Check these on the phone itself
- Settings > General > About: the model, storage and serial number should match what the seller told you.
- Dial *#06# to see the IMEI and compare it with the box and the label on the phone.
- Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging: note the maximum capacity. A low figure means a battery change soon.
- Make sure Find My is switched off and the phone is signed out of the previous owner’s Apple ID. A phone that still shows Activation Lock is not usable by you.
- Test the cameras, speakers, microphone, Face ID or Touch ID, charging port and both volume buttons.
Ask the seller
- Is there a receipt or invoice, and is the phone still under warranty or AppleCare?
- Has the screen, battery or any part been replaced?
- Is it the UAE version or an imported model? Check the model number under Settings > General > About.
- What is the return or exchange policy if something fails in the first days?
Check Apple warranty coverage
Apple lets you check coverage by serial number on its support website. Do this before you pay, not after.
Compare more than one offer
The same model can be priced very differently between shops. Describe the exact model and storage once, ask several shops, and compare price together with warranty and return terms.
Questions
Is it safe to buy a used iPhone from an individual?
It carries more risk than buying from a shop that gives a receipt and a return period. If you buy from an individual, meet in a public place, check everything above and do not pay before you are satisfied.
How do I know the battery is still good?
Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and read the maximum capacity. Ask the seller if the battery has been replaced.
Read next
Own a shop or offer a service?
Join FindHub for free to receive requests from customers near you and reply with your price. Register your shop
By the FindHub team · Updated 2026-10-15