How to wipe a MacBook for trade-in with Apple

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For an online Apple Trade In, Apple asks you to back up your MacBook and erase all content and settings before you pack it in the kit Apple sends. Apple says erasing this way also turns off Find My and Activation Lock. On macOS 27 or later, Apple's trade-in steps may instead have you turn on Ready for Repair or Trade In, which keeps Find My on.

Quick answer

Back up, then erase the Mac with Erase All Content and Settings, which Apple says turns off Find My and Activation Lock. Pack only the Mac in Apple's kit, with no case, charger or cables, and get a courier receipt. Apple must receive it within 14 days of your new device arriving. In a store, Apple only asks for an iCloud backup first.

What does Apple ask you to do before sending a MacBook for trade-in?

Apple's page for preparing a Mac laptop for trade-in gives one instruction before you pack: back up your Mac laptop and erase all content and settings, to prepare it for trade-in and to protect your personal information.

  1. Back up, with Time Machine as Apple's erase guide suggests, or transfer your files straight to your new Mac.
  2. Note the serial number if you haven't already. Apple says you need it for an accurate trade-in value. On a Mac, choose Apple menu > About This Mac.
  3. Erase all content and settings. The steps are in how to wipe a MacBook before selling it, which also covers the manual route for Macs that can't use Erase All Content and Settings.
  4. Leave it switched off. When the Mac restarts to the setup assistant after the erase, Apple says that to leave it in an out-of-box state for a trade-in, you don't use the setup assistant. Press and hold the power button until the Mac turns off.

Apple's longer trade-in checklist also lists signing out of iCloud and iMessage, but Apple says that if you can use Erase All Content and Settings, you don't have to complete any of the other steps.

Is it different if you trade in at an Apple Store?

Yes. Apple's trade-in page says that if you trade in at an Apple Store, you only need to back up your data to iCloud before you bring in your device. Its store checklist for a Mac also lists the sign-outs and the erase, under "Save time by following these steps before you take your device to the Apple Store".

Apple's other trade-in rules, such as photo ID in store, are in Apple Trade In for a MacBook.

Do you need to turn off Find My and Activation Lock?

Yes, unless Apple's trade-in steps give you Ready for Repair or Trade In instead (below). Apple's Find My guide says that before you sell, give away or trade in a device, you should remove Activation Lock so the device is no longer associated with your Apple Account. Activation Lock means your Apple Account password or device passcode is needed before anyone can turn off Find My, erase your Mac or reactivate it.

Erase All Content and Settings deals with this. Apple says its Erase Assistant signs you out of Apple services such as iCloud, and turns off Find My and Activation Lock, so the Mac is no longer associated with you. To turn Find My off on its own first, the steps are in Mac Activation Lock, explained.

What is Ready for Repair or Trade In?

It's an Apple option that keeps Find My on during a trade-in instead of turning it off. Apple says you can use it on a device updated to version 27 or later of macOS, and that it keeps the device secure and findable in Find My during eligible repairs or trade-ins.

When you request a trade-in, Apple tells you whether you can use it, and if so you turn it on as part of the preparation steps Apple gives you. You can check in Find My, or at iCloud.com/find, that the trade-in is in progress, and it turns off by itself when the technician marks the trade-in complete. To turn it on from your Mac:

  1. Open the Find My app and select the device.
  2. Under Settings, scroll down to Repair or Trade In, then click Repair or Trade In.
  3. Click Enable, then enter your Apple Account password.

So follow the preparation steps Apple gives you with your trade-in. If they include Ready for Repair or Trade In, that's the route. If they don't, erase the Mac and Find My goes off with it.

Can a locked part stop a trade-in?

Yes. Apple says that if a previously used part, such as a battery, built-in display or Touch ID sensor, is linked to someone else's Apple Account, you can't trade in your device until the part is unlocked. That happens with Repair Assistant or by removing Activation Lock, signed in with the Apple Account linked to the part. Apple says it can't help remove Activation Lock for previously used parts.

On a Mac with Apple silicon and macOS Tahoe 26 or later, Apple also suggests Repair Assistant if the Mac was previously repaired or you're not sure. Apple adds that an Unknown part shown in Parts & Service may affect the trade-in value.

How do you pack and send a MacBook to Apple?

Apple says it either sends you a prepaid trade-in kit or emails you drop-off instructions. The kit has a cardboard box and the return postage label, plus a commercial invoice in some European countries.

  1. Put only the MacBook in the box. Apple says not to include a case, power adapter, cables or other accessories, as they won't be returned.
  2. Trading in more than one device? Use one kit per device, and check that the Quote ID Number on the label matches the one in your confirmation email.
  3. Find the courier's name on the label and book a pick-up or find a drop-off point on their website.
  4. Get a receipt from the courier to confirm you've sent it.

Timing matters. Apple says your estimate is valid for 14 days after you receive your new device, and it needs your trade-in within that time to give you the estimated value.

Where Failshot fits

The old Mac is wiped and on its way. Your password is the first layer. Failshot is the second: second layer device security for your Mac.

While it's on, Failshot photographs whoever unlocks your Mac, then, with Pro, records a 5-second video, and its window tells them the unlock was photographed. With the Mac's built-in camera, the green light comes on. With Pro, turn on alerts and Failshot emails you about an unlock you don't confirm as yours.

Failshot is for macOS 14 or later. Free to download. It's free to use. Pro adds video, email alerts and the encrypted vault, and you can try Pro free for 7 days. The trial is on failshot.app, for the Mac. iPhone, Android and Windows are coming soon.

More questions

Do I need to erase my Mac before trading it in online?

Yes. Apple's instructions for a Mac laptop trade-in say to back up your Mac and erase all content and settings before you send it, to prepare it for trade-in and to protect your personal information.

Can I cancel an Apple trade-in after wiping my Mac?

Apple says you can cancel by keeping the device, as long as you haven't dropped it off or shipped it. The rest of the cancel and revised-value rules are in Apple Trade In for a MacBook.

Should I send the charger with my MacBook trade-in?

No. Apple says not to include anything else in the box, such as a case, power adapter, cables or other accessories, because they won't be returned to you.

What if I forgot to turn off Find My before sending my Mac?

Apple says you can remove Activation Lock at iCloud.com/find or in the Find My app: select the Mac, erase it, then choose Remove This Device. See removing a Mac from your Apple Account.

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