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Refurbished phone checklist: what to check before and after you buy

Plain-language guide. Return policies and grading differ by seller, so read yours.

A refurbished phone can save real money. The risks are specific, and most can be checked before you pay.

Before you buy

• Seller and returns. Prefer a seller with a clear return window and a warranty. Be wary of listings with no returns.
• Condition grade. Terms like "excellent" or "good" are not standardized. Ask what they mean for screen, body, and battery.
• Battery. Ask for the battery health or the replacement policy. It is the part that wears out first.
• Carrier lock. Confirm the phone is unlocked, or locked to the carrier you plan to use.
• Software support. Check whether the manufacturer still sends security updates for that exact model.

When it arrives

• Find the IMEI (dial *#06#) and check it with your carrier or a reputable checker to confirm the phone is not reported lost or stolen.
• Make sure the previous owner's account is gone: Activation Lock and Find My on iPhones, the Google account and factory reset protection on Android. A phone still tied to someone else's account can be unusable.
• Test the screen, touch response, cameras, speakers, microphone, charging port, buttons, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
• Look at battery health in Settings where the phone shows it. iPhones do, and Android varies by brand.
• Insert your SIM or add your eSIM, then make a real call and use mobile data.

Red flags

• A price far below similar listings.
• The seller will not show the IMEI, or says the phone is "locked to an account".
• No returns and no warranty.
• Photos that do not match the listed model.

Use the return window fully. If anything seems off, send it back right away.