How to Sell or Trade In Your Apple Device for Cash with Mac of All Trades

Updated

Mac of All Trades buys used Apple devices for cash and also lets you trade a device toward a purchase. The site's own pitch is direct: "Swap your Apple for cash. We pay more than the competition." If you have a working Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Apple Watch that you no longer use, selling it here is a realistic option — but the exact amount you get depends on the model, its condition, and which of the two paths (straight sale vs. trade-in) you pick. This guide walks through what the site supports, how the process works, and what to check before you ship anything.

What you can sell or trade in

Based on the site's catalog structure, Mac of All Trades deals in the full Apple lineup. The categories it buys and resells include:

Category Examples listed on the site
Laptops MacBook Pro (13", 14", 15", 16"), MacBook Air (11", 13", 15"), MacBook 12"
Desktops iMac (21.5", 24", 27"), iMac Pro, Mac mini, Mac Studio, Mac Pro
iPads iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, iPad mini
iPhones iPhone 17, 16, 15, 14, 13 & older, iPhone Air / e / SE
Watches Apple Watch Ultra, Series 10, 9, 8, 7 & older, SE
Accessories & Parts AirPods, Apple TV, cases, displays, cables & adapters, keyboards & mice, batteries, LCD assemblies, logic boards, power supplies, video cards

The presence of a "Parts" section (batteries, LCD assemblies, logic boards, power supplies) matters if your device is broken or partially working — it suggests non-functional units may still have value, though the site does not publish a separate quote table for parts on the page evidence provided.

Sell outright vs. trade in: which fits you

The site presents two distinct actions: Sell (get cash for your device) and buying refurbished (spend that value on a replacement). They are not the same transaction.

  • Sell outright — best if you don't need another Apple device right now, or you've already bought your replacement elsewhere. You get cash, and you're done.
  • Trade in / swap toward a purchase — best if you're upgrading within the same purchase. The value of your old device offsets the price of a refurbished Mac, iPad, or iPhone from the same catalog. This avoids a separate payout step and keeps everything in one order.

The site's phrasing — "Swap your Apple for cash" and "Sell now" — points to a sell-for-cash flow as the primary path, with trade-in as the practical use of that cash if you're also buying. There is no published comparison table showing trade-in values running higher than cash offers, so don't assume one is automatically better; the deciding factor is simply whether you want cash or a replacement device.

Step-by-step: getting a quote and completing the sale

The page evidence confirms the entry points ("Sell," "Sell now," "Swap your Apple for cash") but does not expose the internal quote form fields. The general flow for this type of buyback is:

  1. Identify your exact model. Use the specific naming the site uses — e.g., "MacBook Pro 14-inch," "iPhone 13," "Apple Watch Series 8" — not just "MacBook" or "iPhone." Model year and screen size change the value significantly.
  2. Enter the device details through the Sell / Sell now link. You'll typically be asked for configuration (storage, RAM for Macs), condition, and whether it powers on.
  3. Review the quoted offer. This is the number to compare against other buyback channels before committing.
  4. Accept and ship. If you proceed, you'll package the device and send it in. Keep the tracking number.
  5. Get paid once the device is received and inspected. Note: the page evidence does not specify payment methods or payout timing, so confirm those during the quote step rather than assuming.

Expected result: a cash offer you can accept or decline, or a credit applied to a purchase if you're trading in.

What actually affects your offer

Because the site advertises paying "more than the competition," the offer is competitive only relative to your device's specifics. The factors that move the number:

  • Model and generation — a MacBook Pro 16-inch and a 12-inch MacBook are in completely different value tiers.
  • Configuration — storage and memory (for Macs) are the biggest internal variables.
  • Condition — cosmetic wear, screen condition, and battery health.
  • Functionality — a device that boots and holds a charge is worth more than one that doesn't. The parts category exists precisely because non-working units still have salvage value.
  • Completeness — original charger, box, and accessories can matter, though the site doesn't state a hard rule on this.

Before you ship: the checklist that prevents problems

These are the steps that most often get skipped, and they're the ones that cause rejected offers or lost data:

  • Back up your data to iCloud, Time Machine, or an external drive.
  • Sign out of iCloud / Find My — for iPhones, iPads, and Watches this is required to remove Activation Lock; a locked device typically can't be accepted.
  • Erase the device (Settings → General → Transfer or Reset, or Disk Utility for Macs) so no personal data leaves with it.
  • Unpair Bluetooth accessories (AirPods, Apple Watch) from your Apple ID.
  • Remove any SIM or memory card from iPhones and iPads.
  • Photograph the device and its serial number before packing, in case of a dispute.
  • Pack it properly — padded box, no loose movement, and keep the shipping receipt.

Common sticking points

  • "The offer dropped after inspection." This happens when the described condition doesn't match reality. Be honest about scratches, battery health, and whether it powers on.
  • Activation Lock. If you forget to sign out of iCloud, the device is effectively unusable to the buyer and the sale usually can't complete.
  • Assuming free shipping applies to selling. The site advertises "Free Shipping," but the page evidence ties this to the storefront generally — confirm whether it covers your inbound trade-in shipment during the quote.
  • Expecting a fixed price list. No public buyback price table is shown, so you must request a quote for your specific device to know your number.

The bottom line

Mac of All Trades is a legitimate destination for converting a used Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Apple Watch into cash or store credit, and its catalog confirms it handles the full range of Apple hardware — including parts. The decision comes down to two questions: do you want cash or a replacement device, and does the quoted offer beat what you'd get elsewhere? Get the quote first, compare it, and only then decide whether to sell, trade in, or hold.