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Do not pay for a used phone until you have started its setup yourself. An iPhone must show the Hello screen and let you continue without the previous owner’s Apple Account. An Android phone must complete setup without requesting the former owner’s screen lock or Google Account. A passcode, Home screen, or apparently successful erase is not enough.
Why an erased phone can still be unusable
Apple’s Activation Lock and Android’s device protection are anti-theft features tied to the previous owner’s account. Erasing the storage does not necessarily remove that protection. If the account remains linked, the phone may boot normally but block setup after you have paid.
Apple says a protected iPhone running iOS or iPadOS 15 or later displays “iPhone Locked to Owner” when it is turned on or woken. Apple also says not to take ownership of a used iPhone or iPad until it has been removed from the previous owner’s account. Google Pixel Help explains that device protection is turned off by removing the Google Account, and that resetting a protected device requires either the screen unlock or the Google Account password.
The only reliable iPhone acceptance test
1. Ask the seller to unlock it
Have the seller turn on the iPhone and unlock it in front of you. If you see “iPhone Locked to Owner”, stop: the phone is still protected by Activation Lock. Do not accept a promise that the seller will remove it later.
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If a passcode or the Home screen appears, the phone has not been erased. That is not a pass condition; it means the seller must erase it while you are present.
2. Have the seller erase it
With the seller present, ask them to use the iPhone’s erase option and complete any Apple Account or passcode confirmation the device requests. Keep the phone in view until it restarts. An erase performed earlier may have left the account association intact, so watching the process removes that uncertainty.
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3. Start setup yourself
- Wait for the iPhone to display the Hello screen.
- Tap through language, region and network screens yourself.
- Continue far enough to verify that setup does not request the previous owner’s Apple Account.
- Stop immediately if an Apple Account belonging to the seller is requested. The seller must remove the device from that account before you can safely buy it.
Apple’s acceptance rule is simple: a device is ready for a new owner when the Hello screen appears and setup can proceed. Do not confuse seeing Hello with merely seeing a startup screen; you must perform enough setup to expose an account prompt.
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1. Check the unlocked phone
Ask the seller to unlock the Android phone and open its account settings. The exact menu names vary by manufacturer and Android version, but the seller should remove their Google Account from the device before the factory reset. Removing the account is Google’s stated way to turn off device protection.
Rank #3
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
2. Watch the factory reset
Have the seller initiate the factory reset while you are present. Let the phone restart to its initial setup. A reset can look successful and still leave protection enabled if the Google Account was not removed first.
3. Test setup without the old credentials
Choose the language and begin setup. Reject the phone if it asks for the previous Google Account, its password, or the former screen-lock credential. Google states that a protected device requires either the screen unlock or the Google Account password to complete a factory reset; a seller who cannot provide the required credential has not transferred a usable phone.
Rank #4
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
What to verify before handing over money
| Check | Accept | Reject or pause |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone status when powered on | Hello screen after an observed erase | “iPhone Locked to Owner,” passcode screen, or seller’s Home screen |
| iPhone setup | You can continue without the prior Apple Account | Any request for the previous owner’s Apple Account |
| Android account removal | Seller removes their Google Account before reset | Seller resets without removing it |
| Android setup | Setup proceeds with your account or allows you to continue | Previous Google Account, password, or old screen lock is required |
| Transaction timing | Payment after the live setup test | Payment based only on photos, a promise, or a prior reset |
Why testing before payment matters
A phone can appear usable while the seller is still signed in. A later erase, update, or setup attempt can reveal the account lock that was hidden by the existing session. Completing the test before payment gives you leverage to walk away instead of trying to recover money from a seller who cannot remove the lock.
Checks that are separate from account locks
Account-lock testing does not establish that a phone is paid off, free of an operator blacklist, compatible with your carrier, or covered by a return policy. Before buying, record the IMEI or serial number and verify those issues separately with the carrier, marketplace or manufacturer. Ask for a written return window and, where relevant, confirmation that the device is not still tied to financing.
Best Value
- GSM Unlocked: Enjoy seamless connectivity with your preferred GSM carrier. Compatible with T-Mobile, Metro PCS, AT&T, Cricket, Mint Mobile and other GSM networks. SIM card not included. For network compatibility, please check with your carrier. Note: Not compatible with CDMA networks like Verizon (Visible, Spectrum Mobile, US Mobile, Total Wireless, Straight Talk Wireless)
- Boundless Views: Enjoy immersive viewing on the spacious 6.5” HD+ display. Whether you're watching videos, browsing, or gaming, every detail comes through with stunning clarity.
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- Effortless Access: Keep your phone secure with A.I. Face ID technology. Instantly unlock your G35 with just a glance. It's fast, easy, and secure.
When comparing sellers, look for five practical safeguards:
- A return window long enough to complete setup and test your SIM or eSIM.
- Permission to perform the live erase-and-setup test before payment.
- A written guarantee that the previous owner’s Apple or Google account has been removed.
- Clear carrier and network-compatibility information.
- Documented IMEI or financing checks and, if advertised, certified-refurbisher status.
Apple and Google’s support guidance establishes the account-lock tests, but it does not certify any particular marketplace or seller. Treat a seller’s policy as an additional safeguard, not a substitute for seeing the clean setup yourself.
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