How to Properly ERASE Your iPhone Before Selling It (2026)
Selling, trading in, or handing down your iPhone? Before you let it leave your hands, you need to erase it the right way. In this step-by-step iOS 26 tutorial, I'll walk you through exactly how to wipe your iPhone so your personal data, photos, passwords, and Apple ID are completely removed — and so the next person doesn't end up with a locked, useless device. We'll cover Stolen Device Protection security delays, signing out of iCloud properly, handling your eSIM, backing up your iPhone to iCloud, Mac Finder, or iTunes on a PC, and that annoying Apple ID password bug that freezes the keyboard during sign-out.
Whether you're erasing an iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 15, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, or even an older iPhone mini, this guide shows you the safest method for iOS 26. If you're running an older version of iOS, I'll link the tutorial for that below. Follow along so your iPhone is factory reset correctly, Find My is disabled, and iCloud activation lock is fully cleared before you sell, trade, or gift your device.
00:00 Why You Need to Erase It the Right Way
00:19 Open the Settings App
00:27 Stolen Device Protection & the 1-Hour Delay
01:41 iOS 26 Erase Options
02:05 Sign Out of iCloud (My Preferred Method)
02:37 What to Do With Your eSIM
03:13 Backing Up to iCloud
03:31 Backup to Mac (Finder) or PC (iTunes)
04:17 Entering Your Apple ID Password
04:59 The Weird Keyboard Freeze Bug
05:35 Wiping the iPhone
06:17 Double-Check iCloud Is Signed Out
06:46 Thanks for Watching
#resetiphone #eraseiphone #wipeiphone
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