Device Prep & Activation Lock Removal

An activation-locked or account-tied device can't be resold and may be declined at the meetup. Prepping your device protects your data, speeds up the inspection, and locks in your quote. Most steps take under 10 minutes.

Once we erase the device, your data is gone. Back up everything you want to keep first.

iPhone / iPad

• iCloud Backup: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.
• Or back up to a Mac or PC with the Finder / Apple Devices / iTunes app.
• Confirm the backup completed before erasing.

Mac

• Use Time Machine to an external drive, or copy your Documents, Photos, and Library folders manually.
• Export browser bookmarks and sign out of any software licenses you want to reuse.

Android

• Google One or Settings > Google > Backup > Back up now.
• Copy photos and files to Google Drive, a USB drive, or a computer.

Signing out removes your account tie so the next owner can activate it. Skip this and the device stays locked to you.

• iPhone/iPad/Mac: Settings/System Settings > [your name] > Sign Out (enter your Apple ID password to remove Find My).
• Android: Settings > Accounts > remove your Google and Samsung accounts.
• Sign out of messaging apps, banking, and email, then remove your lock-screen PIN/passcode if you can't leave it for the buyer.

Find My must be off or the device stays activation-locked. On iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed into your Apple ID:

• Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone/iPad/Mac > turn Off.
• Enter your Apple ID password when prompted — this is what releases the activation lock.
• If you've already signed out in Step 2, Find My turns off automatically.

If you no longer have the device in hand (or it won't boot), remove the activation lock remotely so the next owner can set it up:

• Go to icloud.com/find and sign in with your Apple ID.
• Select the device > Erase This Device, then Remove from Account.
• Removing it from your account is what fully releases the lock — erasing alone is not enough.

For Android, removing the Google account in Step 2 clears Factory Reset Protection (see Step 6).

Wipe the device so none of your personal data remains. We inspect this at the meetup.

• iPhone/iPad: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
• Mac: System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings (Apple Silicon), or Disk Utility > Erase Disk (Intel).
• Android: Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
• Cameras: format the internal memory and any SD cards. Drones: factory reset in the app and unlink from your account.

Android's Factory Reset Protection re-locks a device to your Google account unless you remove the account before resetting. If you factory-reset without removing the account, the next person can't get past the "verify your account" screen without your password.

• Before resetting: Settings > Passwords & accounts > remove your Google account(s) and any Samsung account.
• Disable any Reactivation Lock or Smart Lock features in security settings.
• If you already reset without removing the account, sign back in with the same Google credentials and remove the account properly, then reset again.

Remove your SIM or transfer your eSIM before we meet so your number and plan move with you.

• Physically eject the SIM tray and take the SIM card with you.
• For eSIM: transfer or delete the eSIM in Settings > Cellular > your line, or from your carrier app.
• If the phone is carrier-locked (still on a financed plan), tell us up front — financed devices may be declined or priced lower.
• Unlocked, fully paid-off devices command the best offers.

• Remove cases, pop-sockets, and stickers — residue lowers the cosmetic grade.
• Eject and remove any microSD or memory cards from cameras, drones, and phones.
• Bring original chargers, boxes, or cases if you have them — complete kits can raise the offer.
• Clean the screen and lenses with a dry microfiber cloth.

A valid government-issued photo ID is required at the meetup, per Massachusetts secondhand dealer law. See our Device Ownership & Anti-Theft Verification Policy for what we record and why.

Not sure how to remove an activation lock or which steps apply to your device? Call us at 508-571-0410 or email us at hello@eliteonlineservice.com and we'll walk you through it before the meetup — no charge, no obligation.