Check an iPhone before you buy.

Where to find the iPhone IMEI

On the iPhone, open Settings > General > About and scroll to IMEI. You can also dial *#06# from the Phone app. Dual-SIM and eSIM models show two numbers, IMEI and IMEI2, so check both.

On many models with a SIM tray, the IMEI is also printed on the tray. If the number on the screen, the tray and the box do not match, treat that as a warning sign.

What this check covers

This check searches loss and theft reports submitted by owners to ReportMyPhone and approved by a reviewer. If an owner has reported the iPhone here, you will see a warning and, where they agreed, a way to contact them.

It does not query Apple, your carrier or the GSMA blocklist, so a clean result here is one check among several, not a guarantee.

Activation Lock is the big one

An iPhone that is still linked to someone else's Apple Account cannot be set up without their password. Ask the seller to go to Settings > [their name] > Find My, turn off Find My iPhone, then erase the phone with Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

If the seller refuses, says they forgot the password, or offers to "remove it later", walk away.

Red flags when buying an iPhone

A price far below the going rate, a seller who wants to meet somewhere rushed or dark, no box or receipt, a phone stuck on the lock screen, or an IMEI that does not match the paperwork. Any one of these is a reason to slow down. Two or more is a reason to leave.