1. Check the IMEI isn't blocked
Every phone has a 15-digit IMEI number. When a phone is reported lost or stolen in Australia, its IMEI is blocked on every Australian network: it won't make calls, send texts or use mobile data with any SIM.
- Ask the seller for the IMEI before you meet. On the phone, dial *#06# to show it, and check it matches what they sent you.
- Enter it in the free IMEI status check run by the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA).
A clean result isn't proof the seller owns the phone (a block can take a few days to appear), so also ask for the original receipt or box, and be wary of sellers who can't provide either.
2. Make sure it's not locked to the last owner
A phone still linked to someone else's account is a paperweight after a reset.
- iPhone: Find My and Activation Lock must be off. Ask the seller to go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings in front of you and enter their Apple ID password. When it restarts, you should see the "Hello" setup screen, not a request for someone else's Apple ID.
- Android: the seller must remove their Google account (and Samsung account on a Galaxy) before resetting. Otherwise Factory Reset Protection asks for their account after the reset.
Never accept "I'll remove it later". If it asks for someone else's account, don't pay.
3. Can it call Triple Zero?
Australia's 3G networks were switched off in 2024. Some 4G phones, mostly older models or ones bought overseas, still relied on 3G for emergency calls, and phones that can't call Triple Zero over 4G can be blocked from Australian networks. Before buying an older or imported phone, check it's an Australian model or one listed as supporting 4G calling (VoLTE) on Australian networks. Telstra, Optus and other providers set up a free check during the 3G shutdown: with the phone's SIM in, text "3" to 3498.
4. Check the battery
- iPhone: Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Below about 80% Maximum Capacity, budget for a new battery.
- Samsung Galaxy: the Samsung Members app → Support → Phone diagnostics → Battery status.
- Google Pixel 8a and later: Settings → Battery → Battery health.
A worn battery isn't a reason not to buy, but it's a reason to pay less.
5. Check the repair history (iPhone)
On an iPhone, Settings → General → About shows Parts and Service History if the battery, screen or camera has been replaced. "Unknown" means a non-genuine part or one that wasn't paired by Apple. It doesn't mean the phone is faulty, but it affects value, and the seller should have told you.
6. Test everything
Spend ten minutes on it:
- Screen: open a white page and a black one. Look for lines, spots, a green or pink tint, or burn-in (ghost images). Drag an app icon across every part of the screen to test touch.
- Cameras: every lens, front and back, photo and video, and the flash.
- Calls: make a call with your SIM. Test the earpiece, speakerphone and microphone.
- Charging: plug it in. The cable should click in firmly and charging should start.
- Buttons, Face ID or fingerprint, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the vibration motor.
- Water: look in the SIM tray slot for corrosion.
7. Check it still gets updates
A phone that no longer gets security updates is riskier for banking and email. Check that the model is still supported by the current version of iOS or Android for its brand. Recent Galaxy flagships (from the S24) and Pixels (from the Pixel 8) have seven years of updates from release; iPhones usually get many years too.
8. Meet safely and pay safely
- Meet in a busy public place, such as a shopping centre, in daylight.
- Don't pay a deposit for a phone you haven't seen.
- Prefer a payment with a record (a bank transfer you make on the spot after checking, not before) over large amounts of cash.
9. Know your rights
Buying privately gives you fewer protections than buying from a business: the consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law apply to businesses, not to private sellers. A refurbished phone from a business comes with those guarantees and usually a warranty.
Sources
- AMTA: Check if a phone has been reported lost or stolen (IMEI status)
- SBS News: The end of 3G and Triple Zero calls
- ACCC: Consumer rights and guarantees
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