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## What Is the iPad Pro M4 Worth Now?
The current trade-in value for an iPad Pro M4 ranges from $450 to $850, depending on its condition. When it was released in 2024, the original price tag was a hefty $1099 USD. The exact value you can get back depends on how well you've maintained your device. "Like new" units command the top dollar, while devices in fair condition fetch only about half of what they once did.
How to Wipe Data Before Recycling the iPad Pro M4
Before recycling or trading in your iPad Pro M4, wiping all data is a must. Follow these steps:
- Back up your device to iCloud or a computer.
- Sign out of iCloud by going to Settings > [your name] > Sign Out.
- deal with to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Unpair any Apple Pencil connected to the tablet.
- Remove any keyboard case attached to your device.
Wiping data ensures that none of your personal information falls into the wrong hands, so don't skip this step under any circumstances.
Where to Recycle or Trade In the iPad Pro M4
Several options exist for recycling or trading in your iPad Pro M4:
- Apple's Trade-In Program: Offers both cash and store credit depending on the condition of your device.
- Third-party Services: Websites like Gazelle and Back Market, Back Market, SellCell, Gazelle, and GameStop offer a mix of cash and gift cards. These sites often buy back devices in any working condition.
- Retailer Recycling Programs: Stores such as Best Buy (US), Currys (UK), and JB Hi-Fi (Australia) have recycling initiatives that provide both credit towards future purchases and sometimes straight-up cash.
For devices with no trade-in value, certified e-waste definition recyclers are the best bet. These services ensure your iPad Pro M4 is disposed of safely without harming the environment.
What Materials Are Recovered from the iPad Pro M4?
Recycling an iPad Pro M4 yields several valuable materials, including aluminum, cobalt, lithium, gold, copper, tantalum, and glass. The 579g weight of each unit means there's a fair amount of these materials to recover.
Aluminum is fully recyclable and can be used in new products like cans or even airplanes. Cobalt and lithium are critical for manufacturing batteries, making them highly sought after by electronics manufacturers. Gold and copper have long been prized for their conductivity, finding use in circuit boards and connectors. Tantalum is another metal that plays a important role in capacitors due to its high stability.
Environmental Impact of Recycling vs Landfill
Recycling an iPad Pro M4 significantly reduces the environmental impact compared to disposing of it in a landfill. Mining 1 tonne of gold from ore generates about 18,000 tonnes of waste, whereas recovering gold from circuit boards is 80 times more efficient. A single smartphone contains roughly $1-2 worth of recoverable precious metals.
Lithium batteries in landfills can cause fires and leach toxic substances like lead into the groundwater. By recycling your iPad Pro M4, you help reduce pollution and conserve natural resources.
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iPad Pro M4: complete recycling + trade-in guide (2026-05-20)
Trade-in vs recycle decision
Use this matrix to decide:
| Device condition | Best route | Typical net value |
|---|
| Working, 0-2 years old | Manufacturer trade-in or carrier upgrade | 35-65% of MSRP |
| Working, screen damaged but functional | eBay / Swappa / Music Magpie | 20-45% of MSRP |
| Working, 2-4 years old | Music Magpie / BackMarket buyback | 15-25% of MSRP |
| Working, 4-6 years old | Specialist refurbisher | 5-15% of MSRP |
| 6+ years old OR not working | Certified recycler (free) | $0 but avoided landfill fines |
Compare 7 buyback prices for iPad Pro M4 in 30 seconds via our Trade-In Best Price Finder.
Data sanitisation steps
- Sign out of all cloud services - Apple ID, Google account, Microsoft account, Samsung account. For Apple devices, removing iCloud lock is mandatory or the next owner can't activate.
- Factory reset via Settings menu:
- iOS: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content
- Android: Settings → System → Reset → Factory data reset
- Windows: Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC → Remove everything
- macOS: Apple menu → System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset
- Verify the reset completed - powered-on device should land on setup-from-scratch screen.
- For sensitive data: factory reset alone is insufficient for SSDs (drive may retain recoverable data). Use a certified ITAD provider with data sanitisation standard Purge. See Hard Drive Destruction Cost Calculator.
Recoverable materials
Smartphones + tablets like iPad Pro M4 contain (per Apple environmental reports + iFixit teardowns):
- Aluminium frame: 1-3% mass recovered at certified processors
- Copper wiring: 60-80% recovery rate
- Gold + silver in connectors: 35-65% recovery
- Lithium-ion battery: must be separated stream (fire risk in mixed loads)
- Rare earth magnets in speakers + haptics: limited recovery economically
Total recoverable material value per smartphone-class device: $1.50-$4.20 at current commodity prices. Look up live value via our Scrap Value Calculator.
Manufacturer programs available
Most major device brands offer free recycling for their own devices:
- Apple Trade In - free shipping, in-store credit or gift card payout
- Samsung Recycle Direct - free mail-in, gift card payout
- Google Pixel Trade-In - free mail-in, instant credit
- Microsoft Trade-In - via authorised partners, gift card payout
- Dell Reconnect (US) - free in-store via Goodwill partnership
- HP Planet Partners - free mail-in label
For full verified list per device brand: Manufacturer Take-Back Finder.
Compliance + penalties
Personal data on a disposed device that isn't properly sanitised exposes the original owner to GDPR / state privacy law liability:
- UK GDPR + EU GDPR Art 32: appropriate technical + organisational measures - penalties up to £17.5M / €20M or 4% global turnover
- US state laws (CCPA, NY SHIELD Act, CO CDPA): per-incident penalties $2,500-$7,500
- HIPAA (US healthcare): per-incident penalties $137-$68,928 + per-record $137-$2,134
For any data-bearing device, request a Certificate of Destruction or use a free template via GDPR Data Erasure Certificate Generator.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell iPad Pro M4 if it's still on the carrier blocklist? No - blocked devices have negligible resale value and reputable buyback services reject them. Contact the original carrier to remove the block first (verify with original purchase records). If blocked due to non-payment, settle the account before listing.
What about devices with broken screens but working internals? Refurbishers like Music Magpie + BackMarket pay 40-60% of working-condition value for broken-screen devices. Worth listing - the screen swap costs them $30-$80 wholesale.
Should I remove the battery before recycling? No - certified recyclers want intact devices. Manual battery removal risks puncture + lithium-ion fire. Loose batteries also need separate hazmat shipping stream.
Related tools + guides
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Device data verified against manufacturer environmental reports + iFixit repairability database + current commodity prices as of 2026-05-20. Operated by Defining Style Limited (UK Companies House 10572391, ICO Registration ZA711914).