I'm considering purchasing a used iPhone and want to make sure I do it right. Should I ask the seller to be logged into the device so I can test things like the camera, speakers, and microphone? After testing, how should we handle the factory reset—how long does that usually take? Or would it be better to ask the seller to completely reset it first and then allow me to log into my iCloud to ensure everything works before I pay?
1 Answer
When buying a used iPhone, there are two key things to check:
1. Ensure the phone isn’t logged into someone else’s Apple account. If it is, have the seller log out to avoid any locked issues later.
2. Look out for Mobile Device Management (MDM) profiles. If it has one, it might be stolen from a business or school. It’s crucial to connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data during the meeting to verify this.
If the phone is reset and shows the welcome screen, make sure to get it to the Home Screen where you can test connectivity and confirm it isn’t managed or locked. If the seller won’t let you connect to the internet, be cautious and consider walking away!
What’s the minimum I need to set up? Is there an option to "set up later" that lets me connect online, or do I have to log directly into my iCloud? If I were the seller, I'd be worried about the buyer messing with the phone and locking it.