How to check a used phone before buying: full checklist
Updated August 18, 2026
Ten minutes of inspection at the meeting saves you from 90% of trouble. Here's the full checklist — from the body to carrier locks. Print it or keep it open on your phone.
Before the meeting
Ask in the chat for a photo of the powered-on screen, the IMEI number (dial *#06# on the spot) and battery health info. Refusing to share the IMEI is a serious red flag.
Check the IMEI on the manufacturer's site (warranty status) and in stolen-phone databases via online IMEI checkers.
Body and screen
Inspect the body under bright light: cracks near screws and pry marks mean it's been opened. Uneven gaps between screen and frame mean the screen was likely replaced (possibly with a copy).
Screen: show a white image at full brightness (spots, yellowing, burn-in), drag a finger across the entire surface (dead touch zones), test brightness at minimum and maximum.
Battery and hardware
On iPhone: Settings → Battery → Battery Health — below 80% means a replacement soon. On Android, check via service codes or apps like AccuBattery.
Test everything that commonly fails: cameras (take a photo with each), speakers and microphone (voice recorder + a call), the charging port (cable should fit snugly), buttons, Face ID / fingerprint, Wi-Fi and mobile data.
Locks — the most important part
The iPhone must be signed out of the seller's iCloud in front of you: Settings → [name] → Sign Out. "Sold with account" or "I'll sign out later" = don't buy. A phone with someone else's Apple ID is a brick.
Android: ask the seller to factory-reset the phone in front of you and set it up from scratch — this reveals any Google FRP lock. Also make sure the phone isn't financed or carrier-locked.
Papers and accessories
A box with a matching IMEI, a receipt or warranty card is extra protection — both against stolen devices and for future resale.
After buying, immediately sign in with your own account and set your own passcode — until then the deal isn't finished.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a phone's IMEI before buying?
Dial *#06# on the phone at the meeting and compare it with the IMEI on the box and in the menu. Check the number on the manufacturer's site (warranty status) and in online stolen-device databases. A seller who refuses to show the IMEI is a red flag.
Why shouldn't I buy an iPhone with someone else's iCloud?
A phone with an active foreign Apple ID can be locked by its owner at any moment and becomes unusable. The seller must sign out of iCloud in front of you before you hand over the money.
Is it OK to buy a phone without box and receipt?
Yes, but at a discount and after a more thorough IMEI and lock check. Missing accessories raise the risk of a stolen device and lower the resale value.