If you want a feature-loaded modern iPhone without paying the super high prices of a new one, you’ll have to learn how to buy a used iPhone while minimizing your risks of getting screwed over. The due-diligence process I go over in this article can be done in 15 minutes or less! (Plus, I added an update in 2023 so you can see how the strategy worked out long term.)
After researching how to protect myself from scams and other deceptions, this is the process I used to buy a used iPhone.
Granted, there is no way to lower your risk to zero if buying from a private seller. However, you can drastically lower it if you take the following precautions.
What to say when you reach out to a seller for the first time
To avoid wasting time with sellers who won’t agree to your terms, let them know what info you’ll be asking for BEFORE you agree to meet with them. Also, negotiate the price ahead of time, too. If they agree to your terms, then it’s worth the time and effort to arrange to meet with them in person. This is the message I sent to sellers of iPhones I was interested in:
Hi there!
I’m very interested in your phone, but I have a few questions – if you’re willing to provide me the numbers below via message here, that’s great, if not, we can do this in person:
1. Why are you selling it?
2. Is it still under warranty?
3. Do you have the phone’s serial number? (you can find it in Settings)
4. I’d like the phone’s 15 digit IMEI number (you can find it on the SIM tray) sorry… this is awkward… but it allows me to confirm the phone hasn’t been blacklisted as a stolen phone …I hope my questions don’t cause any offense, as none was intended… it’s just that this is a lot of money, so I want to be careful 🙂
…and last but not least… if you’d rather provide me that info only in person, that’s fine with me as long as we meet somewhere with wifi so I can check those numbers out online. [Location name] has decent wifi… most Starbucks have wifi etc. Let me know! Also, before I buy, I’d like to see photo ID so I know who I’m buying it from, and have a written bill of sale. I’ll happily show you my photo ID too, if you like, so we’re even.
Cheers!
Avery
🙂
Is it necessary for them to see MY photo ID? Nope. However, I figure trust goes both ways… so if they’re uneasy about showing me their photo ID due to identity theft worries or something like that, my willingness to even the score by showing them mine puts most people at ease.
Also, the question about why they’re selling it was just to get a feel for where they’re coming from. Sure, they could lie and I’d have no way of knowing… but I figure more info is always better, so there’s no harm in asking.
Interestingly, one seller told me to “Get lost” merely for asking for the phone’s serial and IMEI numbers – I hadn’t even asked him about ID yet! The only reasons I can see for someone being so hostile to the idea of providing me with the serial and IMEI numbers is if the phone is already blacklisted. Or maybe they’re just super easily offended because I mentioned I wanted to check it to ensure it wasn’t blacklisted. Either way, after that response, I obviously had zero interest in buying from the guy.
Note: Meet the seller in a public place with good wi-fi because you’ll need internet access to run some of these checks. I chose to meet my seller at a local mall food court where I’d have access to free mall wi-fi, and also access to the local Starbucks’ wi-fi. This turned out to be a good thing because the mall wi-fi was at full capacity and wouldn’t allow me to connect. However, the Starbucks wi-fi DID let me connect, so I was able to run all of my desired checks online. Additionally, since you’ll potentially be exchanging a significant amount of money with the seller, you don’t want to risk being robbed. Being in a busy public place helps keep you safe from this.
Check the IMEI number to ensure the phone hasn’t been blacklisted as stolen.
If phone is reported as stolen to a cell phone carrier, they will add it to a blacklist so that it won’t connect to cellular networks. Sure, the phone will still work with apps, but you won’t be able to use it for texting and cell phone calls. Aside from the fact that you don’t want to encourage thieves by allowing them to profit from selling stolen phones, you also don’t want to be tricked into buying a phone that you can’t use for its intended purpose, right?
How to find the IMEI number on a smart phone
Option 1 – Do a Google search to find out where its located on the model of phone you wish to purchase. I was looking for an iPhone 8, which has the IMEI number on the SIM card tray (in minuscule print… so if you’re old enough to need reading glasses, bring a magnifying glass to read it lol).
Option 2 – On most smart phones, you can simple go to the phone’s dial pad (as if you were going to make a phone call), and dial *#06#. This is the method I used because it brought up the IMEI in text that was large enough to read easily (unlike the teeny tiny text of the IMEI number that was present on the SIM tray).
Check the IMEI number’s status on one of the following websites
Now that you have the IMEI number, check to ensure it hasn’t been blacklisted on one of the following sites:
Swappa – their IMEI checker is free to use
DoctorSIM – another free IMEI checker
Double check the phone’s serial number with Apple to see if the phone is still under warranty
Apple has a free service on their website that allows you to verify the warranty status of any product, as long as you have the serial number.
This is particularly important if the seller is claiming the phone is still covered by its original warranty.
Google where to find the serial number on the phone you’re thinking of buying.
(For iPhones, you can find it in Settings.)
Check warranty status with Apple here.
