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As a rule, used equipment sellers offer iPhone in two states: after a hard reset (the screen displays greetings on different languages), or enabled but not activated (all data is deleted, but iCloud is not linked).
In both cases, before buying, you need to make sure that the iPhone does not have an activation lock: that is, it is not linked to the account of the previous owner and will work with your account. This is important, since it is almost impossible to restore access to a smartphone that was not blocked by you, and it will fit only for details. We tell you how to quickly check the iPhone for iCloud connection.
The described verification methods do not compromise the seller in any way and will not deprive him of access to the smartphone if the transaction fails. If the owner does not agree to them, you should look for another ad.
If the iPhone is completely reset
The device displays a welcome screen in different languages, just like a new iPhone that was just taken out of the box. It may seem that in this state, the smartphone is definitely unlinked from the account and ready for use, but in reality, such a reset does not guarantee anything. Perform the initial setup of the device: select the language and region, then connect to Wi-Fi. The device will contact the Apple server for activation.
If a link to another account is detected, the iPhone will ask you to enter the password for the account that was previously used on the account (as in the screenshots above). In this case, you need to ask the seller to enter the data and untie the Apple ID in the settings, or refuse the transaction.
If there is no binding, after connecting to Wi-Fi and activation, you will not need to immediately enter your Apple ID. The smartphone will prompt you to accept the privacy rules and set up Face ID or Touch ID. This can (and is recommended) to check if the scanners are working, but at this stage you have already made sure that there is no Activation Lock on the iPhone.
If only data is deleted
Some sellers offer an iPhone that has already been set up for the first time. This is more convenient than a completely reset device: you can test the operation of all systems, compare the IMEI with the one indicated on the box and perform other checks.
To check the binding Apple ID, open the Settings app. There should be a “Login on iPhone” box. Click on it and make sure that the system prompts you to enter both the Apple ID and password (that is, you can use any iCloud account). You do not need to enter your data: such a pop-up window is enough to understand that the smartphone is unlinked from the old Apple ID.
If Apple ID is already specified in the settings , you must click on this plate, scroll down and click the “Exit” button. Ask the owner to enter the password to remove the device from the account and turn off Find My iPhone.
