Just buy the new phone in total and then after you get it, go down to the Apple Store with both your old and new phone and they know how to take care of it. It's been done millions of times!
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Apple trade in
- Thread starter maxmattia873
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I've traded in twice through the mail. When my phone arrives, I transfer data, reset old phone, then mail in box provided. I've never had any trouble.
I think this depends on where you live. In the US, I believe the policy is you have 14 days post-purchase to get a trade-in applied as a "credit to the purchase" as associated with the original purchase transaction. After that date, they are separate transactions, and it's just like you're "selling" your iPhone back to the Apple store, and you get a gift card as part of the proceeds. Some considerations:
- As others have mentioned, I did this most recently with my iPhone 15 PM (traded-in my prior 13 Pro). Bought the 15 PM using my Apple Card and did the 0% for 24 months payments ("ACMI" or Apple Card Monthly Installments). Took the phone home, did a "phone to phone" transfer from 13 Pro to 15 PM, then a few days later when I knew everything transferred fine, I brought my 13 Pro to an Apple Store, and told them I wanted to do my trade-in and have it "Applied to" to my prior purchase
- Apple says you should have the trade-in credit applied to the same payment method you used to buy the phone, but there is no real requirement. An Apple Genius once gave me the advice that regardless of how you paid for the phone, you should use a debit card associated with your checking account for the trade-in credit, because then, you essentially get cash back to your checking account, vs a refund applied to your credit card
- The downside of applying it to your Apple Card (or any credit card) where it basically counts like a refund, is you would lose the credit card rewards points you got for the amount of the trade-in credit. So if you got it applied to your Apple Card, you basically lose the 3% cashback you received for that amount, as it's effectively treated like a refund
- I'm not sure if this is always the case, but I recall that for iPhone trade-ins, sometimes Apple gives a higher trade-in value for your old iPhone if it's going to be applied to the purchase of a new phone. Versus if it's a separate transaction, where you're basically selling the phone back to Apple, and they give you a gift card. Not sure if this is always the case, but another potential incentive to get them applied to one another, vs treated seperately
- In certain states, if you get the trade-in credit "applied to" the purchase, you also get the sales tax refunded for that amount as well. Alas, not in California where I live. This is similar to in the US, when you buy a car and get a trade-in applied to lower the amount you pay for the new car (and you save the taxes as well)
- As others have mentioned, I did this most recently with my iPhone 15 PM (traded-in my prior 13 Pro). Bought the 15 PM using my Apple Card and did the 0% for 24 months payments ("ACMI" or Apple Card Monthly Installments). Took the phone home, did a "phone to phone" transfer from 13 Pro to 15 PM, then a few days later when I knew everything transferred fine, I brought my 13 Pro to an Apple Store, and told them I wanted to do my trade-in and have it "Applied to" to my prior purchase
- Apple says you should have the trade-in credit applied to the same payment method you used to buy the phone, but there is no real requirement. An Apple Genius once gave me the advice that regardless of how you paid for the phone, you should use a debit card associated with your checking account for the trade-in credit, because then, you essentially get cash back to your checking account, vs a refund applied to your credit card
- The downside of applying it to your Apple Card (or any credit card) where it basically counts like a refund, is you would lose the credit card rewards points you got for the amount of the trade-in credit. So if you got it applied to your Apple Card, you basically lose the 3% cashback you received for that amount, as it's effectively treated like a refund
- I'm not sure if this is always the case, but I recall that for iPhone trade-ins, sometimes Apple gives a higher trade-in value for your old iPhone if it's going to be applied to the purchase of a new phone. Versus if it's a separate transaction, where you're basically selling the phone back to Apple, and they give you a gift card. Not sure if this is always the case, but another potential incentive to get them applied to one another, vs treated seperately
- In certain states, if you get the trade-in credit "applied to" the purchase, you also get the sales tax refunded for that amount as well. Alas, not in California where I live. This is similar to in the US, when you buy a car and get a trade-in applied to lower the amount you pay for the new car (and you save the taxes as well)
If you selected traded in on the order, then yes. If not no. GC
sorry to bump this but I thought I would ask here instead of starting a new thread. I have 2 phones and 1 iPad to trade in for gift card credit. Can I bring them into a store, get the gift cards and leave and use them later? Or do they only do trade ins when you are going to use the credit towards something else in the same trip? Thanks in advance!
Yes. I've done this several times. Just don't cash them in until you are ready to actually use against a purchase because if you cash them into your account, Apple will use any amount instantly toward any of your purchases/subscriptions.
If you are a COSTCO member I would check there. I traded in my iPhone 11 and got the 15+. Ended up getting the same trade in $ and a $100 COSTCO gift card as well. Pretty decent deal. Just had to wait a couple days for the phone to come in the mail. No issues transferring data.
Worth a look.
Worth a look.
Yes, you definitely can. Would mention though, that sometimes, the trade-in price for the iPhone is slightly higher when you're buying something else at same time (Eg. it's a trade-in credit), vs when you're just "selling Apple" the device for a gift card. I'm not sure if it's always that way, but I think especially for iPhones, sometimes Apple gives boosted trade-in prices for old iPhones when they're trying to encourage new iPhone sales... But anyways, you absolutely can just "sell it to Apple" for a gift card to be used at a later date.
Any ideas when Apple will publish trade in values for iPhone 15?? Trying to compare to just selling with tax credit etc??
I suspect it will be after the event on Monday...I think they have the site up so that you can simulate the buying process even though you cannot complete the transaction...if I am recalling correctly...
I predict trade-in values will be low as usual.
Apple stores can & do apply the trade-in value to a qualifying previous purchase payment method - online or in-store.
Hey, quick question...
