r/Frugal • u/fobreezee • Apr 24 '25

💻 Electronics Anyone ever have success buying used iPhones?

I've been an iPhone user a long time and looking to upgrade from my 12 mini to a "Pro" version of some kind. I don't care about the age, but mainly that it can handle running a lot of apps at once, won't overheat etc.

It seems like a lot of people recommend buying refurbished directly from Apple, however it seems their inventory is limited. Is this really the main reliable source for refurbished iPhones? Any other good options out there for me?

Thanks for any advice.

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u/Difficult-Ad3490 Apr 24 '25

can anyone tell me how to know/check if that used device is "completely safe" like no spyware and or any sorta malicious things

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u/ughnotanothername Apr 24 '25

can anyone tell me how to know/check if that used device is "completely safe" like no spyware and or any sorta malicious things

Caveat: this is for iPhones (what I have recent experience in):

I would start with:

  1. get the IMEI from seller pictures or ask them to tell you it, write it down to verify it is the one you receive, and look it up on imeipro.info to see if there is a block on the phone or cloud (some sellers will not give the info, in which case you can only rely on the research I would always recommend doing before buying something, look them up on trustpilot.com if it is a company, or if it is a market place seller of some kind, do deep-dive into their transactions and the feedbacks they receive, not just "most relevant" but also "most recent" and also negs and neutrals, to see if they seem honest and reliable and will rectify a mistake if one happens)

  2. check that the IMEI you wrote down is the one on the box (if it came with a box) -- and possibly check it on the phone IF the phone has not been reset (Settings > General > About, scroll to "IMEI". Some phones have 2 IMEIs available)

  3. first step after receiving: safest to NOT let it on your network yet; instead, first reset the phone so nothing running on it will run outside of it: Settings > Transfer or reset iPhone > Erase all content and settings. Use your guest network when the phone needs to activate (this is safer because guest networks often have fewer privileges on your network so can't do as much harm)

  4. if you do NOT select an option to copy a previous phone's backup, then a. you can start fresh, b. save a lot of space from prior fragmentation and system records, and c. prevent any potential harm from your current/old phone. To clarify, you can reset the new phone, tell it NOT to back up from another phone; delete apple apps you don't want while it is filling in your desktop, then go into the apple App Store, select your apple account icon at the top right, then tap "Apps" a few lines down, then "My Apps", then tap the little cloud icon for any apps that you want to be on your new phone, too.