Remove iCloud and Activation Lock before you sell your Apple device

Activation Lock is Apple's protection against theft. After erasing, the device asks for the previous owner's Apple ID and password. Without them it can't be used. That's why we can't buy or process a device with Activation Lock. If you forget, we first have to contact you, and that delays your payment.

On a Mac (MacBook, iMac, Mac mini)

1. Open System Settings and click General.
2. Scroll all the way down and click Transfer or Reset.
3. Click Erase All Content and Settings.
4. Follow the steps and click Continue until the Mac restarts. During these steps you're also signed out of iCloud and Find My is turned off.

Do you have an older Mac without the "Erase All Content and Settings" option? Sign out of iCloud first via System Settings (or System Preferences) → your name → Sign Out, and then erase the Mac via Recovery Mode. Read how in our article How to wipe a MacBook or iMac before selling it.

On an iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap Find My and turn off Find My iPhone (or iPad).
3. Go back, scroll down and tap Sign Out.
4. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.

Have you already sent the device, does it no longer turn on because of a defect, or did you simply forget? Then you can also remove Activation Lock remotely, from any computer or phone.

1. Go to icloud.com/find and sign in with the Apple ID linked to the device.
2. Click All Devices and choose the device you're selling.
3. Click Erase This Device and confirm. If the device is offline, it will be erased as soon as it connects again.
4. Then click Remove From Account. The device is now unlinked from your Apple ID and Activation Lock is gone.

Important: erasing alone is not enough. As long as the device is listed under Find My in your account, Activation Lock stays active. Removing it via appleid.apple.com doesn't remove Activation Lock either; always use icloud.com/find.

Can't remember your Apple ID password? You can reset it via iforgot.apple.com. If that doesn't work, only Apple Support can remove Activation Lock. They'll ask for proof of purchase of the device. We can't remove Activation Lock for you.

Sign in at icloud.com/find. Is the device no longer listed under All Devices? Then it worked.