Should you remove a pending erase iPhone

As long as you don’t provide the purchaser your phone’s passcode, your data will be safe.

Removing it from your account is a normal and reasonable request from a purchaser; it will allow him to reset (fully erase) the device and set it up as his own.

Again for emphasis … NEVER reveal your passcode or AppleID password. He does NOT need those.

He’s asking you to do this:

How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support

If you remove the device from your iCloud while the erase command is still pending, it could potentially prevent the device from being erased. This means that your data may still be accessible to the person who bought the phone.

To ensure the security of your data, it's generally recommended to wait until the erase command is completed before removing the device from your iCloud account. Once the erase process is finished, all the data on the device will be permanently deleted, making it inaccessible to anyone.

If the buyer has already fixed the phone and is requesting you to remove the device from your iCloud, it's advisable to communicate with them and explain the situation. You can ask them to ensure that the erase process is completed before removing the device from your iCloud account. This way, you can be more certain that your data is securely erased.

It's important to note that the exact behavior and options available may vary depending on the specific circumstances and device settings. If you have any concerns or questions, it's recommended to reach out to Apple Support for personalized guidance and assistance based on your situation.

If they don’t have your passcode, their data on their device will remain inaccessible to them. (This all became theirs when you sold it.) You can either buy it all back—if the owner is willing to sell it to you—or unlock it for the owner and ask them to reset it.