A lot of people consider buying a used iPhone^® for sale when they want to upgrade their device or switch to another mobile platform. What many people don’t realize is that purchasing secondhand Apple^® products can be tricky if the seller is not reputable. While a device might seem like a good deal for its price, you should look out for the phrase “iCloud^® locked” in the product description. Here’s why you should be wary of it.

What Is iCloud Lock?

Apple mobile products, such as the iPhone, iPad^®, and iPod touch^®, are designed to have a layer of security called Activation Lock. This serves to prevent anyone from using devices that have been tagged as stolen or lost. Under the Find My iPhone feature, the ID linked to the device is safely stored in iCloud. If you need to reactivate and use a pre-owned product with an existing Apple ID, you have to know its password since you won’t be able to bypass it.

Not every iCloud-locked used iPhone for sale is stolen or unusable, however. Sometimes, the previous owners might have simply forgotten their passwords. In this case, they can contact an Apple customer service representative for assistance, but this process is tedious and often takes a few weeks before the device can be reactivated or used.

Why Do You Have to Be Wary of This?

When buying a used iPhone and iPad, it’s better to purchase from certified Apple resellers rather than online sellers since you’re technically making an investment. Stores offer warranties on their products, sometimes as long as one year on refurbished items, so you can test them out for any problems or issues. Online sellers, on the other hand, rarely disclose the full details of an item and don’t allow returns, even if the product is damaged. If you unwittingly purchase an iCloud-locked device, you’re probably stuck with something that will not be fully functional.

Second hand doesn’t have to mean second best. If you’re looking for a quality used iPhone for sale, turn to Experimac Klein in Texas. We have an extensive inventory of pre-owned, refurbished Apple products for sale that come with a one-year warranty. Moreover, our team of experts offers iPad screen repair, iPhone battery replacement, and other services. Call our store at (713) 575-5768 or visit our website to learn more about our Apple repairs and upgrades.