What to Check Before Buying
The 3-Point Inspection
Battery Health
Must be 80% or higher in Settings > Battery. Anything lower means the battery is degraded.
Screen Originality
Test True Tone to ensure the screen is a genuine Apple part and check for dead pixels.
Activation Lock
Ensure iCloud is signed out and the phone is unlocked. A locked phone is unusable.
Why Checking Your Refurbished iPhone is Crucial
Knowing what to check before buying a refurbished iPhone can save you hundreds of dollars in repair costs. While reputable sellers in Australia do this testing for you, it’s always smart to verify the device yourself upon receiving it.
Hardware Checks You Can Do at Home
Cameras & Microphones
Record a quick video using both the front and back cameras. Play it back to check for focus issues, dead pixels, and clear audio.
Buttons & Ports
Connectivity
Software and Security Checks
Never accept a phone that asks for an Apple ID password during setup. This means the Activation Lock is still on, and the phone is essentially a brick. Always ensure the device has been factory reset and is ready for a new user.