Will Apple send a "kit" for my iPhone trade in like they do for iPad?

They do (and I've done it). Also see the following from Apple Trade In - Apple

What if I’m not ready to buy something?

No problem. We can put the value of your current device on a gift card that you can use anytime. Get an estimate through the trade-in tool and choose the Apple Gift Card option.

FoxFifth wrote:

They do (and I've done it). Also see the following from Apple Trade In - Apple

What if I’m not ready to buy something?

No problem. We can put the value of your current device on a gift card that you can use anytime. Get an estimate through the trade-in tool and choose the Apple Gift Card option.

Maybe I wasn't specific enough. I know you can walk into an Apple Store, hand them a device and assuming it has value, walk out with a gift card. What I don't think you can do is mail in a device to Apple and have Apple send you a gift card. This is the issue for the Author. They said they have no Apple Store near them so they want to mail in the phone and get an Apple Gift Card in return.

lobsterghost1 wro

Maybe I wasn't specific enough. I know you can walk into an Apple Store, hand them a device and assuming it has value, walk out with a gift card. What I don't think you can do is mail in a device to Apple and have Apple send you a gift card. This is the issue for the Author. They said they have no Apple Store near them so they want to mail in the phone and get an Apple Gift Card in return.

Sorry, I didn't understand that.

When I returned for a gift card I did it via FedEx as stated in my original reply. The quote from Apple Trade In - Apple in my second reply also doesn't restrict it to store or online return.

It wasn't actually a plastic card but was sent via email (same as you would get if you chose the email option at Buy Apple Gift Cards - Apple ).

FoxFifth wrote:

lobsterghost1 wro

Maybe I wasn't specific enough. I know you can walk into an Apple Store, hand them a device and assuming it has value, walk out with a gift card. What I don't think you can do is mail in a device to Apple and have Apple send you a gift card. This is the issue for the Author. They said they have no Apple Store near them so they want to mail in the phone and get an Apple Gift Card in return.

Sorry, I didn't understand that.

When I returned for a gift card I did it via FedEx as stated in my original reply. The quote from Apple Trade In - Apple in my second reply also doesn't restrict it to store or online return.

It wasn't actually a plastic card but was sent via email (same as you would get if you chose the email option at Buy Apple Gift Cards - Apple ).

Yes, this is kind of a gray area. Which is why I suggested to the Author they contact Apple directly to see if they can mail in a device and get an Apple gift card in return.

The last time I traded an iPhone for a gift card (rather than for credit against a new item), they emailed me instructions to take it to a FedEx store along with the email. FedEx used the email information and they supplied the box, packed the box and shipped it.

I don't know if that is standard practice. But you should receive an email with information and instructions regardless of whether they send you a trade-in kit or handle it similar to the above.

From the research I've done, Apple doesn't accept phones shipped to them in return for a gift card. But you'll need to confirm this Apple directly. If you're in the US, you can call them at: 800-MY-APPLE