What to check before buying a used iPhone: a practical pawnshop-style checklist

Mark Kurkdjian
2 days ago
3 min read

Buying a used iPhone can save you a chunk of money, but skipping a few checks makes for a risky purchase. Do a handful of verification steps and functional tests and you'll avoid common problems that lower resale value or lock you out of the device.

Quick answer

In short: verify the device isn't activation‑locked, confirm the IMEI/ESN is clean for your carrier, test core functions (screen, touch, camera, speakers, Wi‑Fi, and cellular), check battery health in Settings, and ask for proof of purchase or original receipt. If anything looks like a refurbishment, water damage, or a locked account, price it lower or walk away. When the shop evaluates a phone at the counter, the shop will prioritize activation status, IMEI checks, and battery/cosmetic condition as deal-breakers.

Use this simple checklist

Verify IMEI/ESN and carrier status
Confirm Activation Lock / iCloud is signed out
Power on and test calling, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and cameras
Check battery health in Settings > Battery
Confirm charger, cable, and any included accessories
Ask for receipt, original box, or transfer of ownership

How to verify activation and ownership

Ask the seller to sign out of iCloud and show the phone booted to the home screen; if it asks for the previous owner's Apple ID it's activation-locked and unsellable for most buyers. Use the phone's Settings and the IMEI/ESN to check carrier lock and blacklist status via a reputable online check or by asking your carrier. Request any proof of purchase you can and a photo ID from a private seller; a shop will already have procedures to document chain of ownership.

If a device is activation-locked or still linked to another Apple ID, the offer should drop sharply because the device can't be used or resold without the original account credentials.

What to run through in person

When you have the phone in hand, run through core features so you don't miss hidden faults: make a short call and test mobile data, connect to Wi‑Fi, play audio to check speakers, open the front and rear cameras, and test Bluetooth pairing. Check Face ID or Touch ID setup and confirm sensors and buttons respond.

Also open Settings and look at general > About for the model and serial; in Battery > Battery Health you'll get an idea of maximum capacity and whether the battery needs service. These functional checks pick up most problems a shop cares about: anything that affects immediate use or resale speed.

How condition and history change the offer

A clean, active device with proof of purchase and healthy battery sells faster and gets a better offer. Missing accessories, a reported theft/blacklist, activation lock, or significant water damage will push the value down or stop a sale. Devices with replaced screens or non‑Apple parts may still be usable, but they carry additional risk: repairs might fail or mask deeper damage, so the shop discounts accordingly.

Refurbished units from reputable programs are easier to accept than unknown "as repaired" phones from a private seller. Also consider the model's resale demand—older models slow resale, which reduces the counter offer even if the phone works fine.

What changes the offer most (tradeoffs to weigh)

Activation lock or iCloud tie downs are the biggest red flag; they typically render a device unsellable until cleared.
Blacklisted IMEI/ESN or carrier-lock to a different market makes unlocking or resale harder and lowers offers.
Poor battery health reduces usable life and will produce a lower valuation.
Missing receipt or questionable provenance increases fraud risk and discounts the offer; a shop mitigates this with lower loan amounts or refusal.

When you bargain, be ready to accept a lower price for quicker resale or pay more if the seller provides warranty, original box, and clean provenance.