Apple designs and manufactures its products to last and provides industry-leading support for its devices through software updates. This means that the iPhone will last longer than other smartphones, and buying a used iPhone can be a great way to get a smartphone at a reasonable price.
In addition to assessing the physical condition of the iPhone, you need to make sure it is working properly and check the condition of the battery.
Checking a used iPhone for damage:
1. Remove the case and all accessories from the device.
2. Check the display for scratches.
3. Inspect the sides and back of your iPhone for scratches, damage, or dents.
4. Check the Lightning connector for damage.
5. Turn on your iPhone.
You should see the lock screen, welcome screen, or “iPhone locked by owner” message. If the device does not turn on, the battery is likely low. Try charging it. If, after this, the device still does not respond, do not buy it.
When you buy a used iPhone and:
1. See the “Hello” screen:
This means the iPhone has been reset to factory settings, and you won’t be able to check it without setting up the device, including activating it (by entering your iCloud account).
2. See the message “iPhone locked to owner”:
Ask your retailer for your password to disable the Activation Lock feature. Do not purchase a device if the Activation Lock is enabled and the seller cannot disable it.
3. See the main screen – you can start checking the device.
How to check if device components have been replaced:
1. Go to Settings > General > About device.
2. Check your iOS version. If it’s 15.2 or later, depending on the iPhone model and whether any parts were replaced, you may see a “Parts and Service History” section after the serial number.
This is how you can interpret the information in the Parts and Service History section:
If a component is marked as genuine by Apple, it has been replaced with one by an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
If a component is marked as “Unknown”, it means it has been replaced with a non-genuine one, was previously used in another iPhone, or is not working properly.
How to check the battery status when buying a used iPhone:
For iPhone 6 and iOS versions 11.3 and later, the system shows the battery status and tells you whether it needs to be replaced. Information can be found in “Settings > Battery > Battery Health” (for iOS 16.1 or later – Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging).
In the same menu, you can check whether the Battery Charging Optimization feature, designed to prevent sudden shutdowns, is activated (this feature is only available for original Apple batteries).
You can see your current battery capacity and check for important battery notifications, including information about possible battery degradation. Battery status information is not provided for non-original parts.
How to determine if your iPhone is locked to a specific carrier:
Go to Settings > General > About Device.
If the “Carrier Lock” column says “SIM Unlimited,” then everything is fine, and your iPhone can work with any carrier. If the operator’s name is indicated, then the iPhone can only be used with a SIM card from that operator.
Testing various device components:
1. Connect to Wi-Fi:
Try connecting to an available Wi-Fi network to make sure the device’s Wi-Fi module is working properly.
2. Button Test:
After setting up and unlocking your iPhone, press the volume (up and down) buttons, make sure the corresponding confirmation appears on the screen. Use the vibration/sound switch located above the volume buttons and check if confirmation appears on the screen. Press the side lock button to ensure it locks the device.
3. Test the camera:
Open the Camera app and take several photos in different lighting conditions, focusing on different objects. Test the tele and ultra-wide camera features on eligible iPhone models (iPhone 8 Plus and later). Make sure your photos are clear and in focus. Record a video and watch it, paying attention to the quality of the image and sound.
4. Sound Test:
Make sure the vibration/sound switch is in the sound on position. Go to Settings > Sounds (or Settings > Sounds, Haptics) and move the volume slider back and forth a few times. If there is no sound, there may be a problem with the speaker.
5. Microphone test:
Open the Voice Recorder app, start recording, say a few phrases, and then stop recording. When listening to the recording, your voice should be clearly audible. Otherwise, it may indicate a problem with the microphone.
6. Check the display:
In the Settings section, go to Display and Brightness. Move the brightness slider left and right to check its functionality. On new iPhone models, you can also check the originality of the display by the presence of the “True Tone” function. If this function is present, then the display is original.
