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How do I remove an iCloud account from my Apple device?

Updated this week

To sell or trade in your Apple device with The BuyBack Platform, Find My iPhone must be turned off. This disables Apple’s Activation Lock and removes the device from your Apple ID. If Activation Lock is still active, we will not be able to test, process, or pay for the device.


Why This Step Is Required

Find My iPhone is automatically enabled when you sign into your Apple ID on a device running iOS 7 or later. This activates Apple’s security feature called Activation Lock, which prevents anyone else from using the device without your credentials.

We cannot accept any device that is still linked to an Apple ID, even if it has been factory reset. Be sure to turn off Find My iPhone before sending in your device.


Instructions for Removing iCloud and Turning Off Find My iPhone

If You Still Have the Device in Hand:

For iOS 10.3 and Later:

  1. Open Settings

  2. Tap your name at the top

  3. Tap iCloud

  4. Scroll down and tap Sign Out

  5. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off

  6. Return to Settings

  7. Tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings

  8. Confirm the erasure process and complete the steps on screen

For iOS 10.2 and Earlier:

  1. Go to Settings

  2. Tap iCloud

  3. Scroll down and tap Sign Out, then tap again to confirm

  4. Tap Delete from My iPhone and enter your Apple ID password

  5. Return to Settings

  6. Tap General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings

This process will:

  • Remove the device from your iCloud account

  • Turn off Find My iPhone

  • Erase all personal data and settings from the device


If You No Longer Have the Device or It Won’t Power On:

You can still remove the device from your iCloud account using another device or a computer:

  1. Sign in to your iCloud account

  2. Open Find My iPhone

  3. Select All Devices

  4. Choose the device you want to remove

  5. If needed, select Erase [Device]

  6. After the erase is complete, select Remove from Account

Once the device has been erased and removed from your account, Activation Lock will be turned off.


After You Complete These Steps

Your device will be fully unlocked and ready for resale. This ensures we can quickly inspect and process your trade-in without delay.

If you have any questions about the process or run into trouble, please reach out to our support team. We're here to help.

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