20+ tips to keep in mind before buying a second-hand iPhone
Learn what to check before buying a pre-owned iPhone or iPad, whether meeting the seller in person or shopping online.
These tips will ensure you get a good working iPhone and avoid losing money or being tricked into buying a faulty device.
First and foremost, check for Activation Lock
This is the most important thing to remember when buying a pre-owned or refurbished iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other Apple device.
Activation Lock is a crucial security feature that links the device to its owner’s Apple Account. The owner must turn it off by signing out of their Apple Account before selling, giving, or trading in the device.
If the previous owner fails to do so because they don’t know their Apple Account password or have malicious intentions, you should avoid that iPhone, even if it’s offered at a dirt cheap price.
iPhones with Activation Lock enabled are essentially unusable, as you cannot set them up without the previous owner’s Apple Account password. Additionally, the device might be stolen, and owning such an iPhone could lead to serious legal trouble. To stay safe, avoid purchasing locked iPhones, whether online or in person.
For more, see: How to check Activation Lock before buying a used iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Vision Pro
Things to keep in mind when you buy a second-hand iPhone online
Here are some essential tips to consider before you hit the checkout button on a website to purchase a pre-owned or refurbished iPhone.
Buying from a reliable platform and seller
Do your due diligence to ensure the website is genuine, and has a nice, long track record. Enter the website name in whois.com and see the date this domain was registered. Many scam sites are usually registered in the last few months, and they are full of AI-generated text and images taken from stock sites or stolen from other genuine places.
Tip: Pay with a credit card so you can file a chargeback in case there’s no delivery or fraud. PayPal is also a good option as it provides buyer protection.
Read reviews of that platform or seller
Head to Reddit, X, and other online forums to independently verify the platform. If the platform allows multiple sellers (like Amazon, eBay, etc.), read the seller’s reviews as well.
Check the return policy
Make sure the online marketplace allows hassle-free returns or at least allows you to exchange a device. If they don’t, look at other options.
Know where they refund the amount
If a website allows returns, check their policy to confirm that your money will be credited to your credit card/bank account, not in their own wallet or in the form of store credit or coupons.
Learn about the platform’s certification process
Some platforms, like Apple’s own refurbished store, go through a meticulous process to replace the battery, clean the exterior, address any issues, and then list the device as refurbished or pre-owned. Other sellers may skip these steps and sell the device as is, so it’s important to check in advance.
Naturally, this doesn’t apply if you’re buying directly from someone on Facebook Marketplace, auction sites like eBay, or similar platforms.
Read every detail to know the exact condition of the iPhone
You may come across reseller websites that explain the condition of the pre-owned iPhone using different levels like Fair, Good, or Mint. Read their explanation for each category to better understand what you’re buying. Also, make sure to carefully go through the description to learn about the storage, past repairs, battery health, delivery date, etc.
Check if their customer care is responsive
If a pre-owned iPhone marketplace is new to you, contact their support via telephone, email, X, or other channels. If you don’t get a reply in 2 or 3 working days, chances are no support will be available if you face issues with your order.
Inspect your iPhone after receiving it
Finally, once the product is delivered, check it carefully using the tips mentioned under the next heading. If the device you received isn’t what you expected, raise a return or exchange request with the online marketplace/seller.
What to do if you’re buying a second-hand iPhone in person
Buying a used iPhone in person gives you the chance to inspect the device carefully. Here’s everything you must do before paying.
Review the physical condition
The first obvious step is to check the iPhone for physical cracks, dents, scratches, etc. Remember that even if the iPhone is working fine at this time, a big dent in a corner confirms the device suffered a hard fall, which may lead to screen issues in the future.
Turn on the iPhone and check the following
Once the device passes your physical inspection, press and hold the side power button to turn it on. Ensure you don’t see green, white, pink, or multi-colored lines on the display.
Next, consider the following four scenarios:
Scenario 1: If you see the Lock Screen: This means the owner didn’t erase the iPhone, and it still has the password they set and their data. You can have them unlock the device and then inspect the other things mentioned below. But do not purchase it unless they sign out of their Apple Account and erase the device.
