Buying a Used iPhone? 10 Checks Before You Pay

Why checks matter more than the listing

A used iPhone can be great value, but the listing only tells you what the seller wants you to know. A phone that's still tied to someone's Apple Account, reported stolen or quietly repaired with problem parts can turn a good deal into a phone you can't use.

Give yourself time at the meet-up to run through the ten checks below. A genuine seller won't mind. If someone rushes you or refuses, treat that as your answer.

Bring with you: your own SIM card (or be ready to test with Wi-Fi), a Lightning or USB-C cable that fits the model, and a small power bank or nearby outlet.

The 10 checks

1. Meet somewhere safe and public

Choose a busy, well-lit public place during the day, like a mall food court or a coffee shop. Some police services offer designated exchange spots in their parking lots; check your local police service's website to see if there's one near you. Bring someone along if you can, and don't hand over money until every check is done.

2. Confirm the model and storage

Open Settings › General › About. Check that the Model Name and Capacity match the ad. A listing for a Pro with more storage shouldn't turn out to be a standard model with less.

3. Make sure it's signed out and erased

This is the most important check. If the seller's Apple Account is still on the phone, Activation Lock can stop you from ever using it.

1. Open Settings. If you see the seller's name at the top, ask them to tap it and choose Sign Out, entering their password.
2. Then ask them to go to Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Erase All Content and Settings.
3. Once it restarts to the Hello screen, start setting it up. If it asks for the previous owner's Apple Account or says the iPhone is locked to its owner, don't buy it.

4. Check the carrier lock

In Settings › General › About, look for Carrier Lock. You want to see No SIM restrictions. Then insert your SIM and make a quick call.

In Canada, phones sold new since December 2017 must be unlocked, and carriers must unlock older phones free on request. Only the account holder can usually ask the original carrier, so get it sorted before you pay. Read more in phone unlocking in Ontario.

5. Check the IMEI

Find the IMEI in Settings › General › About, or dial *#06#. If the seller has the original box, check that the numbers match. Canada's wireless industry association offers a free online device check that shows whether a phone has been reported lost or stolen. A blocked phone may not work on Canadian networks.

6. Check the battery health

Go to Settings › Battery › Battery Health (or Battery Health & Charging on iPhone 14 and earlier). Note the Maximum Capacity and read the Peak Performance message. On iPhone 15 and later, also check the Cycle Count in Settings › General › About. A low reading isn't a deal-breaker, but factor a battery replacement into what you're willing to pay. Our battery guide explains the numbers.

7. Look at Parts and Service History

On supported models, Settings › General › About includes a Parts and Service History section if parts have been replaced. It may list the screen, battery or camera, and whether each one is listed as an Apple part or flagged as an unknown part. A repair isn't automatically bad, but ask the seller what was done and why.

8. Test the screen and Face ID or Touch ID

Open a plain white image and look for dead spots, tinting or lines. Drag an app icon slowly around every edge to check touch. Then set up Face ID or Touch ID with your own face or finger. If setup fails or shows an error, that's a costly fault to inherit.

9. Test charging

Plug it in with your cable and confirm it starts charging without wiggling. A loose connection or a cable that only works at an angle points to a worn or dirty port. If the model supports MagSafe or wireless charging and the seller has a pad, test that too.

10. Test cameras, speakers, microphones and buttons

• Switch between every rear lens and the front camera, and try the flash.
• Record a short video with sound and play it back.
• Make a call on speaker and on the earpiece.
• Press the volume buttons and side button, and try the Action button or ring switch.
• Connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Found a problem? It may still be worth it

A cracked screen, tired battery or worn charging port doesn't always mean walking away. If the phone is signed out, unlocked and not reported stolen, those are repairable faults. Get a quote before you agree on a price so you know what the real total is. Activation Lock and a blocked IMEI are different: those aren't things a repair can solve.

For more on choosing between used, refurbished and new, see our used phone buying guide.

When to call a technician

If you've bought a used iPhone that needs a new battery, screen or charging port, Woman Wireless On The Go can do the iPhone repair at your home, workplace or parked car across our service area. Send a photo and your model for a free quote before any work starts, and your technician confirms timing when she quotes. Call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247, or book online.

Frequently asked questions

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