How to Remove iCloud Activation Lock Before Selling
Updated June 2026 · 4 min read
Activation Lock ties an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch to your Apple ID. If you sell it without removing the lock, the buyer can't use it — and you won't get paid. Here's how to clear it.
On the device (best)
Go to Settings → [your name] → Sign Out. This disables Find My and removes Activation Lock. Then erase the device via Settings → General → Transfer or Reset.
Remotely, if you already shipped it
On a computer or another device, go to iCloud.com → Find My (or Find Devices), select the device, choose Erase, then Remove from Account. Once removed, Activation Lock is cleared.
Apple Watch and iPad
The same applies: unpair the Watch from the iPhone (which backs it up and removes Activation Lock), and sign out of iCloud on the iPad before erasing.
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