Apple Trade In and Recycling, Explained
Apple Trade In gives credit or an Apple Gift Card for eligible Apple and Android devices, online or in store, and recycles anything else for free.
By Olivia HarperContributing writer. Policy checked .
On this page
Store policies change. This is a summary in our own words of Apple's US Trade In page and its questions and answers, read on October 26, 2026. The official page is the one that applies; trade-in values change often.
How Apple Trade In works
You answer a few questions about your old device on apple.com or show it to a Specialist in an Apple Store, and Apple gives an estimate. You can put the value toward a new Apple device or take it as an Apple Gift Card. Apple accepts many of its own devices and some from other brands, including Samsung and Google phones. Anything that earns no credit can still be recycled for free.
You must be of legal age to trade in for credit or a gift card, and an in-store trade-in needs a valid photo ID.
Trade-in values Apple lists
Apple shows the top estimate for some recent models. These are maximums; yours depends on model, configuration and condition.
| Device | Estimated value, up to |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro | $1315 |
| iPad Pro | $905 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $885 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | $785 |
| MacBook Air | $705 |
| iPhone 17 or iPhone Air | $585 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | $430 |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | $275 |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | $125 |
Engraving by Apple does not lower the value, but engraving done elsewhere may.
The 14-day rule and how credit arrives
Online, Apple sends a prepaid trade-in kit or drop-off instructions. The old device must reach Apple within 14 days of when you receive the new one, which is how you keep the estimated value. Apple says the whole process usually takes 2 to 3 weeks, and the credit can take 3 to 5 business days to process.
- Paid in full: the credit goes back to your original payment method after Apple checks the device, up to the purchase price. Any extra comes as an Apple Gift Card by email.
- Paid monthly: the estimate comes off the price up front. If the device turns out worse than you described, Apple charges the difference to your card.
- Small balances: if the net price after trade-in falls below $99 for an iPhone, or below $25 for an iPad, Mac or Apple Watch, monthly payment is not offered.
If Apple's inspection finds a different condition, you get a revised offer. You can accept a lower one, or reject it: Apple then cancels the trade-in, returns the old device and charges the original trade-in value back to your card. In a store, the Specialist values the device on the spot, which can differ from an online estimate. To cancel before shipping, keep the device. Returning the new device cancels the trade-in.
Before you hand it over
Back up your data, then erase the device and turn off Find My (Settings, then iCloud, then Find My). Android owners must sign out of their account, or the phone may not qualify.
Free recycling
Apple recycles any Apple device for free, at an Apple Store or by mail, along with batteries, cables, cases, monitors and packaging. When mailing a device, Apple's guidance includes:
- discharge the battery below 30%,
- never ship loose, swollen or damaged batteries, or a device taken apart,
- one device per box, with at least 2.5 inches of padding around it.
Sources
Apple Trade In, Apple. Policy checked October 26, 2026.