Before buying a used iPhone, check the seller’s return terms, inspect the phone and test its functions, review battery and repair information, and confirm it works with your carrier. Most importantly, do not take ownership while Activation Lock or the previous owner’s Apple Account is still attached. Apple’s current pre-owned iPhone checklist and Activation Lock guidance provide the steps below.
1. Check the seller, listing, and return terms
For an online purchase, read the return policy before ordering. Find out how long you have to return the phone, which reasons qualify, and how the return must be handled. Ask for details about the phone’s physical condition, battery health, and repairs if they are not already disclosed.
If a seller calls the phone certified or refurbished, ask what that seller’s process includes and which checks were performed. Apple advises buyers to learn about the seller’s process; it does not define one universal refurbishment standard. Inspect a delivered phone promptly and use the return window if its condition does not match the listing.
2. Confirm Activation Lock is off before taking ownership
Wake or turn on the iPhone. If it displays “iPhone Locked to Owner,” the seller must remove Activation Lock. Apple Support’s instruction is unequivocal: “Don’t buy an iPhone if Activation Lock is enabled.” Activation Lock is associated with Find My and requires the Apple Account password to turn off Find My, erase, reactivate, or use a protected device.
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A passcode screen or a clean-looking display does not prove the phone is ready for a new owner. If the Passcode Lock Screen or Home Screen appears, ask the seller to erase the iPhone. Start setup: if it asks for the previous owner’s Apple Account, the device is still linked to that account. Have the seller remove it before you proceed. Apple says the device is ready for use when the Hello screen appears.
3. Inspect the exterior and test basic functions
Check the body and charging
Remove the case and accessories so they cannot hide damage. Inspect the screen, sides, and back for scratches, scuffs, dents, or other damage. Look at the phone’s charging connector—the connector type varies by model—and check for visible damage or debris. Serious damage may affect operation.
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Try to turn the iPhone on. If it will not start, try charging it; Apple advises against buying it if the battery will not charge. If you bring a cable for the check, make sure its connector matches that particular model.
Test controls, display, cameras, speakers, and microphone
If the phone has not been erased, ask the seller to erase it so you can set it up and test it. Once it is unlocked, check the following:
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- Press the volume and side buttons; test the Ring/Silent switch on models that have one.
- Adjust screen brightness.
- Take photos in bright and low light, check focus, and test the Telephoto and Ultra Wide cameras if the model includes them. Record a video and play it back.
- Play a ringtone to check the speakers. Record a short Voice Memo and play it back to check the microphone.
- Connect to Wi-Fi if available. If you decide not to buy or return the phone, forget any Wi-Fi network you joined during inspection.
4. Review battery health—and treat missing data cautiously
Apple’s buying guide says battery health is available on iPhone 6 and later running iOS 11.3 or later. Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health; on iOS 16.1 or later, the path is Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. Review Maximum Capacity and any service or degradation messages.
Apple does not set a universal battery-health percentage at which every used iPhone should be rejected. Also, battery-health information is unavailable for unknown or non-genuine batteries, so a missing or unreliable reading is not evidence that the battery is healthy. Ask about battery repairs and factor the possibility of replacement into your decision.
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5. Read Parts and Service History in context
On iOS 15.2 or later, open Settings > General > About and look for Parts and Service History. Whether that section appears, and which parts it covers, depends on the model and its repair history. Apple lists these supported part details:
| iPhone models | Parts that may appear in Parts and Service History |
|---|---|
| iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) | Battery |
| iPhone 11 models | Battery and display |
| iPhone 12 models and later | Battery, display, logic board, front camera, and rear cameras |
These are model-dependent details, not a guarantee that every repair or part will be listed. On earlier iOS versions, Apple says only a replacement part identified as Unknown can be checked. Apple also notes that if a part was serviced more than once, only the most recent service appears; a missing or limited history does not prove the phone has never been repaired.
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What the labels mean
- Genuine: The repair used genuine Apple parts and processes.
- Used: The part was previously used or installed in another iPhone.
- Unknown: The part may be non-genuine, may not be functioning as expected, or could not be verified.
- Unverified: This can indicate a logic board used in another iPhone. Apple says it may affect features such as Apple Pay.
- Finish Repair: Calibration is incomplete. Apple says features such as Face ID or Touch ID may not work until calibration is complete.
For Apple’s full explanation of supported models and labels, see iPhone Parts and Service History.
6. Check the carrier restriction
Open Settings > General > About and find Network Provider Lock or Carrier Lock; the wording varies by region and software. Apple says “No SIM restrictions” indicates an unlocked phone. If a network provider or carrier is listed, the iPhone can be used only with that provider. Confirm compatibility with the carrier you plan to use before paying.
Compare listings using the same checks
Compare each phone on the same practical points rather than relying on a seller’s grade or label alone:
- Return window and what the seller’s certification or inspection process includes.
- Disclosed physical condition and whether your inspection matches it.
- Battery-health reading and any service or degradation messages.
- Visible repair history and the labels shown for supported parts.
- Carrier-lock status and compatibility with your intended provider.
- Whether setup reaches the Hello screen without requesting the previous owner’s account.
Apple’s cited buying guidance does not establish a universal used-iPhone grading scheme, fair-market price, or minimum battery-health percentage. Judge the specific device against your needs and the seller’s terms.
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