Old phone checklist before selling privately
Use this for a phone you are selling directly to another person. The focus is protecting your accounts and describing the device accurately.
On this list
Test the phone's calls, camera, speakers, buttons, and charging
Back up photos, messages, contacts, and notes
Transfer two-factor authentication codes
Remove payment cards from the mobile wallet
Sign out of Apple Account or Google Account
Turn off Find My iPhone or Find My Device
Unpair smartwatch, earbuds, and Bluetooth accessories
Remove physical SIM card and microSD card
Factory reset the phone
Confirm activation lock is removed
Clean the phone, ports, and camera lenses
Photograph front, back, sides, and any wear
Record storage capacity, model, color, and carrier status
Record IMEI or serial number for your records
Gather original box if available
State exactly which accessories are included
Set a meeting place or shipping method
Keep a copy of the listing and sale receipt
Who this list is for
Selling a phone directly to another person takes more care than a trade-in. This checklist helps you protect accounts, remove your information, and describe the phone honestly before meeting a buyer or shipping it.
How to use this list
Begin by testing calls, camera, speakers, buttons, and charging. Back up photos, messages, contacts, and notes, then transfer two-factor authentication codes. Remove payment cards, sign out of the Apple Account or Google Account, turn off Find My iPhone or Find My Device, and unpair the smartwatch, earbuds, and other Bluetooth accessories.
Common mistakes
Do not factory reset before confirming your backup and authenticator-code transfer. A reset is not enough if activation lock remains active, so confirm it is removed. Never leave a physical SIM card or microSD card in a privately sold phone.
What is on this list
The list includes cleaning the phone, ports, and camera lenses; photographing the front, back, sides, and wear; and recording storage capacity, model, color, carrier status, and IMEI or serial number. Gather the original box if available and state exactly which accessories are included. Cross off what is done.
After the sale
Keep a copy of the listing and sale receipt, along with the IMEI or serial number and condition photos. Use the agreed meeting place or shipping method, and keep those records after the buyer receives the phone.
FAQ
Who is "Old phone checklist before selling privately" for?
Selling a phone directly to another person takes more care than a trade-in. This checklist helps you protect accounts, remove your information, and describe the phone honestly before meeting a buyer or shipping it.
How should I use "Old phone checklist before selling privately"?
Begin by testing calls, camera, speakers, buttons, and charging. Back up photos, messages, contacts, and notes, then transfer two-factor authentication codes. Remove payment cards, sign out of the Apple Account or Google Account, turn off Find My iPhone or Find My Device, and unpair the smartwatch, earbuds, and other Bluetooth accessories.
What should I skip or avoid with "Old phone checklist before selling privately"?
Do not factory reset before confirming your backup and authenticator-code transfer. A reset is not enough if activation lock remains active, so confirm it is removed. Never leave a physical SIM card or microSD card in a privately sold phone.
What is on the "Old phone checklist before selling privately" list?
The list includes cleaning the phone, ports, and camera lenses; photographing the front, back, sides, and wear; and recording storage capacity, model, color, carrier status, and IMEI or serial number. Gather the original box if available and state exactly which accessories are included. Cross off what is done.
What should I know about after the sale?
Keep a copy of the listing and sale receipt, along with the IMEI or serial number and condition photos. Use the agreed meeting place or shipping method, and keep those records after the buyer receives the phone.
Related lists
For general planning only. Valedo does not guarantee this list’s accuracy, completeness, or suitability. Verify information before relying on it. Not a substitute for professional advice or safety training.