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If you’re looking for a premium iPhone but don’t want to break the bank getting one new from Apple, you’re not alone. Every day hundreds of Canadians save big by buying a used iPhone.
Platforms like Kijiji, Craigslist, and eBay are often the cheapest options out there, but the savings come with their fair share of risks. After the sale is complete, there’s very little chance you’ll ever hear from the seller again.
If anything should go wrong with the phone, you’ll be on your own.
Companies like Orchard are out there to eliminate the risks of buying a used iPhone. Thorough inspection of each phone, a free 90-day warranty, and unmatched customer support mean that you’re guaranteed to end up happy with your purchase.
Decide which iPhone is right for you
When you visit a site like Kijiji, you’re presented with thousands of listings and the number of different phones available is overwhelming. To narrow down your choices, it’s important to know ahead of time exactly what iPhone you’re looking to buy.
If you’ve settled on buying a used iPhone, the next step is to figure out which model is the perfect fit for you. To help with this, we’ve put together a quick quiz that will let you know exactly which iPhone suits your unique needs.
Blacklist
Buying a blacklisted phone on Kijiji is probably the worst outcome. The blacklist is a database of phones that have been reported as stolen. Once a phone is blacklisted, it will not be able to connect to any network.
Check the IMEI
To avoid this ordeal, you should always ask for the IMEI number of the phone before you meet up. An IMEI is a unique identification number for the device. The blacklist is a list of banned IMEI numbers, so this is exactly what you need to check to verify that the phone has not been reported stolen.
When you have the IMEI, head over to the IMEI checker built by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association(CWTA). Enter the IMEI, hit search, and you’ll know in seconds if the phone’s been reported as stolen.
Once you meet up with the seller to buy the iPhone, it’s important to make sure that they gave you the actual IMEI for that phone. Punch in *#06# on the phone app. If the number shown matches the number they gave you, you should be in the clear.
Check for activation lock when purchasing a used iPhone
Apart from the blacklist, you can also be prevented from using an iPhone by an activation lock, which is tied to an Apple ID. Once the activation lock is in place, the Apple ID passcode would have to be entered to start up the phone after it has been reset.
Luckily, there’s a foolproof way to tell if the activation lock is enabled on an iPhone – try to activate it! To do this, you’ll need to have a SIM card, so make sure you have one with you when you meet the seller.
From an iPhone home screen, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Once it’s been reset, pop in your SIM card, and start the activation process. If at this point you’re asked to enter an Apple ID and passcode to proceed, then the activation lock is still active on the phone.
Test the iPhone before you buy
If you have confirmed that the phone is not blacklisted or activation locked, you might actually be looking at a phone that’s safe to buy. The last thing you’ll want to do is test out all of the phone’s main functions.
To do this effectively, you’ll want to come equipped with a few things. Make sure you have a working Apple charger and headphones.
If you use Bluetooth devices, bring one of these as well. The most important thing to bring is a friend. Preferably one who has the same iPhone that you’re going to buy.
1. Screen
The first thing you’ll want to do is crank up the brightness on the phone and open up the “Settings” or “Notes” app so you can get a white background on the screen. Does the white look truly white?
2. Buttons
You’ll want to test all of the phone’s buttons to make sure they’re performing normally, including the mute switch. After you’re satisfied these are functional, focus on the home button.
3. Speakers and Microphones
There are two types speakers on an iPhone, the main speaker at the bottom of the phone, and the ear speaker used during calls.
4. Ports
Plug in your headphones and hit play on that same voice recording you just made. This is a good chance to double check the volume buttons.
5. Cameras
Open the camera app and take several pictures and video with both the rear-facing and the selfie cameras.
6. Liquid Damage
It’s essential to make sure that the phone you’re looking at hasn’t been overly exposed to moisture.
7. Connectivity
The last step is to make sure that the phone’s wireless connections are all working. Put in your SIM card and try making a call and sending a text.
What to avoid when buying a used iPhone in 2024
Apart from all the checks listed above, there are some red flags that you should look out for while buying a used iPhone. If you run into any of these, take them as a sign that meeting with the seller may not be worth your time, and might actually be dangerous.
- The seller is overly eager to set up a meet with you, or the price is unbelievably low
- They say they’re out of town, and want to send you the phone after you pay them online
- The phone is being sold “Brand New in Box” – it’s probably stolen or artificially packaged so you can’t test it
- The seller can’t answer all of your questions about the phone because they’re “selling it for a friend”