couple looking at smartphone outside
Buying used electronics, like iPhones, tin can save you a lot of money.
Justin Lambert/Getty Images
  • If yous're looking to buy a used or refurbished iPhone, you should take a few things into consideration get-go.
  • Virtually modern iPhones work with any carrier, simply if y'all're buying an older used iPhone, check to make certain it's compatible with your cellular company.
  • You should ensure a used iPhone isn't stolen or Activation Locked past checking the IMEI or inserting a SIM carte du jour.
  • Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories .

The latest smartphones tin can be breathtakingly expensive, and much of the blame can be laid at Apple's feet – when it began selling the iPhone X for $999 in 2017, the company normalized pricing that has spread beyond the smartphone manufacture.

You tin avoid taking such a big chunk out of your pocket by ownership a pre-owned or refurbished model, if you lot're careful about what you buy.

v things to know before you buy a used iPhone

Keep these things in mind when buying a used or refurbished iPhone of whatever model.

A refurbished iPhone is a safer bet than used

There's a large marketplace for previously used iPhones. You lot can buy used iPhones from private sellers, but refurbished phones are as well sold seemingly everywhere, at retailers like Swappa, Amazon (Amazon's refurbished phones are chosen Renewed), and fifty-fifty Apple'due south own site.

A used telephone is exactly that – used – and it commonly comes every bit-is without a warranty. A refurbished telephone, on the other mitt, has been tested to make sure it'southward working properly, defective parts have been replaced, and it comes with a warranty. In other words, refurbs are similar new, though they might have some cosmetic blemishes like scratches on the instance. You can more often than not count on the battery existence either in excellent condition or newly replaced.

tech hands working on smartphone replacing parts refurbished
A refurbished phone is a better selection because any faulty parts have been stock-still or replaced.
Alexander Egizarov / EyeEm/Getty Images

Check to make certain the iPhone volition work with your carrier

In recent years, Apple has made information technology easy to employ the iPhone with any wireless carrier – every model of each new version in the U.s.a. works with all major carriers. But if you're buying an iPhone X or older, the model number tin can thing.

For the iPhone X, for case, there are two models: The iPhone X A1865 is a combination GSM and CDMA model that works on any carrier, while the iPhone X A1901 is GSM-just, intended for carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile, but not Verizon or Dart. The lesser line is to check the details and make certain the used phone is compatible with the carrier you desire to apply.

Make sure the iPhone isn't stolen

There's always a risk that a used iPhone has been stolen, which means it might be Activation Locked and won't respond to your SIM carte du jour. The risk is greatest when you buy a phone from a individual seller because most reputable retail and reseller sites will check this for you lot.

To brand sure that your potential iPhone hasn't been reported stolen, you tin can cheque the phone's IMEI number. If you're meeting with a seller and have physical access to the phone, find the IMEI number in the Settings app. In Settings, tap «General» and and so «About.» Curl down until you see the IMEI number listed – plug the number into either CTIA's Stolen Phone Checker or the IMEI Check managed by reseller Swappa.

Make sure the battery is reliable

One of the most common reasons why a private seller is trying to get rid of an old iPhone is that the bombardment no longer works effectively, so you should bank check the battery health before buying it. With other portable devices the but manner to know for sure if the bombardment still works is to try charging and using information technology, just with Apple products, there'due south a style to assess the battery health in the Settings app.

Equally long as the used phone is running iOS 11.3 or later, open Settings and and then choose «Battery.» Tap «Battery Health» and check the bombardment's maximum capacity.

Make sure the telephone isn't water damaged

The almost recent iPhone generations are water-resistant, simply water damage is a existent concern for older generations. Yous might want to ensure your used iPhone hasn't been water damaged.

If yous're ownership an iPhone half-dozen or later, remove the SIM tray and look for signs of red inside the tray slot – that indicates the telephone's Liquid Contact Indicator has been activated. (The iPhone 5's water damage indicator is in the charging port, but that phone is far besides old to consider buying used.)

iphone sim card tray
If the iPhone uses a SIM bill of fare, cheque to brand sure information technology'southward not h2o-damaged.
Mikhail Artamonov/Getty Images

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

  • How to wipe an iPhone that you're looking to sell or give abroad, or wipe a lost iPhone remotely

  • Not all Apple Watches piece of work with every iPhone – here'southward a breakdown of which Watches are compatible with which iPhones

  • How to rails your iPhone's location when it's missing or stolen, or track the location of someone else's iPhone

  • How to set up upwards Face ID on your iPhone to increment the security of your device and data

  • How to check your iPhone battery'due south health in 3 simple steps, so that y'all know when it's time for a replacement