Used Phone Buying Checklist

Step 1

Choose the right model

Pick a phone that fits your carrier, budget, and how long you want it to last.

Step 2

Check remaining software & security updates

An iPhone with 2+ years of iOS updates or an Android with active security patches is the floor.

Step 3

Confirm the phone is unlocked

Ask the seller for a screenshot of Settings → General → About showing 'No SIM Restrictions' (iPhone) or carrier-unlocked status (Android).

Step 4

Check IMEI with the carrier

Dial *#06# to get the IMEI. Paste it into your carrier's BYOD checker to confirm it can be activated.

Step 5

Check if the phone is blacklisted, financed, stolen, or lost

Carrier IMEI checks flag most issues. Swappa/Back Market also screen for this.

Step 6

Check battery health

iPhone: Settings → Battery → Battery Health (aim for 85%+). Android: use AccuBattery or settings if available.

Step 7

Inspect screen, cameras, speakers, mic, charging port, buttons, biometrics

Test every camera, both speakers, the mic on a call, all buttons, fingerprint/Face ID, and charging.

Step 8

Confirm no iCloud lock, Google FRP, Samsung account, or activation lock

The seller must sign out and factory reset in front of you, then power back on to a fresh setup screen.

Step 9

Buy from a seller with return protection

Back Market, Swappa, Amazon Renewed, and eBay (with Money Back Guarantee) give you a fallback if the phone is bad.

Step 10

Activate the phone on your carrier

Insert SIM or scan eSIM, follow on-screen prompts, and confirm calls, texts, and data work.