A little preparation before you ship does two things: it keeps your personal data off the device, and it keeps your offer from changing at inspection. We factory reset every device again on arrival, but doing it yourself first is the smart move.

Check These Before You Get a Quote

When you request a quote, the one thing you choose is the condition grade. This list is what our inspection looks at, so running through it helps you land on a grade that matches reality. An honest grade means your offer holds instead of being adjusted later, and if the device turns out better than the grade you picked, the offer can go up.

Condition: Look it over for scratches, dents, and blemishes, and let what you find set the grade. This is the single biggest driver of your quote.
Operating system: A genuine, activated copy of Windows or macOS is worth more than one that is not. Our inspection checks this.
Ports and connectivity: Test the USB and video-out ports and confirm Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connect. Faults here weigh on the grade.
Passwords and locks: Remove any BIOS or firmware password before shipping. A locked device blocks inspection and lowers what we can offer.
Display: Check the screen for dead or stuck pixels, discoloration, and scratches. Clean it and peel off any screen protector so nothing hides an issue.
Battery: Confirm it holds a charge and that the charging port is not loose. Weak battery health pulls the grade down.
Charger and adapter: Include the original adapter with no frayed wires. It is the one accessory that changes the offer.
Storage: Leave the original drive installed. A removed or swapped drive lowers the offer.
Memory: Leave the original memory installed. Missing RAM lowers the offer.
Everything else: Test the webcam, speakers, keyboard, and controls. If the device was ever exposed to liquid, grade it Poor, since liquid damage usually goes deeper than it looks.

The steps

Four things to do before it ships

Work through these in order. Skipping the sign-out step is what causes most delays.

1

Back up

Back up anything you want to keep

Once a device is wiped, the data is gone for good, so back up first. Move your files somewhere that is not the device you are selling.

Windows: copy important folders to an external drive or USB stick, or sync them to OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. For a full image, use File History with an external drive under Settings › System › Storage.
Mac: use Time Machine with an external drive, or copy files to iCloud Drive or another cloud service.
Phones and tablets: back up to iCloud or Google One, or copy photos and files to a computer before wiping.

Never back up to the device you are shipping. Keep the backup on separate media, or it leaves with the device.

2

Sign out

Sign out and remove locks

This is the step people forget, and it is the one that causes delays. A device still tied to your account can be unusable to the next owner, which means it comes back to you. Before wiping:

Apple devices: turn off Find My and sign out of your Apple ID. This clears Activation Lock, the iCloud lock that otherwise keeps the device tied to your account.
Windows: sign out of your Microsoft account and disconnect it under Settings › Accounts.
Android: remove your Google account from the device to clear Factory Reset Protection.
BIOS or firmware password: if you set one, remove it.

3

Factory reset

Reset it to factory settings

With your backup done and your accounts signed out, do a factory reset. This removes your files, apps, and settings. We cover every method, including a secure USB wipe and the Mac process, in our dedicated guide.

Read the full step-by-step erase guide ›

4

Pack it up

Gather the charger and accessories

Include the original power adapter, then pack everything well. You do not need the original box: any sturdy box with padding on all sides works, with extra protection around the screen.

Quick pre-shipping checklist

Skip anything that doesn't apply to your device.

Condition graded honestly on your quote
Files backed up to a separate drive or the cloud
Signed out of your Apple ID or Microsoft account
Find My and Activation Lock turned off
BIOS or firmware password removed
Factory reset completed
Original charger included

If It Turns Out to Have No Resale Value

Sometimes a device is too old or too damaged to carry a value. If that happens, please do not throw it in the trash. We put together a full guide on how to revive, repurpose, donate, or responsibly recycle old electronics, or you can contact us and we will help.

Erase your deviceThe full Windows and Mac reset walkthrough. Find your modelIdentify your exact device before you quote it.

What to do before you sell your device