What To Ask When Buying A Used Iphone May 2026

Ask if it is "factory unlocked" or tied to a specific carrier. A locked phone will only work with the original carrier's SIM card.

Ask the seller to confirm they have signed out of iCloud and turned off "Find My iPhone". An iCloud-locked device is unusable without the original owner's credentials. what to ask when buying a used iphone

Ask for the "Maximum Capacity" found in Settings > Battery > Battery Health . A percentage below 80% generally indicates the battery will need replacement soon. Ask if it is "factory unlocked" or tied

Use this unique identifier to check if the phone has been reported lost or stolen on sites like Stolen Phone Checker. Essential Hands-On Checklist what to ask when buying a used iphone