Old iPhone 3GS Want to Recycle, But is Totally Dead and Have Not Signed Out of iCloud

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Level 1

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Old iPhone 3GS Want to Recycle, But is Totally Dead and Have Not Signed Out of iCloud

I have an old iPhone 3GS, that I would like to recycle, but I am afraid some of my info is still on it. The battery is completely dead, and is bulging on the sides of the phone.

I never got a chance to sign out of it in iCloud. I have not used it in over a decade. I spoke to my carrier about it, and it is not connected to their network any more.

I tried looking up replacing the battery, but it looks difficult and complicated, and I do not have time for that. I aslo looked into to sending it in for a battery replacement, but it is expensive, and not sure of it is worth it to just be able to sign out of it.

Earlier iPhone models

Posted on Apr 10, 2023 3:41 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Dallen_Frutchey

Level 3

671 points

Apr 10, 2023 3:47 PM in response to sccfromsocal

Hi sccfromsocal,

Apple offers free recycling for all sort of devices. Your data remains safe when you send your device in to Apple and they never would have access to your data. You can set up a trade in either at your local Apple Store or at this website: Apple Trade In - Apple

Thanks for using the Apple Support Community and have a great day!

-Dallen

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Answer 2

sccfromsocal Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 11, 2023 11:36 PM in response to Dallen_Frutchey

Ok, thank you, I just read this;

Devices that contain batteries should be packed in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry best practices, which typically include the guidelines below:

Discharge the unit to less than 30%.
Do not ship electronics that are disassembled into parts.
Do not ship electronics with swollen or damaged batteries.
For whole units, surround the product with at least 2.5 inches of suitable filler material, such as recycled or reused packaging, before placing inside a corrugated box.
Ship only one device per box.

It looks like I will not be able to ship this after all, they will not take a phone with swollen batteries.

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Answer 3

sccfromsocal Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 11, 2023 4:28 PM in response to Dallen_Frutchey

Thanks for that info, but all there is info on is trading in newer iPhones, there is nothing about how I can send my old phone in for recycling.

I have tried calling customer support, but all I get is automated menus to set up a repair.

I found a place online where apple lets you set up a recycle, but among the devices to choose, there was no iPhone option, only an iPod, so I chose that.

What am I supposed to do with an old iPhone with a dead bulging battery?

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Answer 4

Apr 11, 2023 5:17 PM in response to sccfromsocal

First Scroll down and tap/click Smartphone

Then, tap/click Apple, scroll down to the bottom of the options and tap/click Other. Then tap/click Recycle and then fill you shipping address in.

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Answer 5

Apr 12, 2023 1:22 PM in response to sccfromsocal

Oh, sorry, I should have mentioned that. You can take it to an Apple Store though.

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Old iPhone 3GS Want to Recycle, But is Totally Dead and Have Not Signed Out of iCloud

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