⚠️ Most people buying used phones get scammed. Not because the...
YUA@creative_yua
11 views
Nov 09, 2026
~4 min read
Advertisement
1
⚠️ Most people buying used phones get scammed. Not because the sellers are smart, but because buyers don't know what to check.
If you're planning to buy a used iPhone, open this thread for some important things you need.
No. 10 very important!
(1-7 for both Android and iPhone)
If you're planning to buy a used iPhone, open this thread for some important things you need.
No. 10 very important!
(1-7 for both Android and iPhone)
2
1/
The very first thing to check is the body. Confirm there are no scratches or dents.
Afterwards, flip the phone and look at the screws around the speaker area at the bottom and other parts.
If screws are missing or look tampered with, the phone has been opened before.
The very first thing to check is the body. Confirm there are no scratches or dents.
Afterwards, flip the phone and look at the screws around the speaker area at the bottom and other parts.
If screws are missing or look tampered with, the phone has been opened before.
3
2/ Confirm the screen is fine.
Press and hold any app & drag around the entire screen.
For iPhone, check True Tone too
Next, Google "solid white picture," download the image, and set it as your wallpaper. Any suspicious colour on the screen means there's a problem
Check this:
Press and hold any app & drag around the entire screen.
For iPhone, check True Tone too
Next, Google "solid white picture," download the image, and set it as your wallpaper. Any suspicious colour on the screen means there's a problem
Check this:
4
3/ Sound check
Play any audio and turn volume to maximum to know if the loudspeaker is okay.
Likewise, open the voice recorder and record yourself speaking. Play it back. This way, you can know if the mouthpiece is fine.
Make a call too, if possible, to assess the earpiece.
Play any audio and turn volume to maximum to know if the loudspeaker is okay.
Likewise, open the voice recorder and record yourself speaking. Play it back. This way, you can know if the mouthpiece is fine.
Make a call too, if possible, to assess the earpiece.
5
4/ Camera check
Open the camera. Test every lens and different zoom levels.
Try portrait mode and other modes. Snap a photo with the main and selfie cameras.
Move slowly while snapping. If the sensors are good, it should stabilize the photo.
Record a short video and play it.
Open the camera. Test every lens and different zoom levels.
Try portrait mode and other modes. Snap a photo with the main and selfie cameras.
Move slowly while snapping. If the sensors are good, it should stabilize the photo.
Record a short video and play it.
6
5/ Keyboard
Open Notes or any available typing app, and press every letter on the keyboard. Make sure that all the keys are responsive.
This further helps you confirm that the screen is okay.
Open Notes or any available typing app, and press every letter on the keyboard. Make sure that all the keys are responsive.
This further helps you confirm that the screen is okay.
7
6/
Turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data, and hotspot one by one. Be sure the toggles work perfectly.
Also, connect to another device on Bluetooth to confirm it really works. Connect the WiFi to another hotspot and connect another phone to the hotspot of the phone you're buying.
Turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data, and hotspot one by one. Be sure the toggles work perfectly.
Also, connect to another device on Bluetooth to confirm it really works. Connect the WiFi to another hotspot and connect another phone to the hotspot of the phone you're buying.
8
7/ IMEI check
Go to: Settings → General → About
Take note of the IMEI number. Then dial *#06#.
The numbers you see in your settings and the ones you see after dialing that code must be exactly the same.
If they don't match, something has been tampered with.
Go to: Settings → General → About
Take note of the IMEI number. Then dial *#06#.
The numbers you see in your settings and the ones you see after dialing that code must be exactly the same.
If they don't match, something has been tampered with.
9
8/
Under iphone's About section
Normally, you shouldn't see "Part & Service History."
If you see such, open it. It's either the phone's been repaired or needs servicing. You should pay less for such an iPhone.
Also, look for "Carrier Lock."
It should say "No SIM restrictions."
Under iphone's About section
Normally, you shouldn't see "Part & Service History."
If you see such, open it. It's either the phone's been repaired or needs servicing. You should pay less for such an iPhone.
Also, look for "Carrier Lock."
It should say "No SIM restrictions."
10
9/ Model number
In the same About section, tap Model Number. Check the first letter there.
M = New
P = Personalized
N = Replacement
F = Refurbished
M and P: you're fine.
N and F: ask questions, and expect a lower price.
In the same About section, tap Model Number. Check the first letter there.
M = New
P = Personalized
N = Replacement
F = Refurbished
M and P: you're fine.
N and F: ask questions, and expect a lower price.
11
10/ ⚠️ Very important for iPhone 14 upwards ⚠️
If the model number ends in LL/A, it means it's a phone of US origin.
From iPhone 14 upwards, US iPhones no longer have physical SIM slots. Only eSIM.
If you see such phones with physical SIM, it's been tampered with. Be wise.
If the model number ends in LL/A, it means it's a phone of US origin.
From iPhone 14 upwards, US iPhones no longer have physical SIM slots. Only eSIM.
If you see such phones with physical SIM, it's been tampered with. Be wise.
12
11/ Battery and Snapchat lock
Settings → Battery → Battery Health.
Anything below 84-85% means the battery is due for replacement. Factor that into the price.
Download Snapchat and try to log in or create an account, 'cause some phones are banned from Snapchat permanently.
Settings → Battery → Battery Health.
Anything below 84-85% means the battery is due for replacement. Factor that into the price.
Download Snapchat and try to log in or create an account, 'cause some phones are banned from Snapchat permanently.
13
⚠️ Some iPhone batteries are usually boosted.
If you see a used iPhone with 100% battery health, runnn!
If you're buying iPhone 12 downwards, and you see 90-something percent, run o.
Used iPhone 13 and newer ones still make sense if they have battery health of 90% or more.
If you see a used iPhone with 100% battery health, runnn!
If you're buying iPhone 12 downwards, and you see 90-something percent, run o.
Used iPhone 13 and newer ones still make sense if they have battery health of 90% or more.
14
If you read till the end, congratulations!
You can now safely buy a UK-used phone with little or no fear of getting scammed.
What else would you like to know?
If you also have personal experiences, I'd love to hear them. Thanks.
You can now safely buy a UK-used phone with little or no fear of getting scammed.
What else would you like to know?
If you also have personal experiences, I'd love to hear them. Thanks.
15
Please retweet the thread for others to see. Thanks.
Also, you can check if the iPhone or Android is blacklisted or reported stolen by using: imeicheck.com
Or simply search “blacklisted and stolen phone checker” on Google.
You simply input your IMEI on the website and run a scan.
If it says “clean,” you’re safe.
Also, you can check if the iPhone or Android is blacklisted or reported stolen by using: imeicheck.com
Or simply search “blacklisted and stolen phone checker” on Google.
You simply input your IMEI on the website and run a scan.
If it says “clean,” you’re safe.
16
@whistlechoppa01, here’s a step-by-step guide.