Concerned Old iPhone Trade in at Store May Not Have Been Wiped

Question

Level 1

10 points

Concerned Old iPhone Trade in at Store May Not Have Been Wiped

Hello, about 6 months ago I traded in an iPhone 12 for an iPhone 16. The data was transferred in an Apple Store where it took place and I thought it had been wiped but I never checked. Yesterday I did went to Settings->Privacy & Security->Safety Check->Manage Sharing and Access and went through to connected devices. There I saw that the old iPhone12 was still connected. Does this mean it wasn’t actually wiped of old data? If so what steps can I take to either get ahold of the old phone or ensure that it is wiped?

Posted on Nov 27, 2025 1:50 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

90,970 points

Nov 27, 2025 7:24 PM in response to Pr180

Remove the old iPhone from your list of devices.

View and remove your devices that are associated with your Apple Account for purchases - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Phil0124

Level 10

216,932 points

Nov 28, 2025 6:11 AM in response to Pr180

Remove the old iPhone from your device list.

click here ➜ Check your Apple Account device list to find where you’re signed in - Apple Support

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Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

100,149 points

Nov 27, 2025 2:57 PM in response to Pr180

Apple store trade ins are wiped and dismantled for rebuild . Even if they were not, data would be protected by the passcode.

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 10

90,970 points

Nov 28, 2025 7:34 AM in response to Pr180

Pr180 wrote:

I removed it from connected devices in the app when I saw it.

That was the right thing to do.

Wondering if I should have held off rather than doing so instinctually as it may have provided a way to track it down.

No, beside that would be impossible after it is dismantled for refurbishing or recycling.

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Answer 5

LD150

Level 10

100,149 points

Nov 28, 2025 9:13 AM in response to Pr180

Pr180 wrote:

I read around and came across a lot of stories of pre-owned devices not being wiped when received by new buyers. That’s my main concern.

Apple recyclers would not pass them on, and they would be useless if still activated on an Apple account.

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Answer 6

Phil0124

Level 10

216,932 points

Nov 28, 2025 8:10 AM in response to Pr180

And why would you want to track it down?

If it was traded in, then it either was disassembled or refurbished.

Removing it allows it to be erased and reused correctly.

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Answer 7

Pr180 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 27, 2025 5:29 PM in response to LD150

Should specify that I live in the USA in case that matters.

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Answer 8

Kurtosis12

Level 9

76,426 points

Nov 27, 2025 5:31 PM in response to Pr180

No, it doesn't matter.

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Answer 9

Pr180 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 27, 2025 7:04 PM in response to Kurtosis12

Even though it still appeared attached to my account?

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Answer 10

Pr180 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 28, 2025 7:11 AM in response to Phil0124

I removed it from connected devices in the app when I saw it. Wondering if I should have held off rather than doing so instinctually as it may have provided a way to track it down.

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Answer 11

Pr180 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 28, 2025 9:00 AM in response to Phil0124

I read around and came across a lot of stories of pre-owned devices not being wiped when received by new buyers. That’s my main concern.

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Answer 12

Pr180 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 28, 2025 6:06 PM in response to den.thed

The big thing that concerned me was that I called and the automated system listed it as one of two iPhones I “own”. This made me suspicious it may not have been cleared beyond what was already said.

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