Is a used iPhone on eBay safe to buy?

Yes — a used iPhone on eBay can be safe to buy, but only if you’re careful. The safest purchases are from reputable sellers or eBay Refurbished listings, and you should check the device status before you buy.

A few important checks:

• Make sure the listing does not say activation locked, iCloud locked, or for parts.
• Check that the phone has a clean IMEI and isn’t reported lost, stolen, or blacklisted.
• Prefer sellers with strong feedback and lots of completed sales.
• Buy a model that’s still reasonably current, ideally from the last couple of years, so it’s more likely to still get security updates.

If a phone is blacklisted, it generally won’t be able to connect to cellular networks, even if it otherwise powers on. eBay’s Money Back Guarantee can help if the phone arrives not as described or with a serious issue, including being locked or blacklisted, but it’s still better to avoid problem listings in the first place. eBay Refurbished items may also come with an added warranty, so check the specific listing for the exact coverage and term.