The Tool Desk
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Use this checklist before you pay
- Confirm the seller and return terms. Choose a reliable seller and check the return window, acceptable reasons for return, and how a return is handled. If the listing says the phone is certified, ask what the certification process covers and which components are inspected.
- Rule out Activation Lock. The iPhone should be erased and removed from the previous owner’s Apple Account. If setup asks for that person’s Apple Account, stop: do not take ownership until the seller resolves it. Apple’s instruction is direct: “Don’t buy an iPhone if Activation Lock is enabled.” Apple’s pre-owned iPhone guide explains the check.
- Check physical condition and charging. Remove the case and accessories. Inspect the display, sides, back, and charging connector for damage or debris. Turn the phone on and confirm it charges; Apple advises against buying it if it will not charge.
- Review battery information. Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health, or Battery Health & Charging on newer iOS versions. Look at maximum capacity and any important battery messages. Apple does not set a universal capacity cutoff for buyers. Battery health information may be unavailable for an unknown or non-genuine battery, so an absent or unreliable reading is not evidence that the battery is healthy.
- Check Parts and Service History. On iOS 15.2 or later, open Settings > General > About and look for Parts and Service History, if the model and repair support the feature. Read the labels in context; they are useful evidence, not a complete lifetime repair record.
- Check the carrier lock. In Settings > General > About, “No SIM restrictions” means the phone is unlocked according to Apple. If a network provider is listed, the phone is limited to that provider. Ask your intended carrier to confirm it will accept the exact device before purchase.
- Test the basic functions. Once the phone is unlocked and set up, test the buttons, cameras, speaker, microphone, display brightness, and Wi-Fi if available. Suggested ways to check these are detailed below.
Is the iPhone Activation Locked?
Activation Lock links an iPhone to its owner’s Apple Account. Apple says the account password is required to turn off Find My, erase the device, or reactivate and use it. That makes Activation Lock a stop condition, not a minor issue to resolve after the sale. Apple’s Activation Lock guidance describes how the protection works.
Ask the seller to erase the iPhone and remove it from their account before you pay. During setup, proceed only if the phone does not ask for the previous owner’s account. If that prompt appears, have the seller complete the removal; do not accept a promise that you can sort it out later.
What is the battery health?
Battery Health shows the phone’s reported maximum capacity and may display messages about battery performance. Check the result on the device rather than relying only on a listing or screenshot. A reading that cannot be verified—because information is unavailable or the battery is unknown or non-genuine—leaves battery condition uncertain.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
There is no universal maximum-capacity percentage in Apple’s pre-owned buying guidance that makes every used iPhone a good or bad purchase. Consider the reported condition alongside the asking price and the possibility of a battery replacement; do not treat one number as a guarantee of remaining life.
Has the iPhone had parts replaced?
Apple’s Parts and Service History is available on iOS 15.2 or later where the iPhone model and repair make the information available. Apple describes the labels as follows:
Rank #2
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
- Genuine: The repair used genuine Apple parts and processes.
- Unknown: The part may be non-genuine, may not be working as expected, or the repair may be incomplete or unverified.
- Unverified: This can describe a previously used logic board. Apple notes that an unverified logic board may affect features such as Apple Pay.
- Used: The part was previously used or installed in another iPhone.
Coverage varies by model. Apple lists broader component coverage for iPhone 12 and later; battery and display coverage for iPhone 11; and battery-only coverage for iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generations). Only the most recent service for a given part appears, so an empty or limited history does not prove that a phone has never been repaired. See Apple’s Parts and Service History guide for model-specific detail.
Is the iPhone locked to a network provider?
Check Settings > General > About and find the carrier-lock information. “No SIM restrictions” indicates an unlocked iPhone. A named network provider indicates that it is limited to that provider. Even if the phone is unlocked, confirm with your intended carrier that it will accept the specific device; Apple’s check does not establish carrier acceptance for every network or region.
Rank #3
- Fully unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US-Cellular, Cricket, Metro, etc.).
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a charging cable that may be generic.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
What should you test in person?
After the phone is unlocked and set up, check the functions you can access before completing the purchase:
- Press the volume and side buttons.
- Take photos and record video. If the model has extra camera lenses, test those too.
- Play sound through the speaker.
- Record a short clip in Voice Memos and play it back to check the microphone.
- Adjust display brightness.
- Connect to Wi-Fi if available.
Also inspect the charging connector and verify that the phone charges, as part of the physical check. A case can conceal damage, so examine the phone without it.
Rank #4
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
How should you handle an online purchase?
You cannot complete the same hands-on inspection before paying, so make the seller’s return terms especially clear. Confirm the return window, reasons accepted, and process before ordering. On arrival, inspect the phone promptly against the listing and return it if its condition does not match your expectations. Keep the listing and seller’s condition description available while checking it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do you compare two used iPhone listings?
Compare the exact model and storage against your needs, then weigh the seller’s reliability and return terms against the phone’s condition. Check whether battery information is trustworthy, what the available repair-history labels mean, and whether the phone is locked or accepted by your carrier. Finally, account for any repair cost you may face. Apple’s device checks do not establish a current best model, a fair used price, or one battery threshold that suits every buyer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
