When you ask about a used iPhone, I want to know the model, storage and carrier you need. Those details help us check availability. But a price is only useful when you also know what condition that particular phone is in and what the sale includes.
Compare the actual phone, not just the model name
Ask the seller to confirm the exact model, storage, condition and included accessories. If two offers look similar, write those details side by side. A lower price does not tell you what is included or whether an existing problem will need repair.
Apple recommends understanding the return terms and asking what a seller means by a certified device. Ask what was inspected, what was repaired and what written coverage comes with this particular sale. Do not assume that a general repair warranty is the warranty for a used phone.
Finish the ownership check before paying
Apple says not to take ownership of an iPhone protected by Activation Lock. The seller needs to erase the phone and remove it from their Apple Account. If setup asks for the previous owner’s account, stop and have the seller resolve it.
A Hello screen lets you start setup; it is not a substitute for completing activation and checking the device. Do not pay on a promise that someone will remove their account later. Never send an account password or verification code through a purchase inquiry.
Unlocked does not answer every carrier question
Apple identifies an unlocked iPhone by “No SIM restrictions” beside Carrier Lock in Settings, General, About. This carrier status is separate from Activation Lock and the screen passcode. Apple says only the current carrier can perform a carrier unlock.
Ask your intended carrier to confirm that the exact device can be activated on your plan, including its SIM or eSIM requirements. Tell us your carrier when requesting availability. Do not post the device’s identifiers in a public comment.
Read the battery information and ask about repair history
In Settings, Battery, review the available battery-health information and any service message. Apple explains that maximum capacity compares the battery with when it was new, and that aging reduces capacity and peak power. A percentage is not a promise of how long the phone will last during your day.
Ask whether the battery, display or another part was replaced. If Settings shows a parts message, read the exact wording with the seller. Our separate parts-history guide explains those messages; do not turn one label into a diagnosis or assume it proves the entire phone was inspected.
Take time for a basic function check
With the seller’s permission and the phone activated, check the display, buttons, cameras, speaker, microphone and Wi-Fi. Apple’s linked buying guide describes those checks. Inspect the case and connector for damage. If the device will not turn on or charge, do not treat it as a working phone purchase.
A short test cannot prove that every intermittent fault is absent. Ask how a problem discovered after purchase would be handled, and keep the receipt and agreed terms. If you already own a phone with a fault, request a repair evaluation rather than guessing at the part it needs.
Send a useful availability request
For PRG, send the model, minimum storage, used or new preference, carrier and preferred store: Davie, Tamarac or Fort Lauderdale / Swap Shop. A budget or acceptable alternative model can help the conversation. Leave passwords and payment-card details out of the form.
We check current options before confirming availability, condition, price and next steps. An inquiry does not reserve a phone or prove that a model is in stock. Use the store links below to check hours before making the trip.
Sources and further reading
Common questions
Does an unlocked iPhone mean the previous owner’s account is removed?
No. Carrier lock and Activation Lock are different checks. Complete activation and confirm that the previous owner’s account is removed before buying.
Can PRG confirm a used iPhone price from the model alone?
Send the model, storage, carrier and condition preference. We need to check the current options before confirming a particular phone’s price or availability.
Should I buy a cheaper phone that already needs repair?
Get the fault and possible repair costs evaluated before deciding. A symptom alone does not establish the needed work or guarantee a successful repair. Compare the total commitment with an available working phone.
Related repair help
Get a clear next step.
Call your nearest Phone Repair Guy store or send the device and symptoms for a repair evaluation.