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Buying used phones

Buying a used phone: a checklist before you pay

A practical checklist for buying a used phone: IMEI, lock status, accounts, condition and payment, so you do not end up with a phone that cannot be used.

By Peter | Published | Last updated | 3 min read

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Used phones can be great value. They can also be a headache if the phone is locked, blocked or tied to someone else’s account. Use this checklist before you pay.

Before you meet

  1. Ask for the IMEI. Ask the seller to send the IMEI, taken by dialing *#06#. See how to find an IMEI.
  2. Run a check. Use the free IMEI check for the model and lock status. A full report adds a blacklist check.
  3. Ask if it is paid off. A phone with a balance can be blocked by the carrier later.
  4. Ask which carrier it is locked to. Locked phones may need an unlock, which is a cost and a wait.
  5. Meet in a safe public place. Daytime, with other people around.

At the meeting

  • Compare the IMEI. Dial *#06# on the phone and compare it with the number you checked. Also compare it with Settings and the SIM tray.
  • Check the accounts. The phone should be signed out of the previous owner’s accounts. Watch for an Activation Lock screen on iPhones, or a Google account lock on Android. We do not remove these locks, and no honest service can promise to. If you see one, do not buy.
  • Test with your SIM. Insert your own SIM, make a call, and use mobile data. This tells you more than anything else.
  • Check the screen. Look for dead pixels, burn in, and a damaged touch layer. Open a white page and a black page.
  • Test the buttons and ports. Volume, power, charging, speaker, microphone and headphone connection.
  • Test the cameras. Front and back, with flash and video.
  • Test Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
  • Check the battery. Look at the battery health in settings if it is shown. A worn battery is a repair cost.
  • Look for signs of repair. Gaps around the screen, mismatched screws, or non-standard parts. Repaired phones are not always bad, but the price should reflect it.

Paying

  • Pay in a way that gives you protection if possible. Cash is hard to get back.
  • Get a receipt that names the seller, the phone and the IMEI.
  • Do not hand over money until all of the checks above pass.

If the phone is carrier locked

A locked phone only works with one carrier. You have two main routes:

  • Ask the carrier for an unlock. It is often free if you qualify, but the carrier may only deal with the account holder. Check your carrier’s current policy.
  • Use a paid unlock for eligible phones. We tell you if the phone is eligible before you pay and refund you in full if the unlock fails.

Read the official carrier pages: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon.

Red flags

  • The seller will not let you test a SIM.
  • The IMEI does not match.
  • The price is too good to be true.
  • The seller is in a hurry.
  • The phone is signed in to someone’s account and they cannot sign out.
  • The IMEI check shows lost, stolen or blacklisted. We refuse such phones and you should not buy them.

Summary

Check the IMEI, test with your own SIM, make sure accounts are signed out, and pay only when everything checks out. A few minutes of checking saves a lot of trouble.

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