How to Check a Used Phone Before Buying: IMEI and Locks

Before paying for a used phone, check that the IMEI shown in its settings matches the box, that it is not locked to the previous owner's Apple or Google account, that the battery holds up and that your own SIM works in it. Do every check in person, before any money moves.

How do I find the IMEI on a used phone?

The IMEI is the phone's own identification number. Here is where Apple and Google say to find it:

• iPhone: open Settings > General > About and scroll to IMEI. Apple adds that the number appears on the barcode label of the original box, and on the SIM tray of some models.
• Android: Google's Pixel help gives Settings > About phone > IMEI, and Google's Pixel safety guide adds that you can dial *#06# on the keypad. Menu names vary slightly from one brand to another.
• Dual-SIM phones: Google notes that Pixel phones taking both an eSIM and a physical SIM have two IMEIs, one for each. Check both.

Then compare. The number on screen should match the box label, the SIM tray where there is one, and any receipt. A mismatch means the box belongs to another phone or parts have been swapped. Walk away.

Can I check if the phone was reported stolen?

The official way to check whether an IMEI has been reported lost or stolen in Nigeria or Kenya could not be confirmed on an official page at the time of writing (October 2026). Ask your network operator before you pay, and treat a seller who will not let you note the IMEI as a red flag.

How do I check that an iPhone is not locked to the previous owner?

This is the check that matters most. Apple explains that Activation Lock is designed to stop anyone else from using an iPhone, that it turns on automatically when Find My is switched on, and that you should not take ownership of a used iPhone protected by it. What you see when you switch the phone on tells you where it stands:

• "iPhone Locked to Owner" screen (iOS 15 or later): Activation Lock is on. Ask the seller to enter their password to turn it off. If they cannot, do not buy.
• Passcode Lock Screen or Home Screen: the phone has not been erased. Ask the seller to erase it in front of you.
• "Hello" screen: the phone has been erased and is ready to set up.
• Setup asks for the previous owner's Apple Account: the phone is still linked to that account. Hand it back and ask the seller to enter their password.

If the seller says the account belongs to someone who is not there, Apple's guidance is that the previous owner can remove the device from their account using a browser. Wait until that is done and the phone reaches the Hello screen, then finish setup with your own Apple Account before paying.

How do I check an Android phone for Google lock (FRP)?

Android has a similar protection, widely known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which Google's help pages call device protection. Google says that if a protected device is reset without the owner's permission, only someone with that Google Account or the screen lock can use it. During setup, the phone asks for a Google Account previously synced to it; without that, it cannot be used at all after the reset.

Google also explains that device protection is turned off by removing the Google Account from the phone. So, with the seller present:

1. Ask them to unlock the phone and remove their Google Account from the settings.
2. Ask them to sign out of any other account they used on the phone.
3. Have the phone reset to factory settings in front of you.
4. Go through setup. If the phone asks for a previously synced account, it is still locked: do not pay.

How do I check the battery?

On an iPhone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health (Battery Health & Charging from iOS 16.1). Apple suggests checking the maximum capacity and any important battery messages. Apple also notes that battery health information is not available for unknown or non-genuine batteries, so a missing reading deserves a question.

On Android, battery menus differ by brand and many phones show no health figure. Test it instead: note the charge level, use the camera and play a video for ten minutes, then look at how far it has dropped and whether the phone runs hot.

Has the phone been repaired with non-genuine parts?

On an iPhone running iOS 15.2 or later, open Settings > General > About. Depending on the model and whether a part was replaced, a Parts and Service History section may appear after the serial number. According to Apple, "Genuine Apple Part" means the part was replaced with a genuine Apple part, while "Unknown" can mean the installation is incomplete, the part is not genuine, it was previously used in another iPhone, or it is not working as expected.

A replaced part is not always a reason to walk away, but it should be reflected in the price. On any phone, look for a screen with an odd tint, touches that register on their own, uneven gaps around the frame or marked screws.

Will the phone work on my network?

On an iPhone, Settings > General > About shows a Carrier Lock line. Apple explains that "No SIM restrictions" means the iPhone is unlocked, while a carrier name means it works only with that carrier.

On every phone, insert your own SIM and test a call, an SMS and mobile data. On a dual-SIM phone, test both slots.

Which other tests take five minutes?

Apple's own checklist for a preowned iPhone is a good model for any phone:

• Remove the case and check the screen, sides, back and charging port for damage
• Test the display on light and dark backgrounds, and touch every corner
• Press every button
• Try each camera, including the extra lenses where the phone has them
• Check the speakers and record a voice memo to test the microphone
• Connect to Wi-Fi
• Plug in your own charger

Apple's advice on charging is blunt: if the battery will not charge, do not buy the iPhone.

How do I pay safely for a used phone?

Meet in daylight in a busy public place, such as a shopping centre, and bring your own SIM and charger. Never pay a deposit for a phone you have not held, whatever story comes with it. Pay only after every check above, and ask for a written receipt showing the date, the model and the IMEI. Our guide on how to avoid online scams in Nigeria and Kenya explains fake payment alerts and the other tricks to expect.

Shopping for a car as well? The same discipline applies: see our used car inspection checklist.

Selling your old phone?

Run these checks yourself before a buyer does, remove your Apple or Google account, and erase the phone in front of the buyer. Then post a free ad on AfricaSoco: each ad is reviewed before publication and buyers contact you directly on WhatsApp or by phone. You can also browse used phones for sale.