I have an iPhone 13 PM in good condition and would like to trade in for an iPhone 16 PM. I'm in Canada and never used Apple Trade-In. From what I'm reading, during the launch day, I need to order the 16 PM, select in store, and select the trade-in option ? ,If it says that I need to ship my 13 PM for the trade-in, can I still bring it to the Apple Store?
Thanks for the help
I have an iPhone 13 PM in good condition and would like to trade in for an iPhone 16 PM. I'm in Canada and never used Apple Trade-In. From what I'm reading, during the launch day, I need to order the 16 PM, select in store, and select the trade-in option ? ,If it says that I need to ship my 13 PM for the trade-in, can I still bring it to the Apple Store?
Thanks for the help
I've done mail in trade-in every year for when I upgrade, and I've used it for my iPads, and MacBooks too. Haven't personally had any issues with it, but I completely understand those who are concerned about it.
Yes you can take it physically into an Apple Store. I did that last year when I traded in my 14PM for the 15PM. The trade in was refunded to the method of payment I used to preorder my 15PM. Not sure if Apple will allow a different card.
Yes. But only in-person at their retail locations. I personally would never mail a device to any service for a trade-in.
In-store has always gone smoothly for me. Will be doing the same for the 16 Pro Max.
I know this has been asked before (I'm still confused), but for those in the UK: can I order an iPhone for delivery and then drop off my old phone later, choosing the 'trade-in' option at checkout?
This has been asked before and hopefully someone else who's actually done this can say for sure.
But I *think* the easiest way if you want to pre-order the new iPhone (and want to do in-store trade-in, not mail-in) is to pre-order it with no trade-in. Doesn't matter if you're picking up the new iPhone in-store or for delivery.
Then, within max 2 weeks of receiving the phone (but best to do it asap, eg. in a few days, after you've done a phone-to-phone transfer of all your settings at home), go into an Apple Store, and tell an associate that you want to do a trade-in, and "have it applied to" your recent purchase. If you're picking up the new phone in store, and you don't care about doing phone-to-phone transfer at home, then you say you want to do the trade-in right then, and again, "have it applied to" your purchase.
You will then be able to have it all credited properly, get a refund for the value of the trade-in amount (I mentioned earlier but regardless of how you paid for the phone, you should get the credit to a debit card, as you then keep the credit card points for the full amount, and get the refund as "cash" into your checking acct that the debit card is linked to), and also get the full "trade-in value" for the iPhone (which I believe, especially during new phone releases, is slightly higher than if you're just selling the phone to Apple separate from a purchase).
Now, you *could*, as part of your pre-order, specify on the website that you have a trade-in. My understanding then is that the trade-in has to be done via mail-in per Apple's system, and they'll send you a box to send in your phone (Eg. you can't force an in-store trade-in via the online store). I have read of past situations where even when this was the case, you could go into the store with your phone and do an in-store trade-in. And the Apple associate could cancel out the fact that their system is waiting for it to be mailed in. However, I've also read that some associates said they couldn't process the trade-in in-store, since the system had it coded as being done via mail... Whether they just didn't realize they could, if it needs a manager override, or whatever, there are cases where there were issues. So I think doing it the way I described is the more foolproof way. However, this does mean that temporarily, you will be charged for the full value of the phone, and will get the trade-in credit/refund afterwards.
But I *think* the easiest way if you want to pre-order the new iPhone (and want to do in-store trade-in, not mail-in) is to pre-order it with no trade-in. Doesn't matter if you're picking up the new iPhone in-store or for delivery.
Then, within max 2 weeks of receiving the phone (but best to do it asap, eg. in a few days, after you've done a phone-to-phone transfer of all your settings at home), go into an Apple Store, and tell an associate that you want to do a trade-in, and "have it applied to" your recent purchase. If you're picking up the new phone in store, and you don't care about doing phone-to-phone transfer at home, then you say you want to do the trade-in right then, and again, "have it applied to" your purchase.
You will then be able to have it all credited properly, get a refund for the value of the trade-in amount (I mentioned earlier but regardless of how you paid for the phone, you should get the credit to a debit card, as you then keep the credit card points for the full amount, and get the refund as "cash" into your checking acct that the debit card is linked to), and also get the full "trade-in value" for the iPhone (which I believe, especially during new phone releases, is slightly higher than if you're just selling the phone to Apple separate from a purchase).
Now, you *could*, as part of your pre-order, specify on the website that you have a trade-in. My understanding then is that the trade-in has to be done via mail-in per Apple's system, and they'll send you a box to send in your phone (Eg. you can't force an in-store trade-in via the online store). I have read of past situations where even when this was the case, you could go into the store with your phone and do an in-store trade-in. And the Apple associate could cancel out the fact that their system is waiting for it to be mailed in. However, I've also read that some associates said they couldn't process the trade-in in-store, since the system had it coded as being done via mail... Whether they just didn't realize they could, if it needs a manager override, or whatever, there are cases where there were issues. So I think doing it the way I described is the more foolproof way. However, this does mean that temporarily, you will be charged for the full value of the phone, and will get the trade-in credit/refund afterwards.
Very well stated and factual, Christopher. That's exactly how I do it and hassle free!
Just order the phone on Apple’s website on pre order day and select no trade in. Then on launch day bring your current phone with you when you pick up and they usually do in store trades right there. That’s what I did with my 14 pro max getting the 15 pro max.
Think I'll be buying the iPhone 16 on their 2yr interest free plan, then taking my current iPhone back into the store to see back.
What ID does the Apple Store require for the 2yr plan? Is it the usual passport/driving licence?
What ID does the Apple Store require for the 2yr plan? Is it the usual passport/driving licence?
I have used the Apple trade in for going on 5 years and have always got top dollar for my phone. Never any disappointment or problems.