If you’re looking to trade in your Apple product — be it a MacBook, iMac, Mac desktop, iPhone, or iPad — you stand to get a pretty good return. Apple’s tech has a reputation on the secondhand market for retaining value long after release. This speaks to build quality but mostly to Apple’s long-lasting software support for its older products. The trend is positive both for buyers, who will end up with a product that could continue to work for years, and sellers, who will make a good percentage of their original purchase price back.
There are plenty of ways of trading in your old Apple products for cash. You can easily net an extra $50 to $100 from a sale if you’ve taken care of your tech, as buyers will pay more for products that look closer to new condition. So it pays to make sure that your hardware is in good shape.
Cleaning your device is an important step in preparing it for sale. How you clean your Apple product will vary depending on what it is you’re selling. You’ll want to apply some screen cleaner to your iPhone, MacBook, iMac, or iPad before listing it for sale. While doing so, take note of any scratches or other defects in the display or the body, and be sure to accurately report them during the selling process, or you’ll probably be met with an unhappy buyer and no sale. Remove any stickers from your tech, and if you have a can of compressed air, clean out any ports and grilles. There’s no reminder more immediate that your device is preowned than forgetting to clean out port gunk.
For macOS desktops like the Mac Pro or Mac mini, it’s a good idea to open it up and gently remove any dust that has accumulated within. This not only helps improve the appearance of the device but also ensures that it is in optimal working condition. Additionally, if you want to add some RAM to sweeten the deal for buyers, this is your chance to do so.
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Before selling or trading in your Apple product, it’s important to detach your services. You want to ensure that your personal information is completely wiped from the device, making it mutually beneficial for both buyer and seller. Make sure you’re completely backed up on iCloud or your preferred backup solution. Sign out of services such as Messages, Find My, and iCloud. Unpair devices such as an Apple Watch and any headsets or earbuds. This ensures that the device is ready for its new owner and that your personal data remains secure.
Performing a factory reset is the next step in preparing your device for sale. This process will erase all of your personal information and return the device to its original settings. The process for initiating a factory reset will vary depending on the product you are dealing with.
For MacBook or macOS desktop:
1. Backup all personal files to your preferred cloud storage service or an external hard drive.
2. Go to System Settings > General.
3. Click on Erase All Content and Settings and follow the directions from there.
For iPhone or iPad:
1. Open the Settings app and navigate to General.
2. Scroll down to Transfer or Reset Phone and select Erase all content and settings.
3. Enter your passcode or Apple ID password if prompted.
For Apple Watch:
Follow the specific instructions on how to reset your Apple Watch to factory settings.
Once your device is properly wiped, you can choose to trade it in or sell it for cash. Apple Trade In is a convenient option that gives you Apple Store credit in exchange for your device. Apple provides an estimate of the value of your device on their site and you can choose to mail it in or trade it in at Apple Stores in the US and Canada.
If you prefer cash or Apple’s offer is not sufficient, there are other platforms where you can sell your Apple hardware. Websites like Flipsy, SellCell, Swappa, and Decluttr offer comparisons from different buy-back sites and provide quotes for your device. You can choose to sell your device through these platforms or explore other options like Best Buy’s trade-in service or selling directly on platforms like Craigslist.
It’s important to research and compare offers to ensure that you get the best value for your device. Additionally, take precautions when meeting with buyers in person by choosing public locations and avoiding deals that seem too good to be true.
In conclusion, trading in your Apple products can be a lucrative option if you’re looking to upgrade or simply make some extra cash. By properly cleaning and preparing your device, performing a factory reset, and exploring different trade-in and selling options, you can maximize the value of your Apple hardware and ensure a smooth transaction.
