Home > How-To > iPhone > How to recycle old iPhone

How to Recycle Your Old iPhone

Basically, for iPhone users, upgrade their phones every two years is acceptable. Of course, if you joined Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program, you can get a new iPhone every year. So when your iPhone gets old and slow, how to recycle it? It's not wise to just throw it away, which is not environment-friendly. Of course, if you always keep your old iPhone well, you are lucky to sell it to get some cash, or you can get it back to Apple to receive a gift card online or credit toward a new purchase. And this article will guide you how to best recycle your old iPhone.

recycle old iphone


1. The most important thing to do before recycling your old iPhone

First and foremost, before you sell or recycle your old iPhone, backup your personal data and then clear your iPhone. To backup your iPhone, you can simply use iTunes and iCloud or a recommended third-party backup tool. After that, follow the steps below to remove your personal information from your iPhone:

Step 1. Firstly, if you paired an Apple Watch with your iPhone, you need to unpair it.

Step 2. Secondly, if you logged in iCloud and iTunes&App store on your iPhone, simply sign them out:

  • For iOS 10.2 or earlier, tap Settings > iCloud > Sign Out. Tap Sign Out again, then tap Delete from My [device name] and enter your Apple ID password. Similarly, go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > Sign Out.
  • For iOS 10.3 and above, tap Settings > [your name]. Scroll down and tap Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
  • Step 3. Back to Settings, find General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, enter your Apple ID password when asked, and tap Erase iPhone.

    Note: You shouldn't manually delete your contacts, calendars, reminders, documents, photos, or any other iCloud information while you're signed in to iCloud with your Apple ID. This would delete your content from the iCloud servers and any of your devices signed in to iCloud.


    2. Recycle your old iPhone


    Sell your iPhone for cash

    Of course, if your old iPhone is still available and in good conditions, it's worthy to be sold for some cash for your new phone. The price is up to your old iPhone's model and wear. However, no matter you sold it to an recycling programs or other users, please make sure you have removed all data from your old iPhone with the methods showed above.

    Send it back to Apple

    Apple is environmentally conscious and it helps you recycle your devices with its own recycling program. And Apple claims that it's easy to recycle any Apple device online or at an Apple Store, and for qualifying devices, you'll receive a gift card online or credit toward a purchase in the store from Apple. If you don't trust any other recycling programs, you can simply navigate to Apple's recycling page to fill in your iPhone information and get a gift card from Apple for a new Apple device.

    Give it back to your phone carrier or donate it

    Some phone carrier like At&T operates recycling program to allow consumers to recycle old devices and accessories regardless of the manufacturer or carrier, so you can simply check if your phone carrier has a recycling program for old devices.

    Besides, if you aren't looking to trade in your device, you might look at charitable donations, some local service organizations and non-profits such as schools, churches are for your option. You might need to take small fees to get your device recycled, but the most important thing is that your old device is going to a good use.

    All our best tips for recycling your old iPhone have been introduced, do you have any good options or any expriences to recycle an old iPhone, share them in the comment!


    Related Articles & Tips