YOU can knock hundreds off the price of a new iPhone by trading in your old one – and you don’t even need to go to the Apple Store.
There’s an online version of Apple’s Trade In program, and you can get up to £645 off the price of a new model.
You can still go into the Apple Store if you prefer, but you might find it easier to do it online.
HOW DOES APPLE ONLINE TRADE-IN WORK?
First you’ll want to get an iPhone trade-in estimate by going to Apple’s Trade-In page on the official website.
Then you can choose a new Apple product (the iPhone 16 is currently the latest model) and add your trade-in device.
Check out and you’ll get a trade-in confirmation email.
This will explain how to back up your personal data and get your old device ready for sending in.
You’ll then receive instructions on how to return your device.
Apple will send you a mail-in kit so you can return your phone without actually having to go to an Apple Store.
If you don’t want to swap for a new device immediately, you can also trade in for an Apple gift card that can be used at any point.
Apple says online trade-in usually takes about two to three weeks.
“Your trade-in device needs to be sent to us within 14 days of receiving your new device,” Apple explains.
“The sooner we receive your trade-in, the sooner we can verify its condition and process your credit or gift card.
“It may take 3–5 business days for your credit to be processed.”
You can also get an estimate online and then go to trade in at the Apple Store.
If you do it in store, an Apple specialist will value your device on the spot.
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This might end up being different from your online estimate depending on the condition of your device.
Similarly, if you go for an online trade-in, you might get a revised trade-in value offer.
“If the condition of your device is different from what you described, we’ll provide a revised value,” Apple explains.
“If the revised value is lower than the initial estimate, you can either accept or reject it.
“If you accept it, we’ll continue with the trade-in. If you paid monthly and received an instant credit, we’ll charge the difference in value to the provided payment method.
“If you paid in full, the revised amount will be credited to your original payment method (or in some cases, via bank transfer). If you reject it, we’ll cancel the trade-in and return your old device.”
There’s a chance that the revised value might be even more than you were originally offered however.
If that’s the case, you’ll automatically get an increase to your trade-in credit.
GET YOUR OLD IPHONE READY FOR TRADE-IN
Here are Apple’s official instructions for removing your personal info from your old iPhone…
- If you paired an Apple Watch with your iPhone, unpair your Apple Watch.
- Back up your device.
- If you’ve purchased an AppleCare plan for your device, cancel your AppleCare plan.
- Sign out of iCloud and the iTunes & App Store.
- If you’re using iOS 10.3 or later, tap Settings > [your name]. Scroll down and tap Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off.
- If you’re using iOS 10.2 or earlier, tap Settings > iCloud > Sign Out. Tap Sign Out again, then tap Delete from My [device] and enter your Apple ID password. Then go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > Sign Out.
- If you’re switching to a non-Apple phone, deregister iMessage.
- If in-store trade-in is available in your country or region and you’re trading in at an Apple Store, stop here, do not erase your device and visit your nearest Apple Store to pick up your new device. After a Specialist has completed your trade-in, they’ll work through the remaining steps with you in the store. If you’re completing your trade-in online, continue to step 7.
- Go back to Settings and tap General > Transfer or Reset [device] > Erase All Content and Settings. If you’ve turned on Find My [device], you may need to enter your Apple ID and password. If your device uses eSIM, choose the option to erase your device and the eSIM profile when asked.
- If asked for your device passcode or Restrictions passcode, enter it. Then tap Erase [device].
- Contact your network provider for help transferring service to a new owner. If you’re not using a SIM card with your device, you can contact them to get help transferring service to the new owner.
- Remove your old device from your list of trusted devices.
HOW MUCH WILL I GET FOR MY IPHONE?
It’s difficult to say exactly how much you’ll get because it can depend on the condition of your iPhone.
But Apple does provide a list of iPhone models and their estimated trade-in values.
Here’s the full list for Apple’s UK Trade-In program:
- iPhone 15 Pro Max – Up to £645
- iPhone 15 Pro – Up to £555
- iPhone 15 Plus – Up to £420
- iPhone 15 – Up to £415
- iPhone 14 Pro Max – Up to £575
- iPhone 14 Pro – Up to £470
- iPhone 14 Plus – Up to £335
- iPhone 14 – Up to £330
- iPhone SE (3rd generation) – Up to £115
- iPhone 13 Pro Max – Up to £390
- iPhone 13 Pro – Up to £330
- iPhone 13 – Up to £260
- iPhone 13 mini – Up to £220
- iPhone 12 Pro Max – Up to £275
- iPhone 12 Pro – Up to £215
- iPhone 12 – Up to £180
- iPhone 12 mini – Up to £135
- iPhone SE (2nd generation) – Up to £65
- iPhone 11 Pro Max – Up to £170
- iPhone 11 Pro – Up to £145
- iPhone 11 – Up to £115
- iPhone XS Max – Up to £110
- iPhone XS – Up to £80
- iPhone XR – Up to £100
- iPhone X – Up to £60
- iPhone 8 Plus – Up to £55
- iPhone 8 – Up to £40
- iPhone 7 Plus – Up to £45
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If it turns out that your device isn’t eligible for any trade-in credit, Apple will offer to recycle it for free.
Or you can hang on to it and sell it yourself somewhere else.
