By CashForTechs · Updated October 30, 2026
Below: what “not paid off” means when you sell, how to check whether your iPhone is carrier-locked, and how to get it ready for a same-day meetup.
What “not paid off” means when you sell
When you get an iPhone on a monthly plan, you pay for the phone in installments on your carrier bill. Until those payments are finished, the phone is usually carrier-locked, which means it only works with that carrier.
Two things matter when you sell:
- The balance stays with you. Selling the phone doesn’t pay off the balance; it stays on your carrier account, so keep up with your payments.
- The lock stays with the phone. A carrier-locked iPhone still works normally with its carrier, and that’s fine with us. Carrier-locked and financed phones are fine on any model we buy.
How to check if your iPhone is carrier-locked
It takes about 30 seconds:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General, then About.
- Scroll down to Carrier Lock.
If it says No SIM restrictions, your iPhone is unlocked. If it says anything else, such as SIM locked, it’s locked to your carrier. Either way, text us what it says along with your model.
Not sure how much you still owe? Your carrier’s app or website shows the remaining device balance on your account.
Should you pay it off first?
You don’t have to. Some people pay off the last few payments first so their carrier will unlock the phone. Others sell now and keep making their monthly payments as usual. Both work for us.
Your offer is based on live market data for your exact model, storage, condition and carrier status. Text us those details and we’ll text back your offer, so you can decide with a real number in front of you.
Get your iPhone ready before the meetup
Please do these before the meetup:
- Move your service to your new phone. If you use an eSIM, transfer it to your new phone first. If you use a physical SIM card, take it out and keep it.
- Back up your iPhone to iCloud.
- Turn off Find My. You’ll need your Apple Account password.
- Erase it. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
Step by step, with every screen: How to wipe your iPhone before you sell it. Not sure how? We’ll walk you through it.
If it’s iCloud-locked instead
A carrier lock and an iCloud lock are different things. An iCloud lock (Activation Lock) means the iPhone is still linked to an Apple Account (formerly Apple ID) through Find My. Signing out of your Apple Account with your password removes it.
We buy iCloud-locked or passcode-locked iPhones only on the iPhone 13 Pro Max or newer. Read more about selling a broken or locked iPhone.
What we can’t take
- Cracked or broken iPhones older than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Cracked screens and cracked backs need an iPhone 13 Pro Max or newer.
Water damage or won’t turn on? Text us the model and what happened. Newer models can still get an offer; older ones usually can’t.
Battery issue? We still consider most iPhones.
How it works
Text or call (916) 269-5021 with your model and condition, get an offer based on live market data, and we’ll call or text to set a time. Meet locally in Sacramento and get same-day cash. No inspection price drops: the offer we quote is the offer you’re paid when the device is as described.
