How to Sell Used Apple Products That Apple Trade In Won’t Accept

What to Know

• Learn how to use Apple Trade In to sell your old iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and more.
• Learn where to sell your device if it's too old for Apple to accept.
• We'll show you how to wipe your iPhone or other device before trading in or selling it.

The Apple Trade In Program offers store credit in exchange for most used iPhones, iPads, Apple computers, and Apple Watches, but for some Apple products, the company's only option is to have them recycled. In this article, we'll cover what devices Apple won't accept in trade, how to prepare your device to sell, and how to sell your device to a third-party service or private party.

Devices Accepted by Apple Trade In

Want to sell an iPad or iPhone, sell an iMac, or another Apple device? Apple will accept any of the following devices for its trade-in program. The credit you receive will be based on several factors and will be issued as an Apple gift card, usable like store credit. Devices eligible for Apple Trade In include:

• iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and newer
• iPad mini, iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro
• Mac mini, Mac Pro
• iMac, iMac Pro
• MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro
• Apple Watch Series 3, Apple Watch SE, and newer
• OnePlus 11 and newer
• Google Pixel 6 and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Note10 and newer
• Samsung Galaxy S20, and newer

Apple maintains this list of eligible devices for Apple Trade In on its site if you need further clarification. Otherwise, if you know your model isn't eligible for Apple Trade In, keep reading to learn about other options.

Devices the Apple Trade In Program Won't Accept

If the device is not on the list above, it's not eligible for Apple Trade In. The list below expands on that a bit by naming some items that users commonly ask about, but which are also not accepted for trade-in credit by Apple.

• AirPods
• Apple TV
• Cases & Protection
• Displays
• Hard Drives & Storage
• Headphones & Speakers
• HomePod
• iPods
• Mice & Keyboards
• Networking Devices
• Power Cords & Cables
• Printers & Scanners

If you are interested in selling old Apple products (or are just unhappy with the values offered by Apple Trade In), I'd recommend reading the following sections for the best sites and suggestions on how to sell your used Apple device.

What to Do before You Trade In or Sell Apple Products (Important!)

Before you sell Apple products, including your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device, it's really important to go through a series of steps to not only remove your personal data, but also to get the device reset so that a new owner can use it. If certain steps are not performed, you could accidentally cause serious functionality issues, which could, in turn, leave your buyer unhappy with their purchase. But as long as you follow the steps to prepare your iPhone or another device to sell, you should have no problems!

Option 1: Trade In Old Apple Products to a 3rd-Party Service

If you want to trade in your Apple device to a third-party service, you'll want to begin by doing some quick research. There are a lot of sites willing to offer cash for your used Apple product, and some offers are much better than others.

For example, while you cannot trade in AirPods with Apple, the Amazon trade-in program will offer store credit for the devices listed above, but the offers tend to be a bit low. In contrast, BuyBackWorld will pay $40 for a pair of AirPods 4 in excellent condition. However, BuyBackWorld is only a good deal if your device is in good or excellent condition, as cash quotes will drop to almost nothing for damaged items. Similarly, Swappa is an option for used devices in peak condition, and currently offers $33 for AirPods 4 in great condition.

If you want to sell broken AirPods or another device with heavy wear and tear, your best options are likely GoRoostr or SellYourMac. These sites will accept used Apple products even if they are broken, have spill damage, or are heavily dented or scratched. Quotes are available online after a series of questions about the model you're selling and its condition.

Once you've found a third-party website and an offer you are comfortable with, the process is usually pretty simple. Each program has its own process, but you can expect that you'll need to package up the device and send it with a shipping label provided by the buying service.

Once your device has been received and evaluated, your third-party service will either send payment or contact you with an updated quote. An updated quote typically happens if your device doesn't meet specifications, like if the condition is not as good as described. At this point, you can either accept or reject the updated offer. In case this happens, it's important to check whether the buying company will cover the cost of return shipping, as shipping may cost more to get your device back than you could get for selling it!

Option 2: Sell Your Device to a Private Party

If you're willing to do a little extra work to post and manage a listing, you can sell used Apple products to a private party via Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay. The benefit of selling through these websites is that you can potentially sell at a higher price or have multiple offers that raise the amount you sell your product for. Selling to a private party can potentially be the most lucrative option, but the downside is that you run the risk of being contacted by a shady customer. If you sell your device through these websites, just be smart and play it safe.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, how and where you sell your device is your decision, and it is important to do so in a manner that is comfortable to you. Facebook Marketplace has continued to grow in popularity, and can be a rewarding way to sell your device locally. If you simply don't have a lot of spare time, I would recommend trading in your device through a third-party service. While you might make slightly less, it is the simplest option, and you avoid having to evaluate buyers and manage a listing.

If you can't sell your Apple device, and you're wondering where to dispose of old cell phones and other devices, the Apple Recycling Program will responsibly dispose of your device. If purchasing a new phone has you curious about the differences between all iPhone models, check out our article covering the evolution of the iPhone. Also, be sure to check out our free Tip of the Day for more great Apple device tutorials.