If you want to buy a pre-owned iPhone

Find out how to inspect a pre-owned iPhone.

Why buy a pre-owned iPhone?

Apple designs products to last and provides industry-leading device support for software updates. This means iPhone lasts longer than other smartphones,* and a pre-owned iPhone can be a great way to own an iPhone.

If you’re buying online

• Buy from a reliable seller.

• Understand the return policy. Make sure you understand how long you’ll have to return the iPhone (if necessary), for what reasons you can return it and how to return it.

• Find out if the seller certifies their pre-owned devices and what the process entails. You should be able to find out about their certification process and what they inspect.

• If you can, find out if the iPhone has any physical damage, the health of the battery, and the parts and service history of the iPhone.

• If the iPhone is Activation Locked, don’t buy it. Find out about Activation Lock.

• Inspect the iPhone when you get it. If it isn’t in the condition you expected, return it.

If you’re buying in person or inspecting after purchase

You should be able to inspect the physical condition of an iPhone and if it’s working correctly. You should also know the health of the battery.

Check for damage

Serious damage may affect the functionality of the iPhone.

1. If necessary, remove the case and any accessories from the iPhone.

2. Check for scratches on the display.

3. Check the sides and back of the iPhone for scratches, scuffs and dents.

4. Inspect the Lightning connector for damage or debris.

Turn on the iPhone

You should see either the Lock Screen, the Hello screen or the iPhone Locked to Owner screen.

If the iPhone won’t turn on, the battery could be drained. Try to charge the iPhone. If the battery won’t charge, don’t buy the iPhone.

If you see the Lock Screen

Unlock the iPhone by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (on an iPhone with Face ID) or press the Home button (on other iPhone models).

If the iPhone is protected with Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode and you’re with the seller, ask them to erase the iPhone so you can test it. They may need to follow the steps in What to do before you sell, give away or trade in your iPhone or iPad.

When you unlock the iPhone and you see the Home screen, you can start testing a few things.

If you see the Hello screen

If you see “Hello” on the screen in various languages, the iPhone has been erased. You won’t be able to test it in this state, so you’ll need to set it up, including activating it.

Find out how to set up iPhone

When the iPhone has been set up and you can see the Home Screen, you can start testing a few things.

If you see the iPhone Locked to Owner screen

If you see iPhone Locked to Owner when you turn on or wake the iPhone and you’re with the seller, ask them to enter their password to turn off Activation Lock. Activation Lock is designed to prevent anyone other than the owner from using their iPhone.

Don’t buy an iPhone if Activation Lock is enabled.

If you bought the iPhone online and you see iPhone Locked to Owner on the screen, return the iPhone.

Find out more about Activation Lock

When you see the Home Screen

When you see the Home Screen, you’re ready to test a few things on the iPhone.

Find out if any parts have been replaced

1. Go to Settings > General > About.

2. Check the iOS version. If it’s iOS 15.2 or later, depending on the iPhone model and if a part has been replaced, you may see a Parts and Service History section displayed after the serial number.

Here’s how to understand the Parts and Service History section:

• If a part is labelled Genuine Apple Part, the part has been replaced with a genuine Apple part using genuine Apple parts and processes.

• If a part is labelled Unknown Part, this means the installation is incomplete, or the part was replaced with a non-genuine part, was used or installed previously in another iPhone, or isn’t functioning as expected.

• Using non-genuine batteries may lead to safety issues

• Find out about genuine iPhone cameras

• Find out about genuine iPhone displays

• Find out more about iPhone parts and service history

Check the health of the battery

For iPhone 6 and later, iOS 11.3 and later will show battery health and recommend if you need to replace the battery. You can find these in Settings > Battery > Battery Health (with iOS 16.1 or later, find these in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging).

You can see if the performance management feature, which manages maximum performance dynamically to prevent unexpected shutdowns, is turned on (this information is only available for batteries replaced using genuine Apple parts and processes).

You can view the battery’s maximum capacity and if there are any important battery messages, including whether the battery’s health has degraded. Battery health information isn’t available for unknown or non-genuine batteries.

Find out more about iPhone battery health

Find out if the iPhone is locked to a network provider

Go to Settings > General > About. If “No SIM restrictions” appears next to Network Provider Lock, the iPhone is unlocked. If you can see a network provider, this iPhone can only be used with that network provider.

Find out about unlocking an iPhone for use with a different network provider

Connect to Wi-Fi

Try to connect to a Wi-Fi network if you have access to one.

If you decide not to buy the iPhone or to return it, make sure you forget the Wi-Fi networks.

Check the buttons

1. With the iPhone set up and unlocked, press the volume up and volume down buttons and make sure the on-screen confirmation appears.

2. Use the Ring/Silent switch and make sure the on-screen confirmation appears.

3. Press the side button. It should lock the iPhone.

Test the camera

1. Open the Camera app and take a few pictures.

   • Take photos in low and bright light, tapping the screen on the area you want to be in focus.

   • Test the Telephoto camera and the Ultra Wide camera on iPhone models that have them.

2. Check the images and make sure they are sharp and in focus.

3. Take a video and watch it, checking again for any issues.

If necessary, find out how to use the camera in iPhone camera basics.

Test the speakers

1. Move the Ring/Silent switch forwards – towards the device’s display – so the orange section isn’t showing.

2. Go to Settings > Sounds (or Settings > Sounds & Haptics) and drag the Ringtone and Alert Volume slider back and forth a few times. If you can’t hear any sound, there could be an issue with the speaker.

Find out about the Ring/Silent switch

Test the microphone

1. Open the Voice Memos app.

2. Tap the Record button, say a few words, then stop the recording.

3. When you play back the memo, you should hear your voice clearly. If you can’t, there could be an issue with the microphone.

Check the display

1. In the Settings app, tap Display & Brightness.

2. Drag the slider to the right or left to adjust the brightness.