Guide

Selling a faulty MacBook

A MacBook with a fault can still be worth an offer. Three things help most: knowing exactly which model it is, describing what it does when you try to start it, and making sure it is not locked to your Apple Account.

Identify the model, even if it will not start

If the MacBook starts, the Apple menu, then About This Mac, gives the name, year, chip and memory. That is everything we need to identify it.

If it does not start, turn it over. In the small printed text on the underside, near the hinge, there is a model number beginning with “A”, for example A2337 or A2338. Put that in the form along with anything you remember about it, such as the screen size, the year you bought it, or whether it has Touch ID or a Touch Bar.

You may also find the model on the original box or your purchase receipt. We do not need the serial number to make an offer, so you can leave it out.

Describing Mac faults

What your MacBook shows when you press the power button tells us a lot. Tell us which of these is closest:

What you seeWhat to add
Nothing at allNo chime, no light from the keyboard, nothing on screen. Say whether it responds after being on the charger for a while.
A folder with a question markThe MacBook cannot find its start-up disk.
A circle with a line through itThe MacBook found a start-up disk but cannot start macOS from it.
Stuck on the Apple logo or progress barSay how long you have left it.
Restarts on its ownIncluding a message that your computer restarted because of a problem.
Picture only at certain lid anglesThe screen goes dark or shows uneven light when the lid opens past a certain point.

For other faults, describe them in plain words: keys that do not respond or repeat, a trackpad that does not click, ports that do not work, a battery that only lasts minutes or shows “Service Recommended”, or a MacBook that will not charge. If it will not charge, tell us which charger you used and whether you have tried another.

For liquid damage, say what was spilled, roughly when, and whether it has worked since.

Activation Lock and device management

Activation Lock ties a MacBook to its owner’s Apple Account through Find My. While it is on, nobody else can set the MacBook up, so it must be removed before a sale. We cannot remove it for you, and we will never ask for your Apple Account password.

If the MacBook starts

Open System Information. Under Hardware, “Activation Lock Status” shows whether it is on. To remove it, sign out of your Apple Account in System Settings, which also turns off Find My.

If the MacBook will not start

Sign in at iCloud.com on another device, open Find Devices, choose the MacBook and remove it from your account. If you no longer know your Apple Account password, Apple’s account recovery can help you reset it.

Work and school MacBooks

If System Settings mentions that the Mac is supervised or managed by an organisation, or it asks to enrol in management after a reset, it is enrolled in device management. Only that organisation can release it, and you need to be authorised to sell it.

Firmware passwords

Some older Intel MacBooks have a firmware password that stops them starting from anything else. If yours asks for one, tell us, and remove it before handover if you can.

Photos for a faulty MacBook

  • The lid closed, and the underside showing the model number.
  • The screen switched on, showing the fault or the start-up symbol, with the flash off.
  • The screen switched off at an angle, if the glass is cracked.
  • The keyboard and trackpad, and a close-up of any damage or liquid marks.
  • The charger, if you are including it.

Please do not open the MacBook to check inside. If it has had any repair, including an official Apple battery or screen replacement, tell us in the form: we assess repairs individually. If you would rather have it fixed, our MacBook repair team can quote separately.

Get an offer for your faulty MacBook

Send us the details and a few photos. If it is something we can use, we will email you an offer. There is no obligation to accept.

Any offer we make is based on the details and photos you send, and is valid for seven days. It is subject to us checking the device when we receive it and confirming it matches your description.

☎ Call Now Get an Offer