To sell a phone at Celltrade.ae you need two things: the device itself and your Emirates ID or passport. The charger and the original box help, but they are not required. You do not need an appointment to visit one of our stores.
Why does a buyer ask for ID when you sell a phone?
A buyer asks for ID to record who sold the device. Every phone that is bought is tied to the person who handed it over. That record is what separates a careful buyer of used devices from a casual one, and it protects genuine owners.
At Celltrade.ae we ask for your Emirates ID or your passport. Either one is fine. Bring it with you along with the phone, and keep it to hand when the offer is being confirmed.
Do you need the original box to sell a phone?
No. The original box is not required at Celltrade.ae. A phone without its box can still be sold.
The box does matter a little, though. When you get an estimate on celltrade.ae, you are asked to choose your device, its storage, the box (sealed or open) and its condition. A box and accessories can help the offer, so if they are in a drawer at home, bring them.
Do you need the charger or the purchase receipt?
Neither is required.
- Charger and cable: helpful, not essential. If you still have the ones that came with the phone, bring them.
- Purchase receipt: not on the list of things Celltrade.ae asks for. If you still have it, there is no harm in bringing it along.
- Earphones, case and other extras: optional. Bring what you have.
A missing charger or box will not stop the sale. The final offer is confirmed after the device is inspected in front of you, and you are free to accept or decline it.
Can you sell a phone on behalf of someone else?
The ID is there to record who sold the device. So the person who is actually selling the phone should bring their own Emirates ID or passport, not someone else’s.
It is simplest if the owner comes in person. The owner knows the screen passcode and the account password, and both are needed to sign out of the phone before it changes hands. A friend or relative usually does not have them.
If the owner cannot travel, there is another route. Celltrade.ae offers free home pickup in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, so the owner can sell the phone without visiting a store. If your situation is different, explain it on WhatsApp before you set out, so you know where you stand.
What if the phone is still locked to an account or reported lost?
A phone that is still locked to an account, or that has been reported lost, cannot be accepted until the owner unlocks it. This is different from a phone that is broken. Celltrade.ae buys devices in any condition, working or not, and adjusts the price after inspection. A lock is not a condition problem. It means the phone cannot be used by anyone else.
Before you come, check these points:
- iPhone: open Settings, tap your name, then Find My, then Find My iPhone, and turn it off. You will be asked for your Apple Account password. This removes Activation Lock.
- Android: open Settings, find the accounts section (its name varies by brand) and remove your Google account. On a Samsung phone, remove your Samsung account too. Do this before a factory reset. Otherwise the phone will ask for the old account again after the reset.
- Reported lost: only the owner can clear that status. Until it is cleared, the phone cannot be bought.
You should also back up, sign out and factory reset before handing the device over. Our team can help you do this in store.
What should you bring? A short checklist
| Bring this | Why |
|---|---|
| The device | It is inspected in front of you, and the final offer is confirmed after that. |
| Emirates ID or passport | Required. It records who sold the device. |
| Your passcode and account password | Needed to sign out and remove any account lock. |
| Charger and cable | Optional. They can help the offer. |
| Original box | Optional. It can help the offer. |
| Purchase receipt | Optional. Not required, but fine to bring if you have it. |
What is the next step?
Start with an estimate. On the sell your phone page, choose your device, storage, box and condition to see an estimated price. If you have an Apple device, go straight to sell an iPhone. The website price is an estimate, and the final offer is confirmed after inspection.
Then continue on WhatsApp and choose how to hand the phone over. You can walk into one of our three Dubai stores in Deira, Al Barsha or Al Satwa, or book a free pickup. Once you accept the offer, you are paid in cash on the spot.