’s how to and recycle your old iPhone for the latest-and-greatest…
Back up your old iPhone
The first thing you want to do is make sure your iPhone is wholly backed up so that you don’t lose any data. You might already have iCloud backups happening automatically, which generally occurs if your device is connected to power, connected to Wi-Fi, locked, and there’s enough space.
Regardless, it’s a good idea to go in and perform one manually before you trade in your old iPhone just for good measure. To do this, head to Settings on your iPhone tap your name, and then tap iCloud. Tap iCloud Backup and then tap “Back Up Now.”
If you don’t have enough space to perform your backup via iCloud or you’d prefer to back up with iTunes, our Michael Potuck did a comprehensive guide on this process earlier this year. In short, though, it’s just a matter of connecting your device, navigating to it in iTunes, and clicking “Back Up Now.” If you need more help, Michael’s guide is great.
Factory reset your old iPhone
After your device is fully backed up, the next step for trading it in (or recycling it), is to wipe it completely. Once you’re sure that your device and all its data is fully backed up to your iCloud account (or iTunes), head to Settings > General > Reset. There, you’ll find an option to Erase All Content and Settings. You may have to enter your Apple ID and/or device passcode. After that, your device will erase completely.
Should you trade in or sell your old iPhone?
Now that your device is ready, it’s time to decide whether it’s best for you to trade in or sell your old iPhone.
Trading in your device through one of the many services below will be the easiest and quickest, and the amount you’ll get generally won’t be too shabby. With sites like MyPhones Unlimited (which is ), Gazelle, and Apple Trade-In, you’ll generally fill out a form, get a box in the mail, and ship your device. Within a matter of days, you’ll get a check or gift card for the amount owed, and that will be the end of it.
Alternatively, you can put in the work of actually selling the device on an online marketplace like eBay, Craigslist, Swappa, and other sites. We explained in more detail the advantages and disadvantages of these various sites in our full iPhone trade-in guide, so be sure to check that out if you want to go this route. Selling your device yourself will mean slightly more risk and a bit more work, but will certainly pay more.
How much is your old iPhone worth as of April 2020?
If you decide to go the trade-in route, you’re probably wondering what your device is worth. We take a closer look at all the latest trade-in values every month, and here’s a quick sampling of the newly updated latest iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and iPhone X trade-in deals from this month:
Best iPhone trade-in deals for April 2020
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $5 – $60 cash varies (various models) ()
- Apple Trade-In: Up to $80 Apple Gift Card (iPhone 6s)
- Apple Trade-In: Up to $100 Apple Gift Card (iPhone 6s Plus)
- Gazelle: $5-60 cash (various models)
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $70 cash (32GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $80 cash (128GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Apple Trade-In: Up to $120 Apple Gift Card (any capacity, unlocked, good)
- Gazelle: $74 cash (64GB, unlocked, good)
- Gazelle: $82 cash (256GB, unlocked, good)
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $80 cash (32GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $90 cash (128GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Apple Trade-In: Up to $150 Apple Gift Card (any capacity, unlocked, good)
- Gazelle: $74 cash (64GB, unlocked, good)
- Gazelle: $82 cash (256GB, unlocked, good)
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $120 cash (64GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $140 cash (256GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Apple Trade-In: $140 Apple Gift Card (any capacity, unlocked, good)
- Gazelle: $189 cash (64GB, unlocked, good)
- Gazelle: $199 cash (256GB, unlocked, good)
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $140 cash (64GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $160 cash (256GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Apple Trade-In: Up to $250 Apple Gift Card (any capacity, unlocked, good)
- Gazelle: $166 cash (64GB, unlocked, good)
- Gazelle: $179 cash (256GB, unlocked, good)
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $200 cash (64GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via 9to5Mac: $240 cash (256GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Gazelle: $203 cash (64GB, unlocked, good)
- Apple Trade-In: $320 Apple Gift Card (any capacity, unlocked, good)
- Best Buy: $230 (64GB, carrier model, good)
Don’t see your iPhone model here? !
Best Android phone trade-in deals for April 2020
- MyPhones via $40 cash (32GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via $50 cash (128GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Best Buy: $20 (32GB, Verizon, good)
- MyPhones via $50 cash (XL, 32GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via $50 cash (XL, 128GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Best Buy: $20 (32GB, Verizon, good)
- MyPhones via $100 cash (64GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via $110 cash (128GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Gazelle: $34 cash (64GB, unlocked, good)
- Best Buy: $40 (64GB, Verizon, good)
- MyPhones via $100 cash (XL, 64GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via $120 cash (XL, 128GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Gazelle: $32 cash (XL, 64GB, unlocked, good)
- Best Buy: $50 (XL, 64GB, Verizon, good)
- MyPhones via $130 cash (64GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via $150 cash (128GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Gazelle: $110 cash (64GB, unlocked, good)
- Best Buy: $120 (64GB, Verizon, good)
- MyPhones via $150 cash (XL, 64GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via $170 cash (XL, 128GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Gazelle: $111 cash (XL, 64GB, unlocked, good)
- Best Buy: $155 (XL, 64GB, Verizon, good)
- MyPhones via $25 cash (S7, 32GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Gazelle: $53 cash (S7, 32GB, unlocked, good)
- MyPhones via $100 cash (S8, 64GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Gazelle: $93 cash (S8, 64GB, unlocked, good)
- MyPhones via $100 cash (S8+, 64GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Gazelle: $111 cash (S8+, 64GB, unlocked, good)
- MyPhones via $100 cash (S9, 64GB, unlocked, good) ()
- MyPhones via $100 cash (S9, 128GB, unlocked, good) ()
- Gazelle: $102 cash (S9, 64GB, unlocked, good)
Trade in Your iPhone with
has partnered with leaders in the iPhone/iPad/Laptop cash trade-in and repair industries. The easiest way to get cash for your device is to head over to for an instant quote. We chose this partner in particular because of their industry-leading paybacks, rapid payment service, integrity, and reliability. They’ll accept most iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iPod, Apple TV, AirPods, and more — as long as they are relatively recent and in working order, of course.
While does do business, use, and endorse MyPhones Unlimited, the sites are external and we cannot be held liable for your experience with them. We may receive a small commission if you are satisfied with and move forward with your cash trade-in or repair, which is a great way to support the site. We love MyPhones, and we use it ourselves.
Learn more
You can read about your various options for trading in and selling your old iPhone in our full ultimate guide. There, you’ll also find even more options for trading in your device to get the max value possible.
- How to Trade in Your iPhone — The Ultimate Guide
- How to Trade in Your iPad — The Ultimate Guide
- How to Trade in Your Apple Watch — The Ultimate Guide
- How to Trade in Your MacBook — The Ultimate Guide
- How to Trade in Your AirPods — The Ultimate Guide
Author: Stephen Hall.
Source: 9TO5Mac
