Preparation guide
Getting your Mac ready to sell, step by step.
Ten minutes of prep protects your data, keeps your quote intact, and stops the one mistake that turns a working Mac into parts value. Works for every MacBook, iMac and Mac mini — iPad notes included.
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The steps
Six steps before it leaves your hands
Do them in this order — a couple only work while the machine is still set up as yours.
Note your spec and serial number
Before anything else: Apple menu → About This Mac. Note the model, chip or processor, memory and storage — you'll need them for an accurate quote, and they're much harder to check after the wipe. The serial number is there too (and engraved on the underside of MacBooks).
Back up everything you want to keep
Time Machine to an external drive, or make sure your documents, photos and desktop are synced to iCloud — then spot-check a few files actually made it. Once the Mac is wiped, nothing comes back.
Sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My
Apple menu → System Settings → your name → scroll down → Sign Out. This turns off Find My Mac and releases Activation Lock.
THE step that matters most — a Mac still locked to your Apple ID can only be valued for parts.
Sign out of iMessage and your media accounts
Messages → Settings → iMessage → Sign Out. In the Music and TV apps: Account → Authorisations → Deauthorise This Computer — you only get five authorised machines, so don't leave one behind.
Erase the Mac
Recent Macs (macOS Monterey or later on Apple Silicon or T2 machines): Apple menu → System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings — one guided process that wipes and signs out of everything.
Older Intel Macs: restart holding Cmd + R to enter Recovery, open Disk Utility and erase Macintosh HD, then choose Reinstall macOS. Apple's full walkthrough is here.
Either way, we erase every device again to Data Protection Act standards when it arrives — your wipe protects you in transit; ours certifies it.
Gather what's included
MacBooks: the charger (£35 deducted if missing — except models that shipped without one, like the Neo). iMacs and Mac minis: power lead plus the official Apple keyboard and mouse. The original box isn't required, but it's the best shipping protection there is.
Selling an iPad instead?
The iPad version, in three cards
Same logic, different menus — and one extra check for Cellular models.
Back up & sign out
Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup to back up, then Settings → your name → scroll down → Sign Out — that releases Find My iPad and Activation Lock.
Erase it
Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPad → Erase All Content and Settings. One guided flow — it signs out and wipes in one go on recent iPadOS.
Cellular? Check the lock
A Cellular iPad must be unlocked from its network before sending —
On the day & what-ifs
Packing, collection, and the safety nets
Q.How does collection work?
Once you accept your quote we book an insured DPD collection on your chosen day — couriers run 9:00am–5:30pm and you get a text with the arrival window. For laptops we supply a custom packing case; for desktops the original box is ideal, otherwise a sturdy box with generous padding, and the insurance covers it door to door either way.
Q.The Mac won't boot — I can't do any of these steps. Can I still sell it?
Yes — quote it honestly as faulty (Grade E) and send it as-is. The one thing to still do if you can: remove it from Find My on another device — sign in at icloud.com/find, select the Mac, and choose Remove from Account. We erase everything to Data Protection Act standards on arrival regardless.
Q.I've already wiped it and can't check the spec for the quote.
Use the serial number — enter it at Apple's Check Coverage or EveryMac to identify the exact model, or send it to us and we'll identify it for you.
Q.I've forgotten my Apple ID password and can't sign out.
Reset it at iforgot.apple.com before sending — it's usually a few minutes with your phone number. Don't skip this: a Mac still attached to an Apple ID can only be valued for parts, whatever its condition.
Prepped and ready?
Then your price is one minute away
Guaranteed figure, free insured DPD collection, payment within 48 hours of your device being checked.
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