{"id":8577,"date":"2017-02-28T11:59:51","date_gmt":"2017-02-28T19:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.hellotech.com\/?p=8577"},"modified":"2021-06-13T06:49:36","modified_gmt":"2021-06-13T13:49:36","slug":"buying-used-iphones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hellotech.com\/blog\/buying-used-iphones","title":{"rendered":"Apple Just Made it Harder for Anyone Buying Used iPhones"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Buying a used iPhone 7<\/a> selling at a rock-bottom price on Ebay? Proceed with caution because now it\u2019s more difficult to know if the said device is stolen or not. You typically won\u2019t be able to use an iPhone or iPad that\u2019s still locked to its owner\u2019s account (as the case for stolen Apple devices). That\u2019s why you need the Activation Lock<\/a> checker to determine that status before buying. The bad news is that Apple recently scrapped the service (including the checker page<\/a>) for reasons beyond our knowledge. Now you won’t know how to tell apart refurbished iPhones and used iPhones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No More Easy Way to Spot Stolen iPads\/iPhones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Previously available via iCloud.com, Activation Lock checker used an iPhone or iPad\u2019s IMEI number to determine its Activation Lock status. In other words, it offered a straightforward means to spot a stolen Apple device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the removal of the feature, you\u2019ll have to find other means to find out where your mobile device came from. So if you\u2019re buying a secondhand iPad online, you may have to ask the seller for the device\u2019s IMEI number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you retrieve that info, verify the IMEI using any of these carrier\u2019s own checkers: T-Mobile<\/a>, AT&T<\/a>, and Verizon<\/a>. You could also use third-party IMEI checkers like that of Swappa<\/a>, an electronics buy\/sell service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While all these tools can help determine whether a device is stolen, they won\u2019t tell you whether the iPhone\/iPad is still associated with the previous owner\u2019s Apple account. Keep in mind that it\u2019s possible to have a \u201cclean\u201d IMEI even though the device may still be user-locked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Used iPhones vs. Refurbished iPhones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With all the factors considered, you may be choosing between a used iPhone or one that is refurbished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although we\u2019ve seen folks use both terms interchangeably, they actually have different meanings. Used<\/em> iPhones typically mean they\u2019re sold without getting tested or fixed. They often don\u2019t come with guarantees either. Do you now see why used iPhones sell at unbelievably low prices? Well, no value has been added back to them in the first place!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, refurbished<\/em> iPhones are often repaired, tested, and cleaned. If they came back to a seller damaged, they\u2019d be fixed before being resold. They\u2019ve also been tested (if they work) and will often come with a warranty as if they\u2019re new units. Expect a refurbished handset to function like it did when it was first unboxed. The best thing about it? These phones are often deeply discounted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, getting a refurbished iPhone may be a better deal than buying a used one. You\u2019ll worry less about the device and be reassured that it won\u2019t be linked to its previous owner (and risk you not being able to use it). It doesn\u2019t always mean, however, that a refurbished handset won\u2019t have its own issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest concern you\u2019ll encounter purchasing refurbished devices is whether they\u2019ve actually been refurbished or not. Some sellers claim they sell refurbished Apple devices even though the gadgets haven\u2019t been competently fixed. You\u2019ll be wise to do your homework about the store you’re buying from and insist on a warranty before purchasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a little short on cash and you\u2019re itching to try the latest Apple technology, though, you\u2019d probably settle for the cheaper option. It\u2019s a perfectly rational choice in particular circumstances. When that\u2019s the spot you find yourself in, Apple offers a few pieces of advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple\u2019s Guide for Anyone Buying Used iPhones\/iPads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s your responsibility to make sure that a pre-owned Apple device is no longer linked to its previous owner when you buy it. To put it simply: you\u2019re not supposed to take ownership of any used iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone, or Apple Watch until the data has been \u201cerased\u201d by the original owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To check if the phone has been erased (or not), Apple\u2019s recommends you do the following steps before purchasing Apple devices outside authorized Apple stores and resellers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Turn on the device.<\/strong> Do you see the passcode lock screen (the one saying \u201cslide to unlock\u201d) or the Home screen? If you do, the device clearly hasn\u2019t been erased. Ask the seller to do so via Settings<\/strong> > General<\/strong> > Reset<\/strong> > and then choose Erase All Content and Settings<\/strong><\/em>.<\/li>
  2. Set up the device.<\/strong> Once the iPad\/iPhone has been completely erased, begin with the device setup process. As you select the language and country or region as well as connect it to a network, pay attention if the device asks for the previous owner\u2019s Apple ID and password. Hand it back to the seller when it does.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In the end, Apple\u2019s foolproof way to determine when a used iPhone, iPad, or iPad is ready for a new owner is if the gadget asks you to set it up the first time you turn it on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Considering all these changes, it\u2019s clear you\u2019re better off buying a used iPad\/iPhone from someone you can meet in person. If he or she can\u2019t be there to help you with the Apple device\u2019s initial setup process, you\u2019d be wise to exercise caution before handing over your money.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Buying a used iPhone 7 selling at a rock-bottom price on Ebay? Proceed with caution because now it\u2019s more difficult to know if the said device is stolen or not. You typically won\u2019t be able to use an iPhone or iPad that\u2019s still locked to its owner\u2019s account (as the case for stolen Apple devices). That\u2019s why you need the Activation Lock checker to determine that status before buying. The bad news is that Apple recently scrapped the service (including the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8579,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17582,17587],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mobile","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nApple Just Made it Harder for Anyone Buying Used iPhones - The Plug - HelloTech<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Apple recently scrapped Activation Lock checker which was able to spot used iPhones that may have been stolen. 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