Tips to sell your old Mac for the best price

Macs generally hold their value better than most other computers. If you're upgrading and your old Mac is still going strong, you can sell it to get the money for a new one. Here are the steps to help you get the best price.

Keep box and accessories

The psychology of buying used goods is that they always want the product to look as new and 'original' as possible. Therefore, keeping the full box and accessories is extremely important - it makes your Mac look newer and more cherished by the previous owner. Plus, it makes packing easier.

The extras in the box also add value:

1. Original chargers and cables are always preferred over replacements.
2. Stickers are extremely valuable, especially now that Apple no longer includes them with new Macs.
3. Even keep the warranty card and manual

Clean thoroughly

Clean your Mac thoroughly before selling it:

1. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your MacBook/iMac screen
2. Cleaning the case: Apple recommends using a 70% isopropyl or 75% ethyl alcohol wipe if needed, but a damp (not wet) lint-free cloth is sufficient.
3. Blow out dust from the connection ports

With MacBook keyboards, you can simply wipe them off with a damp cloth, but don't try to rub the shiny marks on the keys – they're not caused by matte oil, but by the matte coating wearing away, which can't be fixed.

Practical Tip : Many people think that their MacBook speaker holes are clogged with dust – in fact, many of the 'holes' are just decorative! In general, you should leave them as they are.

Also, don't forget to clean the charging cable – it can easily turn black over time.

Check for damage

Being honest about the condition of your device will help you sell it faster and for a better price:

1. Check carefully for scratches, dents or other defects.
2. Of course, a "genuine" machine will sell for a higher price.

In addition to checking the appearance, test the hardware with the Apple Diagnostics tool. For Macs using Apple Silicon chips: Restart + hold the power button → When you see the Startup Options menu, release the button and hold Command + D.

1. Detailed instructions from Apple

Prepare software

Before selling, you'll need to reset your device. Update to the latest version of macOS: Go to System Settings > General > Software Update .

Delete all data:

1. Apple Silicon Mac + macOS Monterey or later: Go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings , and follow the instructions.
2. Old Mac: Sign out of Apple ID + follow Apple's instructions . If you forget this step, the buyer cannot use the machine!

Important Note : For Macs issued by your company/school (with MDM - Mobile Device Management installed), you must ask the administrator to remove it before selling!

Confirm all encryption has been removed

After resetting the device, clearly advertise that you have removed the Apple ID + activation lock (MDM). This will not increase the price of the device, but it will help the buyer to avoid future problems.

Check AppleCare+

If your AppleCare+ warranty is still valid:

1. One-time (not monthly) payments are usually transferable to the buyer
2. You can add this value when pricing.
3. Confirm transferability at Apple Support

Additionally, to get the best price for your old Mac, you should also do the following:

1. Check out Apple's trade-in programs:
2. See refurbished Mac prices on the Apple Store
3. Surf the internet, Facebook Marketplace to see how much other people are offering
4. Set the selling price higher than the purchase price, lower than the refurbishment price – this is the "sweetest" price range!

Good luck selling your old machine for the best price!

Kareem Winters

Update 24 June 2025