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Key Things You Must Know When Buying a Used iPhone

Buying a Used iPhone: Today, there’s a large market for previously used iPhones, and they’re seemingly sold everywhere, including Amazon and Apple’s website. However, it can be tricky to find the right purchase if you don’t know what to look for in a used iPhone. To help you out, here’s a checklist of things that you must find out before transferring your money. 

Recently, Apple has made it hassle-free to use the iPhone with a wireless carrier of their choice. Each new model of the iPhone in the US works seamlessly with all the major carriers. However, if you purchase a used iPhone and it is an older model, such as iPhone X or older, it is important to check whether the phone is locked to a specific carrier. 

For instance, the iPhone X has two models. One of the models, the iPhone X A1865, is a combination of the CDMA and GSM models, and it works wonderfully with any carrier. However, the other model, the GSM-only iPhone X A1901, only works with T-Mobile and AT&T, but not with Sprint or Verizon. The bottom line is that you must thoroughly check the details of the phone and ensure the used iPhone is compatible with the carrier that you wish to use. 

To check whether your iPhone is locked to a carrier, you need to go to Settings on your iPhone > click General > select About. Then, you have to scroll down and see the Carrier Lock section. If it says ‘No Sim Restrictions’, your phone is unlocked. If it is locked, you can iPhone carrier unlock by following the unlocking standards of the specific carrier. 

  • Ensure the phone’s battery is in good condition 

If you’re purchasing a used iPhone from a private seller, the seller might be trying to get rid of the phone because the battery is faulty. You must remember to check the battery health before purchasing it. 

The only way to check if the battery is working perfectly is by charging and using it with other devices. However, you can go to the Settings app to assess battery health with Apple products. If the phone is running iOS 11.3 or later, you can go to Settings > select Battery and tap Battery health. Then, you can see the maximum capacity of the battery. 

  • Make sure the iPhone is not water damaged 

The new models of iPhone are resistant to water but water damage used to be a major concern for the older versions. You may want to make sure that your used phone isn’t damaged. 

If you are purchasing an iPhone 6 or later, you can remove the SIM tray and check for signs of red inside the slot. The red will indicate that the Liquid Contact Indicator of the phone has been activated. 

As for iPhone 5 models, the water damage indicator is found in the charging port.

  • Check the IMEI number to make sure the phone isn’t stolen 

Everyone dreams of owning an iPhone, and therefore, there’s always the risk that the iPhone you are purchasing might be stolen. If the phone is stolen, it will be Activation Locked and won’t even respond to your SIM card. The risk of buying a stolen phone is greatest when purchasing from a private seller. 

To ensure your second-hand iPhone isn’t stolen, you need to check the phone’s IMEI number. If you have physical access to the phone before buying, you can go to the Settings app to Find the IMEI number. When you’re in Settings > tap General > tap About. Then, you need to scroll down and see the IMEI number listed. 

  • Besides the IMEI number, check the serial number 

Besides the IMEI number, you can also check the phone’s serial number to ensure it isn’t stolen. Apple issues a serial number to all its phones for warranty validation. You can check the serial number of the iPhone by going to the Settings > tapping General > tapping About. 

By finding out the serial number, you can get to know details like where and when the phone was manufactured. You can even verify the device’s specifications that the vendor gave you and check Apple’s website for support and service coverage. 

So, these are some of the most crucial things that you must check when purchasing a second-hand iPhone. If you miss any of these, you might end up with an iPhone that doesn’t work or, worse, a stolen phone.

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