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If you think of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or MacBook as sunk money that can't be recovered, then you're thinking about it all wrong. Not only are your Apple devices useful and enjoyable parts of your everyday life, but they are often viable financial assets, too.
With Apple's trade-in program, you can swap an older device to cover part of the cost of a new product or you can even turn your old iPhone, iPad, or other piece of hardware into an Apple gift card.
You can do an Apple trade-in online or in person at an Apple store.
Is Apple Trade In a good idea?
Apple Trade In is a relatively hassle-free process, whether done in person at an Apple store or online. In the latter case, Apple will send you pre-paid mailing materials so you can package your device and send it on its way.
If you are actively planning to buy a new Apple product or happy to have store credit with Apple, by all means, pursue a trade-in.
That said, there are a few drawbacks to consider. For example, there is no way to get cash via Apple Trade In, whereas selling your used device on eBay, Craigslist, or another platform can net you money instead of store credit.
If you're mailing your device, there's always a chance it could be lost. Once a piece of hardware does arrive safely, the trade-in process can take up to three weeks.
How much money do you get from an Apple trade-in?
The amount of money you get for a given Apple device varies depending on the age and condition of the product. Online, you answer a few questions about the condition before getting a price estimate. Once the Apple techs have your hardware in hand, they verify its condition and determine the final amount.
Below, see how much you could get back in credit at the upper end for devices in great condition.
iPhone trade-in
iPhone 14 Pro Max: $650
iPhone 13 Pro Max: $580
iPhone 12 Pro Max: $450
iPhone 11 Pro Max: $300
iPhone X: $120
iPhone 8: $60
iPhone 7: $40
Apple Watch trade-in
Apple Watch Ultra: $425
Apple Watch Series 8: $190
Apple Watch Series 4: $60
iPad trade-in
iPad Pro: $580
iPad Air: $325
Classic iPad: $260
iPad Mini: $260
Mac trade-in
MacBook Pro: $1,070
MacBook Air: $570
iMac: $460
Mac Pro: $1,000
Mac Studio: $1,360
Can you walk into Apple for a trade-in?
Yes, you can. There is no appointment necessary. It's a good idea to have backed up your device before you go to the store.
If you know how to factory reset the hardware, doing so helps ensure your privacy. You can also ask an Apple employee at the store to help clear your phone, tablet, or computer of all data before you turn it in.
How does Apple pay you for a trade-in?
Apple pays you for a traded-in device in one of two ways. You can deduct the trade-in value from the price of a new product you are buying, giving you instant savings. Or Apple can apply the credit to your Apple account to be used on a future purchase — or toward your bill if you have any monthly subscriptions with the company.
What happens if an Apple trade-in is rejected?
If a trade-in is rejected in the store based on a device's condition or age, then you have two simple choices: keep the device and leave or leave it with Apple anyway, knowing the company will recycle your device responsibly.
If a trade-in is rejected after you have shipped your device to Apple, you can again just let it go, knowing Apple will recycle it, or you can have it shipped back to you.
Can I trade my iPhone 14 for a 15?
While you can't directly trade an iPhone 14 in for a 15, you can get a significant portion of the new iPhone 15's price shaved off. An iPhone 14 Pro Max can be worth up to $650 in trade-in value, while a 14 Pro can go for $570, a 14 Plus for $470, and a 14 for $430. The trade-in value would be deducted from the cost of the iPhone 15.
What can I trade for an iPhone 15?
At last check, an iPhone 15 Plus costs $899, while the iPhone 15 costs $799. (Adding more GB of storage space ups the cost, with a 512 GB 15 Plus costing $1,199.)
Based on those prices, only a few Apple computers have a high enough potential trade-in value to cover the entire cost of a new iPhone 15 with just one item. Every dollar off helps, though.