How to Buy a Used iPhone
Without Getting Scammed

Ask the seller to send a screenshot of Settings → General → About → IMEI before you go anywhere. Then verify it on:

• imei.info — Blacklist & carrier check (free)
• imeicheck.com — iCloud Activation Lock check
• checkcoverage.apple.com — Apple's official warranty & activation check

If the seller refuses to share the IMEI — do not buy the phone. There is no legitimate reason to hide it.

Activation Lock is Apple's anti-theft feature. If the previous owner's Apple ID is still linked, you will never be able to use the phone — even after a factory reset.

• On the device: go to Settings → [Name] → Find My — it must show "Find My iPhone: OFF"
• Ask the seller to sign out of iCloud in front of you: Settings → [Name] → Sign Out
• If the phone shows "iPhone Locked to Owner" screen — walk away immediately

A carrier-locked iPhone only works with one specific carrier (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.). If you use a different carrier, the phone is useless to you until unlocked — and some carriers charge $50–$100+ to unlock.

• Check via IMEI: On imei.info — look for "SIM Lock: Locked/Unlocked" and the original carrier
• Check on the device: Go to Settings → General → About — "Carrier Lock: No SIM restrictions" means it's unlocked
• Physical test: Insert your own SIM card — if it connects to your carrier with full signal, it's unlocked
• iPhones bought directly from Apple are always unlocked. Carrier-purchased iPhones may be locked for 1–2 years from purchase date

A locked phone isn't always a dealbreaker — but you must know which carrier it's locked to before buying.

Fake iPhones running Android can look identical in photos. Verify authenticity in person:

• Connect to iTunes or Finder on a Mac/PC — a genuine iPhone is recognized instantly
• Go to Settings → General → About — confirm the iOS version and model number
• Check Parts & Service History (iOS 15.2+) — "Unknown" parts indicate non-genuine components
• Siri, Face ID/Touch ID, and AirDrop only work on genuine Apple devices

Battery health directly affects how long you'll get between charges. Apple considers anything below 80% degraded.

• Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging
• 85%+ — Good, no replacement needed
• 80–84% — Acceptable, budget for a replacement within 6–12 months
• Below 80% — Negotiate a lower price or pass. Factor in a $49–$79 battery replacement cost.

A low battery health is not a dealbreaker — but it must be reflected in the price.

Don't rush this step — take at least 3–5 minutes testing:

• Screen: View a white image in full brightness — look for dead pixels, yellow spots, or burn-in
• Touch: Swipe all corners, test the keyboard across the whole screen
• Face ID / Touch ID: Set it up and test it works
• Cameras: Test front, rear, telephoto and ultra-wide in low and bright light
• Speakers & microphone: Play music, record a voice memo
• Charging port: Plug in a cable — confirm it charges and connects
• Buttons: Test volume, side button, and mute switch

Physical damage can reveal past abuse the seller isn't disclosing:

• Check all four corners and edges for dents — deep bends suggest a hard drop
• Look at the screen closely under light at an angle — hairline cracks show up this way
• Check the SIM card tray — look inside the slot for the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI). It's white if normal, red/pink if water damaged
• Check the charging port with a flashlight — corrosion means water exposure

The final step protects your money:

• Avoid: Zelle, Venmo, Cash App — no fraud protection once sent
• Use: Cash in person, or PayPal "Goods & Services" (not Friends & Family)
• Meet at: A busy public place — mall, coffee shop, or a police station lobby (many offer this)
• Never meet at your home or a remote/unfamiliar location
• If the seller requests a last-minute location change — cancel and walk away
• Ask for the original box and receipt if available — it verifies ownership