How to sell your watch, laptop, tablet, phone, or games console

Key takeaways

• Protect your data first by backing up your files, signing out of accounts and factory resetting your device before selling.
• Shop around to maximise value as prices can vary widely between trade-in services and private sales.
• Condition and timing matter, so clean your device, include accessories where possible and sell sooner rather than later to get the best price.

Old gadgets can be surprisingly valuable, but selling them safely matters just as much as getting a good price.

How to sell your tech: trade-in vs private sale

Where to sell your tech: platforms compared

Here are a selection of sites where you can sell your phone, tablet, smart watch, and more. Shop around to get the best price for your old technology.

What to do before you sell

Back up anything you want to keep

Once you reset a device, it’s difficult (or impossible) to retrieve what was on it. Save photos, documents and logins first.

Sign out of accounts and remove device locks

This is the step most people miss, and it can cause trade-in offers to drop or the device to be rejected.

• Apple (iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch): sign out of your Apple ID and switch off Find My.
• Android phones/tablets/Chromebooks: remove your Google account and disable any device-finding features.
• Consoles: sign out and remove stored payment methods.

Factory reset properly

A factory reset clears your personal data and puts the device back to “new owner ready”. Tip: after resetting, avoid signing back into your account “just to check”, as that can re-enable locks and you’ll need to reset again.

Remove SIMs and memory cards

If the device has them, take out:

• SIM cards (phones and some tablets)
• microSD cards (some phones/tablets/consoles)

Confirm the exact model and spec

This helps you compare like-for-like quotes and avoid listing errors:

• Storage size (e.g. 64GB vs 256GB)
• Wi-Fi only vs cellular (tablets)
• Laptop chip/processor, RAM, storage, screen size
• Console edition (digital vs disc), storage size, controller count
• Watch size and GPS vs cellular
• Phone model, storage and whether it’s unlocked

Clean it and check what’s included

A quick clean and the correct accessories can make a difference to value. Only include what’s required or what you’re happy to part with (e.g. charger, controller, straps).

How to get the best price for your tech

• Sell sooner: tech depreciates quickly once newer models launch.
• Describe condition accurately: incorrect condition can reduce your final payout.
• Compare quotes: even for the same device and condition, trade-in values can differ.
• Keep proof: take photos/video of the device powered on, showing its condition before sending.

Safety tips if you sell privately

• Stick to well-known platforms with seller protections.
• Be wary of unusual payment requests or “courier collection” pressure.
• Use tracked postage and keep receipts.
• Don’t share unnecessary personal information.

How to sell a phone

Smartphones are often one of the most valuable devices you can resell, especially newer models from brands like Apple and Samsung. Even older handsets can still be worth selling rather than leaving them unused in a drawer.

Why preparation matters

Phones store a lot of personal information, from emails and photos to banking apps. If you don’t remove your accounts properly, features like Activation Lock (Apple) or Factory Reset Protection (Android) can stay active, making the phone unusable for the next owner and reducing or voiding trade-in offers.

Get the best price

• Compare multiple quotes from trade-in sites
• Consider private sale for newer or high-demand models
• Include original box and accessories if you have them
• Unlocked phones are typically worth more than network-locked ones

How to sell a tablet (including iPads)

Tablets are popular second-hand items, but they’re also often locked to accounts.

Selling an iPad: key steps

• Switch off Find My iPad and sign out of iCloud
• Factory reset
• Note the model, storage size, and Wi-Fi vs cellular

Money-saving move: check more than one quote for the same condition and spec, offers can vary.

How to sell a smartwatch (including Apple Watch)

Smartwatches can hold value, especially if they’re in good condition and include the charger/strap.

Apple Watch: don’t skip unpairing

Unpair it from your iPhone first as this removes the activation lock, then reset the watch.

How to sell a laptop (including MacBooks)

Laptops are the most sensitive category because they’re likely to contain personal documents, saved passwords and banking details.

Laptop selling checklist

• Back up files
• Sign out of accounts
• Factory reset and (where relevant) reinstall the operating system
• Confirm specs: model year, processor/chip, RAM, storage, screen size
• Check battery health if your device reports it

How to sell a games console

Consoles are usually straightforward to wipe, but don’t forget digital purchases and payment methods.

Console checklist

• Back up saves (if you want them)
• Remove stored cards/payment methods
• Deactivate “primary console” settings if your platform uses them
• Factory reset
• Include essentials: power cable, HDMI (if required), at least one controller

Final tips before you sell your tech

Selling your old tech doesn’t have to be complicated, but a few final checks can make all the difference. Take your time to compare prices, especially if you’re selling a newer or high-value device. A quick check across multiple trade-in sites or marketplaces can mean a noticeably better return.

Make sure your device is fully reset and free of any account locks before you send or hand it over. This not only protects your personal data, but also avoids delays or reduced offers.

Finally, keep a record of your sale. Whether it’s confirmation emails, receipts, or photos of the device before sending, having proof can help if anything goes wrong.

With the right preparation, you can turn unused gadgets into extra cash safely and with minimal hassle.