Scenario 2: If you see the “Hello” set-up screen: This confirms the owner erased the device. However, the Activation Lock may still be in place. So, swipe up and go through the regular iOS device setup steps. If you see an Activation Lock screen, ask the seller to enter their Apple Account password to bypass this lock. You can continue to inspect the device after setting it up.
Scenario 3: If you directly see the “iPhone Locked to Owner” screen: This confirms the iPhone is still linked to its owner’s Apple Account. Have them enter their Apple Account password to authenticate and then set up the device.
Scenario 4: If you see a “Lost iPhone” screen: This means the iPhone is stolen, and its legitimate owner has put it in Lost Mode. It also has Activation Lock active. Stay away from this device at all costs!
Look carefully at the display for dead pixels
Open a white image or zoom in on a white web page in Safari and inspect it carefully to ensure you don’t see any dead pixels. If you do, cancel the sale or negotiate to reduce the price. Dead pixels usually appear as gray-black dots, but they can also be of some other color.
Confirm the iPhone model
Most recent iPhone models look the same to the average person. So, to avoid getting tricked into receiving an older model, open the Settings app on the iPhone you’re about to purchase and tap General > About. Make sure the Model Name (like iPhone 15 Pro Max) matches what the seller told you.
Check the built-in storage
From the About page in iPhone Settings, make sure the Capacity (128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, etc.) is what the owner advertised.
Check the warranty status
If the seller is saying the iPhone is under warranty or has AppleCare+ protection, you can confirm this yourself in Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty.
Perform these display checks
The next step is to confirm that the iPhone’s display is working correctly. So, head to its Settings app and tap Display & Brightness. Now, adjust the brightness slider and ensure the screen brightness changes accordingly. Next, toggle TrueTone on or off to make sure it’s working. If these are grayed out, that means the display is not a genuine Apple part (more on this later).
Use a cable, adapter/power bank to ensure the Lightning or USB-C port is working. Next, make sure the side power button, both volume buttons, Action button, Ring/silent switch, and Camera Control work fine.
See the battery health and manufacture date
Head to Settings > Battery > Battery Health to check the Maximum Capacity, Cycle Count, and manufacture date. A higher Maximum Capacity percentage and a lower Cycle Count equates to a better battery.
Check if the iPhone was repaired with genuine parts
iPhone logs its repair history and whether the parts used to repair it were genuine. You can see this information by going to Settings > General > About. If the iPhone was never repaired, the Parts and Service History section won’t appear there.
Check if the iPhone is carrier-locked
You can use an unlocked iPhone with any cellular network. But if it’s locked to a specific carrier like AT&T or Verizon, you’ll have to use that carrier’s SIM card unless you unlock it.
You can check this information yourself by going to iOS Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. If it says No SIM restrictions, that means the iPhone can be used with any cellular carrier.
Test all the cameras
Open the Camera app and take some photos in different lighting conditions using the 0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x buttons. While you’re at it, don’t forget to inspect the front-facing selfie camera as well.
Test the speakers
Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and tap a tone to check the built-in speaker.
Test the microphone
Open the Apple Voice Memos app and record audio. Then, play it to ensure the iPhone’s microphones are working.
Check Face ID
Head to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and set up Face ID. If you’re successful, that means the TrueDepth Face ID camera is working.
Verify if the iPhone is new, refurbished, or a replacement
An iPhone’s Model Number can tell you whether it was purchased as a new retail unit, was refurbished by Apple, or was given to the owner as a replacement. This fact can be used to determine its fair market value and fact-check if the seller is being honest about the device.
Ask the person how many people owned this iPhone
Every iPhone, iPad, or Mac has a limit on the number of new Apple Accounts that can be created on it. If you already have an Apple Account, you can use that without a problem.
However, if it’s your first time using an Apple device, you’ll need to create a new Apple Account to download apps, back up data, and more. Owning an iPhone that hasn’t passed through multiple owners ensures you can set up a new Apple Account during the device setup without any issues.
Check if the iPhone is original or counterfeit
If you have followed the above steps to satisfaction, it’s certain that your iPhone is original. But if you’re new to this and still confused about its authenticity, here’s how to check if the second-hand iPhone you’re buying is original or counterfeit.
Also, check out: 30+ things to do after you set up an iPhone
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/03/10/tips-for-buying-second-hand-iphone/
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