Ensure the iPhone is not “activation locked”
Before you buy a used iPhone, you need to ensure the device is erased (restored to factory settings) and not tied to anyone else’s iCloud account. If the phone displays images/text anything like the following, it has NOT been erased:
If, when you turn on the phone, it asks for a passcode or displays a message indicating the phone is already linked to an Apple ID, ask the seller to erase the phone and put it back to factory settings.
An iPhone that’s been erased to factory settings will display a Hello message like a brand new iPhone, and allow you to go through the steps of entering your own iCloud username and password, among other things.
Note: if the phone has been erased by the seller, you’ll have to activate everything and sign into iCloud on the phone in order to test the functionality. Make sure you also know how to erase the phone back to factory settings in case you decide not to proceed with the purchase.
Make sure the phone isn’t locked to a carrier
Bring two activated SIM cards with you (*from different networks*), insert each into the phone, and place a call. If the calls connect normally, the phone is unlocked. You’ll probably already have one SIM card from your old phone. You can buy an inexpensive pay-as-you go SIM card from another carrier to act as the second SIM for this test. Alternatively, see if a friend (who uses a different cellular network) will come with you and let you use their SIM card for this test.
Why do you need 2 SIM cards from different carriers? Because if you only test 1 SIM, and it happens to be from a network the phone is locked to, the SIM will work. But if the phone can dial out on SIM cards from two different networks, it’s definitely not locked.
You can also check in the phone’s settings to see if it’ll let you select a cell phone network (locked phones shouldn’t let you do this). However, this method isn’t foolproof, so I wouldn’t bother with it.
Check the functionality of the iPhone
Here is a list of checks to run on the phone before you agree to buy it.
Check the exterior of the phone for cracks, chips, and other visible damage. Personally, I was only interested in buying a phone in mint condition since this tells me the owner probably took good care of it. If a phone is visibly banged up, I’d be worried the owner was careless and there could be invisible damage to the inside that I can’t see, from falls, for example. Sometimes damage from falls takes time to show up… loosened parts inside the phone may work for now, but it’s only a matter of time before they cease to work. Lower your odds of getting a lemon of a phone by choosing one that looks to be in perfect shape.
If the phone is not water proof, check for water damage before you buy it – Google how to check for this on the model of iPhone you’re looking at. For example, the iPhone 6 has a water contact indicator inside the SIM card compartment.
Ensure the phone can be powered on and off
Check if the phone can connect to wifi. Go to YouTube and see if the page loads.
Test the volume buttons. Turn the volume up and down to make sure it works as intended. Press play on the YouTube video you loaded in the Safari browser in the previous step – does the volume work well with the phone’s speakers and headphones plugged in? If so, great!
Test the front and back cameras. Take a photo with the front camera. Look for defects in the camera lens by enlarging the image you just took and ensuring every part of it is crystal clear with no distortions. Repeat with the back camera. If you’re looking at a newer iPhone with multiple lenses (ex. wide angle, telephoto, etc), repeat the process of taking a photo and carefully inspecting the resulting image for each of them. Do the same with video. If the camera includes a zoom feature, test to make sure this works when you take a photo with it.
Make sure the camera flash works.
Check the screen for messed up pixels – the entire screen image should be sharp and clear.
Inspect the charging ports to ensure nothing is amiss. Consider bringing a magnifying glass and flashlight to see them better. Make sure all ports are functional. Ports that are clogged with dust and debris could be a sign the phone wasn’t well taken care of.
Plug in the phone to charge. Make sure the phone recognizes that it’s being charged.
Check the phone’s battery life. Newer iPhones will allow you to check the battery’s health in the Settings. While it’s not horribly expensive to replace the battery, you’ll want to know if the existing battery is in good shape or if you should budget for a replacement in the near future.
The gut check
I’m a big believer in listening to your gut. There are loads of used phones for sale, so there’s no reason to buy from someone who seems off. Things I’m looking for in a seller include the following:
They don’t rush me
All of the above steps take 10-15 minutes tops so there’s no excuse for impatience on their part, especially given the fact that I could be paying hundreds of dollars for this phone.
Their seller profile looks legit
On many used merchandise sites, you can check out the seller’s other listings. If the seller has a bunch of cell phones for sale, it could be a red flag. Most people have 1, or maybe 2 cell phones tops. Someone selling lots of cell phones could be doing so because they’re stealing them and selling them afterwards – this possibility would make be wary of buying from them. On the other hand, if they’re selling their phone, a decorative trinket from their home, and a rototiller on that site, they’re more likely to be a regular person like you, who’s not into anything nefarious.
The phone looks well cared for
I like a used phone that’s been protected by a quality case and screen protector during its lifetime. If someone is willing to invest in these things to protect their phone, they are probably also the kind of person to be careful not to bang it around or drop it. The less wear and tear on the phone, the longer it’s likely to last for you.
Does their story of why they’re selling their phone seem reasonable? Does it make sense?
If they seem fake, forget about their phone and keep looking for another option. You want to buy from someone honest, not a liar who could be deceiving you about the condition or history of the phone they’re selling.
