The program is designed for convenience, offering two primary ways to trade in your device:

: If you trade in while buying a new device, the value is subtracted from the total purchase price.

Because Apple does not pay out in cash, the "payment" you receive is strictly within the Apple ecosystem:

While Apple does not "buy" old iPhones in exchange for cash like a traditional pawn shop or private buyer, they offer a robust Apple Trade In program that provides significant monetary value. This program allows users to exchange eligible devices for instant credit toward a new purchase or an Apple Gift Card for future use.