Home / Tools / Used phone checklist

Used phone checklist

Tick items off as you go. Your ticks are kept on this device only.

Why each check matters, with the official Apple, Samsung and Google instructions: Before you buy a used phone

Before you meet

Ask for the IMEI
Ask the seller for the IMEI and look it up in our IMEI model finder to confirm the model.Check coverage (iPhone)
Enter the serial number at checkcoverage.apple.com to see the model and any remaining Apple warranty.Check stolen or blocked status
Ask for the original receipt or other proof of purchase. Public block-list checks only show phones that a participating operator or approved company reported, so a clean result is not proof (see stolen phones).

In person

Match the IMEI
Dial *#06# on the phone. The IMEI shown should match the box, the seller's listing and, on phones that have one, the SIM tray.iPhone: Activation Lock
Open Settings and tap the name at the top. If an Apple Account is signed in, ask the seller to sign out (Find My must be turned off), then erase the phone in front of you: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.Android: Factory Reset Protection
Ask the seller to remove their Google account (Settings → Accounts or Passwords & accounts) and then factory reset the phone in front of you. After the reset, the setup screen should not ask for the previous owner's account.Test with your SIM
Insert your SIM, make a call and check mobile data. This shows whether the phone is network-locked.Screen and buttons
Check for dead pixels, touch dead zones and burn-in on a plain white and a plain grey screen. Press every button.Cameras, mics and speakers
Take photos with each camera, record a short video, and play it back through the speaker.Charging and battery
Plug in a charger and confirm it charges. Check battery health (see battery).Biometrics
Set up Face ID, the fingerprint sensor or face unlock to confirm it works.Parts history (iPhone)
Settings → General → About → Parts and Service History shows replaced parts on supported models.

Before you pay

Receipt
Ask for the original receipt or proof of purchase.Software updates
Check how long the model still gets updates on software update end dates.

If a seller will not sign out of their account or erase the phone in front of you, do not buy it. A locked phone cannot be set up by a new owner.

Used phone checklist

Before you meet

In person

Before you pay

The FixIndex Brief