SELL YOUR
GADGETS

SELL YOURS
£MILLIONS Paid Out

How to remove your device from iCloud

  • Home
  • How to remove your device from iCloud

How to remove your device from iCloud and Turn off Activation Lock

When reselling your Apple device, it’s crucial to remove the device from “Find My” on your iCloud account to ensure the new owner can set it up without issues. This is often referred to as releasing the device from your Apple ID. This is a crucial step which should usually be performed before erasing the device and will turn off the Activation Lock.

Activation Lock is enabled automatically when you set up Find My on your device. It helps keep your device secure, even if it’s lost or stolen, and increases your chances of recovering it. Even if you erase your device remotely, Activation Lock prevents others from reactivating it without your consent. If you plan to sell your device, removing it from Find My will also disable Activation Lock. 

If the device remains linked to your iCloud, features like “Find My” and Activation Lock will stay active, preventing the buyer from accessing the device. Removing it ensures a smooth handover and protects your personal data from being accessible on the sold device. It also enhances the resale value by providing the buyer with a hassle-free setup experience.

You can either remove your device from iCloud on a web browser on iCloud.com or directly from the settings on the device you're selling.

Option 1: Remove Your Device From "Find My" on a Web Browser using iCloud.com
  1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in using the Apple ID your device is associated with.

  2. Click “Find My” which will take you to a page showing a list of your devices under the heading “All Devices”.

    Click "Find My"

  3. Select the device you are planning to remove from your iCloud account, this will expand the options available for the specific device.

  4. Click “Remove from Account.”

     

Activation Lock is then deactivated immediately and the item has been successfully removed from iCloud as part of the preparation for resale, and the device is removed from Find My after 30 days.

Note: If your device connects to the internet after the 30-day period, it will reappear in your Devices list, and Activation Lock will be reactivated if you are still signed in to your iCloud account on the device (for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or Apple Watch) or if it is paired with your iPhone or iPad (for AirPods or Beats products)

Each device type has its own specific instructions within the settings to properly disconnect it from your iCloud account before selling.

Turn off Activation Lock on an iPhone or iPad.

  1. Open Settings:
    On your iPad or iPhone, open the Settings app.

  2. Tap on your Name:
    At the top of the Settings screen, tap your name to access your Apple ID settings.

  3. Select Find My:
    Scroll down and tap Find My.

  4. Turn off Find My iPhone/iPad:
    Tap on Find My iPhone/iPad and toggle it off.

  5. Enter Apple ID Password:
    You’ll be asked to enter your Apple ID password. Enter it and tap Turn Off.

  6. Exit Settings:
    After turning off Find My iPad or Find My iPhone, the Activation Lock will be disabled.

Turn off Activation Lock on a Mac.

  1. Open System Settings:
    • On macOS Ventura or later: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen  and select System Settings
    • On macOS Monterey or earlier: Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
  2. Go to Apple ID:
    • On macOS Ventura or later: In the System Settings sidebar, click Apple ID.
    • On macOS Monterey or earlier: Click on Apple ID in the System Preferences window.
  3. Select iCloud:
    In the Apple ID section, click on iCloud.
  4. Turn off Find My Mac:
    Scroll down and uncheck Find My Mac. You might be prompted to enter your Apple ID password to confirm.
  5. Confirm:
    Follow any additional prompts to complete the process.
  6. Sign Out (if necessary):
    If you’re selling The Mac, you may want to sign out of iCloud entirely. To do this, go back to the Apple ID section and click Overview or Sign Out at the bottom. Follow the prompts to sign out of iCloud.

To turn off Activation Lock on an Apple Watch, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings App:
    On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown to access the app grid or list, and tap the Settings app.
  2. Go to Your Apple ID:
    Tap General, then Apple ID.
  3. Turn Off Find My Apple Watch:
    If Find My Apple Watch is enabled, tap it and turn it off. You might need to enter your Apple ID password to confirm.

Unpair the Watch from your iPhone:

If you are preparing to sell your Apple Watch, you can unpair it from your iPhone.

  1. Open the Apple Watch App:
    On your paired iPhone, open the Watch app.
  2. Go to My Watch:
    Tap My Watch at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Tap All Watches:
    Tap All Watches at the top of the screen.
  4. Select the Watch:
    Tap the i icon next to the Apple Watch you want to unpair.
  5. Unpair Apple Watch:
    Tap Unpair Apple Watch. Confirm the unpairing by entering your Apple ID password if prompted.

In addition to removing your Apple device from “Find My” on iCloud, we recommend erasing all data from the device before shipping it to CashGadget. While CashGadget will conduct a secure software data purge, taking the extra step to remove your data beforehand ensures additional security during transit.