For example, my seller told me he was selling his phone because he got a new one provided to him via his work (when we met, he was using his new phone to text). He told me he used a glass screen protector because it works better in cold winter weather compared to the plastic ones (this is the kind of comment I’d expect a legit buyer who’s actually used the phone to say, and not something I’d expect a phone thief to say).
Sure, there are lots of other potential reasons for him to do and say as he did, but the point I’m trying to make is to ensure what they’ve told you is plausible given what you hear and see when you meet up with them in person.
The bill of sale
Always get a written bill of sale when you buy a used phone. And always ask to see the seller’s photo ID with their address (and take note of this information).
First, you want to have proof that you legitimately came in possession of this phone.
Second, you want to know the identity of the person you bought it from (because a thief isn’t likely to want you to know who they are) – in other words, a seller willing to let you know their identity is less likely to be selling a stolen phone.
Sure, people could be nervous about showing you their ID, thinking maybe you’re trying to pull some kind of identity theft scam. But most reasonable people will understand your need to know they’re a legit seller. Personally, the refusal of a seller to show me photo ID would be deal breaker for me.
Sample used iPhone bill of sale
I’m no lawyer, but this is the bill of sale I used when I purchased my used iPhone. I’m sure a lawyer could make things longer and more robust, but that seemed overkill to me. My main motivation in wanting this signed bill of sale was so that IF the seller reports the phone as stolen AFTER selling it to me, I’ll have the info I need to report them to the police, including their name, address, and maybe even their fingerprints on the bill of sale. My thinking is someone intending to scam me will refuse to provide me with their photo ID (including full legal name and address), thus giving me a clue that I should back out of this sale and keep looking for a better option.
Okay, so here is the bill of sale I used:
THIS SALES AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) dated this ______DD______ day of ____MM_______, 20_YY_
BETWEEN
______________(the “Seller”, printed name)_______________________ of
______________(seller’s full mailing address)_______________________
and
______________(the “Buyer”, printed name)______________________ of
______________(buyer’s address)___________________________________
(1) The Seller agrees to sell to the Buyer on the ___DD___ day of ____MM_____, 20_YY_, the following goods (the “Goods”):
Make and model: iPhone 8
Serial number: XXXXXXXXXXXX (fill this in)
(2) The Seller warrants that they are the sole legal owner of the Goods and have the right to enter into this Agreement.
(3) The Buyer paid for the Goods with the sum of $__________, paid by ____(ex. cash, PayPal, etc.)___________________________.
Seller signature: ___________________________________
Buyer signature: ___________________________________
Witness signature: _________________________________
Other tips for how to buy a used iPhone
When you ask for the seller’s photo ID, ask for a form of ID you’re already very familiar with, so you’ll be able to more easily determine if it’s fake. For this reason, I asked to see their driver’s license – it also contained their full legal name and address, which I could ensure matched what they wrote on the bill of sale.
If paying via PayPal because you want to take advantage of their Buyer Purchase Protection, make sure this policy actually covers your used iPhone purchase. In my case, because the purchase was made in person, PayPal’s Buyer Protection would not apply to me. You can read PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy here.
Where to buy a used iPhone from a private seller
I wanted to see the phone I’d be buying in person, before any money changed hands. Here are some options you can use to find private sellers near enough for an in-person sale:
- Swappa local
- Ebay-classified ads
- Craigslist
- Facebook Marketplace
- Kijiji (Canada only)
Where to buy a used iPhone online
Swappa – For a wider selection of options compared to what you’ll find locally, a nice option is Swappa. Not only can you buy local phones in person, but you can also use the site to buy from someone afar. To keep sellers honest, Swappa obligates their sellers to accept returns if an item delivered is not as advertised. Additionally, Payment is via PayPal (so you should have access to their Buyer Protection guarantee, although DO read their most current version of their policy to ensure this is still the case when you purchase).
Swappa is a very user-friendly site. You can easily filter search results by brand, model, condition, and other features including whether or not it’s an unlocked phone.
Click here to browse phones on Swappa.
Amazon – You can search Amazon for “Renewed iphones” and a whole bunch of options will come up.
If you buy a phone on Amazon, be sure to check the seller’s history to ensure they have a great track record. Also double check the refund and warranty policy for the phone – since you won’t be able to check it out in person before buying, you need to ensure you have recourse if the phone doesn’t meet your expectations.
Buy a used iPhone in a retail store
Finally, most urban locales have shops that specialize in selling used phones. One advantage of going this route is that they’ll likely offer some sort of warranty on your purchase.
If you know anyone else who’d benefit from learning these tips on how to buy a used iPhone, please share this with them.
2023 update: does my used iPhone still work?
I’m not going to keep you in suspense. The answer is a resounding YES! In fact, my husband ALSO bought a used iPhone, so now we both have the same model and both are still going strong!
Needless to say, this is going to be my preferred method of buying an iPhone going forward. If all goes according to plan, this one will last me a few more years, then I’ll go on the hunt for a newer used iPhone to replace it. ?
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