A used iPhone is a smart buy when you know what you're getting. These six checks take about ten minutes and cover everything that matters.
1. The phone isn't locked to someone else
Open Settings and tap the name at the top. If someone else's Apple Account is signed in, or Find My is on, the phone is still tied to them. It must be signed out and reset before you pay. A phone that asks for another person's password after a reset (Activation Lock) can't be used.
2. It works on your carrier
Go to Settings > General > About and look for Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means it's unlocked and works with any carrier. The same screen shows the IMEI, which you can check against the lost-and-stolen list your carrier can look up for you.
3. The battery health is a number, not a word
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. You'll see a percentage: 100% is new, and 80% is where Apple considers a battery worn. Most people are happy at 85% and above. More on battery health.
4. You know which parts have been replaced
On recent iPhones, Settings > General > About shows Parts and Service History. It lists any screen, battery or camera that has been replaced and whether the part is genuine. Replaced parts aren't a problem when the seller tells you up front.
5. Everything works
Spend two minutes: set up Face ID or Touch ID, take a photo with every camera, make a call on speaker, charge it, and drag an app slowly across the whole screen to spot dead areas. Check the buttons and the silent switch or Action button.
6. You can send it back
Ask what happens if something goes wrong in the first month, and after that. A clear return window and a written warranty matter more than a small discount.
What we check before a phone reaches you
Every phone we sell is signed out, reset and unlocked. It passes a 32-point test covering the screen, battery, cameras, microphones, speakers, charging port, Face ID or Touch ID, buttons, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular. A person grades how it looks, and the measured battery band is shown on the listing before you buy. Premium phones use original parts; Value phones name the one issue on the listing. Every phone comes with a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns, and when you're ready to move on, we'll buy it back.
Browse what we have in stock on the all phones page, or read the full buying guide.