What to do with an old iPad: sell it, trade it in or recycle it

An iPad that sits in a drawer is wasted money and a small privacy risk. It still holds your messages, photos and saved passwords until you erase it. The good news is that you have four sensible options, and the steps to prepare the iPad are nearly the same for all of them. This guide compares the options, then shows the order to follow so nothing important is lost.

What are your options for an old iPad?

Here is how the four main routes compare. The facts about Apple Trade In and recycling come from Apple's own pages. The remarks about selling to other buyers are general advice.

Should you trade in, sell or keep it?

Start with two questions. Does the iPad still turn on and hold a charge? And are you buying something new from Apple soon? If both answers are yes, a trade-in is the least effort. Apple sends a prepaid kit or gives drop-off instructions, so you do not have to find a buyer.

If the iPad is in excellent shape and you are not in a hurry, selling it privately usually earns more than a trade-in, though that is general experience and not a promise. Check what similar models are listed for before you set a price. If the screen is cracked or the battery is weak, a trade-in or recycling is simpler than explaining the flaws to a stranger.

Before you decide, it is worth asking whether you need to replace it at all. A slow iPad often just needs space. Our guide to fixing a full iCloud and the advice on an iPad that keeps restarting may save you a purchase.

How does Apple Trade In work for an iPad?

Apple's trade-in page describes the steps. It does not list iPad models or prices, so you need an estimate for your own device.

If you pay in full for the new iPad, Apple says the credit goes back to your original payment method, up to the purchase price. If the trade-in is worth more than the new device, you get an Apple Gift Card by email for the difference. You can also trade in for a gift card instead of purchase credit.

What happens if the condition is different from your description?

Apple says the value depends on the device, the model and its condition. If the iPad does not match what you described, Apple offers a revised value. You can accept or reject a lower offer. A higher revised value raises your credit. For more on this, read why an Apple trade-in value can come in lower than quoted.

How to prepare an old iPad before it leaves your hands

This is the part people skip, and it is the part that matters. Apple's page for selling, giving away or trading in an iPad gives the order below. The sign-out step depends on your software version, so check which one you have.

Do not delete things by hand while signed in

Apple warns against removing contacts, calendars, reminders, documents or photos one by one while you are still signed in to iCloud. Doing that also removes them from iCloud and from every device signed in to your account. Erasing the iPad does not delete your content from iCloud, so use Erase All Content and Settings and leave the cleanup alone.

If you sell an iPad that has an eSIM, Apple says to choose to erase the device and the eSIM profile when asked. If the iPad does not use a SIM card, you contact your carrier to move service to the new owner. If you want more on how a reset works, see our guide to resetting an iPad to factory settings.

How to recycle an old iPad for free

If your iPad does not qualify for trade-in credit, Apple recycles it for free. Apple's recycling page says this applies to any Apple device, no matter the model or condition, at an Apple Store or through apple.com. You can include batteries, cables, cases and other accessories.

Erase the iPad first, because you will not get it back. If you mail it, Apple's guidance includes these rules:

• Do not ship a loose battery, or a device that has been taken apart.
• Drain the battery to below 30%.
• Do not ship a device with a swollen, damaged or defective battery.
• Surround the device with at least 2.5 inches of filler inside a corrugated box.
• Put only one device in each box.

Apple's page does not say whether a prepaid label comes with a recycling-only mailing, so check the current instructions when you start. A swollen battery is a safety problem. If the iPad's case is bulging, stop using it and take it to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider instead of mailing it.

What if you want to give it to a family member?

The same steps apply. Do not hand over an iPad that is still signed in to your account. Erase it, then let the new owner set it up with their own Apple Account. If the iPad is for a child, you can set up parental controls during that setup, and our guide to Screen Time settings explains what to change later.

What if you no longer have the iPad?

Sometimes the iPad is already gone. Apple gives a short list for this case:

• Ask the new owner to erase all content and settings using the steps above.
• If the iPad is lost or stolen, erase it using Find Devices on iCloud.com.
• Remove the iPad from your trusted devices.
• Change your Apple Account password and turn on two-factor authentication. Apple says this does not erase data on the iPad, but it stops the new owner from deleting your information from iCloud.
• Cancel or transfer any AppleCare plan.

Is it better to keep an old iPad?

Sometimes yes. An older iPad still works well as a reading screen, a kitchen display, a camera monitor or a dedicated video player. If it is slow, check whether it simply needs a restart or more free space before you give up on it. If you keep it, update it as far as it can go, and do not leave it signed in with your main account if someone else will use it.

One more point is practical. If the iPad is your only copy of some photos, check that they are saved in iCloud or on another device before you do anything. Erasing is permanent, and there is no undo.

Where to go next

When you have prepared and sent the iPad, the next question is usually what to buy. If you are leaning toward a phone upgrade too, our guide on selling an iPhone uses the same preparation steps, and trading in a phone compares the options for other brands.