Buying a UK used iPhone in Accra: what to check before you pay
A used iPhone can be a good buy or an expensive mistake. Most of the difference is in ten minutes of checks you can do in front of the seller.
The short answer
Before you pay, have the seller erase the iPhone in front of you and check that it restarts to the Hello screen, not a lock screen asking for their Apple Account. Then check battery health, Parts and Service History and Carrier Lock in Settings, put your own SIM in and make a call, and note the IMEI for your receipt.
In this guide8 parts
What UK used means
Sellers in Ghana say "UK used" for an iPhone that someone owned and used abroad, often in the UK or the US, before it was shipped here to be sold again. It is a description, not a grade. The phone in front of you could be nearly new, or it could have a worn battery and a replaced screen, so check it yourself however good the price.
Activation Lock, the check that matters most
Activation Lock ties an iPhone to its owner's Apple Account. If it is still on, you cannot use the phone properly, and only the previous owner can remove it. Do this check before any other:
- Ask the seller to erase the phone in front of you, in Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Erase All Content and Settings. They may need their Apple Account password.