How to Check a Second-Hand iPhone Before You Buy: A Checklist for South Africa
Buying a used iPhone from a private seller? Run through this step-by-step checklist first: Activation Lock, IMEI, model number, parts history, battery, screen, Face ID, cameras and more.
A second-hand iPhone can be one of the best-value phones you’ll ever buy. It can also be an expensive mistake if it’s locked to someone else’s account, has a tired battery, or has been repaired with parts that don’t work properly. The good news: an iPhone tells you a lot about itself if you know where to look.
Key takeaways
- Never buy an iPhone that shows “iPhone Locked to Owner”: it’s still tied to the previous owner’s Apple Account.
- Match the IMEI on the phone, the box and the proof of purchase.
- Parts and Service History shows whether the screen, battery or cameras have been replaced, and with what.
- Check battery health, then test the screen, Face ID, cameras, speakers, buttons, charging and signal yourself.
Before you meet: questions to ask
- Which exact model and storage size is it?
- What is the battery health, and has the battery or screen ever been replaced?
- Do you have the proof of purchase or the original box?
- Has it been signed out of iCloud and erased?
Vague or changing answers are a warning sign before you even see the phone.
1. Make sure it isn’t locked to someone else
This is the single most important check. If Find My was left on, the phone is protected by Activation Lock and won’t work for anyone without the previous owner’s Apple Account password. Apple’s advice for buyers:
- Turn the phone on. If you see the passcode screen or the Home Screen, it hasn’t been erased. Ask the seller to sign out of their Apple Account and erase it in front of you (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings).
- Start setting it up. If you see an “iPhone Locked to Owner” screen, it’s still linked to their account. Don’t buy it until the seller removes it.
- The phone is ready for you when you reach the Hello screen.
2. Check the IMEI matches
Every iPhone has a unique IMEI number. Find it in Settings > General > About, or dial *#06#. It should match the box and the proof of purchase. A phone reported lost or stolen may be blocked from mobile networks, so a matching paper trail matters.
3. Read the model number
In Settings > General > About, tap the model number until it shows a code that starts with a letter. The first letter says something about the phone’s history:
- M: sold new.
- F: refurbished by Apple or a network.
- N: a replacement device issued by Apple.
- P: a personalised (engraved) device.
None of these is a problem in itself, but it should match what the seller tells you.
4. Look at Parts and Service History
With iOS 15.2 and later, a repaired iPhone shows a Parts and Service History section in Settings > General > About. Depending on the model it covers the battery, display, logic board and cameras (iPhone 12 and later support all of these). Each part is labelled:
- Genuine: repaired with genuine Apple parts and processes.
- Unknown: a non-genuine part, or one that isn’t working as expected.
- Unverified: the logic board was replaced before, which can affect some features.
- Used: the part was previously used or installed in another iPhone.
No section at all usually means the phone hasn’t been repaired.
5. Check the battery health
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Look at Maximum Capacity and whether there’s a Service message. As a rough guide, 85% and above is comfortable for a full day; below 80%, budget for a replacement. Our iPhone battery health guide explains the numbers in detail.
6. Test the screen properly
- Set brightness to full and look at a white screen for dead pixels, marks or yellow patches.
- Look at a dark screen for faint images that don’t go away (burn-in). Every iPhone from the iPhone 12 onwards, and the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, uses an OLED screen, where this can happen with heavy use.
- Drag an app icon slowly across the whole screen to check touch works everywhere.
- Check that True Tone appears in Control Centre or under Settings > Display & Brightness. A missing True Tone option can point to a replaced screen.
7. Face ID or Touch ID
Set up Face ID or Touch ID with your own face or finger and unlock the phone a few times. If setup fails, the sensors may have been damaged or disturbed in a repair.
8. Cameras and flash
Switch between every lens (0.5×, 1× and telephoto on Pro models), take a photo and a short video with each, try the front camera and turn on the flash. Look for blurry spots, focus that “hunts”, or rattling when the phone moves.
9. Speakers and microphones
Play music from the bottom speaker and a video through the earpiece. Record a voice memo and play it back, then make a short call on your own SIM to check both ends of the conversation.
10. Buttons and switches
Press the side button and both volume buttons, and try the Ring/Silent switch or the Action button. On iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 models with Camera Control, check that button too.
11. Charging
Plug it in with your own cable and make sure it charges straight away. On iPhone 12 and later, try a MagSafe or wireless charger if you have one.
12. Connectivity
Insert your SIM card and check you get signal and mobile data. Then connect to Wi-Fi, pair Bluetooth earphones and open Maps to check GPS finds your location.
13. Signs of water damage
iPhones have a Liquid Contact Indicator visible in the SIM tray slot. Shine a light in: it normally looks white or silver, and turns red if it’s been in contact with liquid.
14. The body
Check the frame for dents, the back glass for cracks, and the camera lens covers for chips. Small scratches are normal on a used phone; cracks and bends are not.
15. Get it in writing
Ask for an invoice or a written note with the IMEI, the price and the seller’s details. In South Africa, businesses that deal in second-hand goods must be registered with SAPS under the Second-Hand Goods Act, so a dealer should be able to give you their registration details.
If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is. Walk away from a seller who won’t let you check the phone, won’t erase it in front of you, or can’t show where it came from.
The easier way: buy from a dealer that checks for you
Doing all of this yourself takes time, and some faults only show up with proper testing tools. That’s why every phone we sell goes through an 80+ point diagnostic test with M360, professional phone-testing software, before it’s listed. It tests the screen and touch, battery health, cameras, Face ID or Touch ID, speakers and microphones, buttons, sensors, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, and our technicians check the body by hand. See how we check every device.
- Original, and logged against our SAPS Second-Hand Goods Dealers licence.
- Factory reset with a secure data erase, so it reaches you clean and free of any previous owner’s account.
- Listed with its own battery health and photos of the actual device.
- Covered by a 6-month warranty and 7-day returns, with free delivery nationwide.
Second-hand iPhone FAQs
Is it safe to buy a second-hand iPhone in South Africa?
Yes, if you check it properly or buy from a registered dealer. The biggest risks are Activation Lock, a phone reported stolen, and hidden repairs, and the checks above cover all three.
What does “iPhone Locked to Owner” mean?
The phone is still linked to the previous owner’s Apple Account through Activation Lock. Only they can remove it, so don’t buy a phone showing this screen.
How can I tell if an iPhone has had its screen replaced?
Look in Settings > General > About for Parts and Service History, and check that True Tone is available. A screen replaced with a non-genuine part is usually labelled Unknown.
What battery health should I accept on a used iPhone?
85% or higher is a comfortable everyday figure. Below 80%, Apple considers the battery due for service.
Skip the checklist
Every phone we sell has already been through all of this, and more.
- 80+ point tested
- Battery health shown
- 6-month warranty
- 7-day returns
