Guides & JournalHow to Check a Used Mobile Before Buying
To check a used mobile before buying, confirm it is PTA approved with an IMEI check, make sure the IMEI on the phone matches the box, then test the screen, cameras, speakers, microphone, charging port, buttons and battery, and finally make sure the old owner's accounts are removed. That takes about fifteen minutes and it is the difference between a great deal and an expensive mistake. Second hand mobiles are the most searched used item in Pakistan, and most problems are easy to spot if you know where to look. Take this checklist with you, test everything in person, and don't let anyone hurry you.
1. Before you meet: ask for the IMEI
Ask the seller to send the phone's IMEI number before you travel to see it. On any phone you can see it by dialling *#06# on the keypad. With the IMEI you can check PTA status from home — our guide How to Check if a Mobile Is PTA Approved explains the SMS and website methods.
If a seller refuses to share the IMEI, treat it as a warning. It is not private information, and an honest seller has no reason to hide it.
💡 Worth knowing
Ask for a short video of the phone switched on, showing the Settings → About phone screen. It saves you a wasted trip.
2. Match the IMEI: phone, box and SIM tray
When you meet, dial *#06# on the phone itself and compare the number with the sticker on the box and, on many phones, the SIM tray. They should match exactly. A mismatch can mean the box belongs to another phone, the board was replaced, or the IMEI was altered — which is how "patch approved" phones are made.
Read PTA Approved vs Non PTA to understand why a patched IMEI is a serious risk.
3. Screen and body
Look at the phone under good light and at an angle. Small scratches are normal on a used phone; what you are looking for is damage that affects use or points to a replaced part.
- Open a plain white page and a plain black page — look for dead pixels, lines, yellow patches or shadows (burn-in).
- Touch every part of the screen: draw across it slowly in a notes or drawing app to check for dead spots.
- Check the frame for dents and the back for cracks; a bent frame often means the phone was dropped hard.
- Look for screen lift or gaps at the edges — a sign the phone was opened or the battery is swelling.
4. Cameras, speakers, microphone and buttons
Test every function you will actually use. It only takes a few minutes.
| Test | How |
|---|---|
| Rear and front cameras | Take photos and a short video with each lens; check focus and switching between lenses |
| Flash and torch | Turn the torch on and take a flash photo |
| Speakers | Play a video at full volume — listen for crackling |
| Earpiece and microphone | Make a call and record a voice note, then play it back |
| Buttons | Press power, volume and any side keys; they should click cleanly |
| Fingerprint and face unlock | Add your own fingerprint or face and test it |
| Vibration | Turn on vibrate and send yourself a message |
5. Battery health and charging
A weak battery is the most common hidden cost on a used phone. On an iPhone, go to Settings → Battery → Battery Health; on many Android phones the battery or device-care section shows a condition, and some let you dial a service code. If health is low, factor the cost of a new battery into the price.
Plug the phone in with the seller's charger and your own cable if you have one. It should start charging straight away without wiggling the cable — a loose charging port is expensive to fix. If the phone supports fast charging, check it shows.
6. Network, SIM and Wi-Fi
Put your own SIM in and make a call, send an SMS and open a website on mobile data. Check both SIM slots on a dual-SIM phone. Then connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
If the phone shows no signal with a working SIM, it may be non-PTA, blocked or carrier-locked. Do not accept "it just needs a restart" — check it there and then.
7. Accounts, lock and reset
The phone must be signed out of the previous owner's Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iPhone) before you pay. If it is not, the phone can lock itself after a reset and ask for the old owner's password — known as FRP lock on Android and Activation Lock on iPhone.
Ask the seller to sign out and factory reset the phone in front of you, then set it up with your own account before you leave.
⚠️ Careful here
Never buy a phone that is still locked to someone else's account, whatever the seller promises. A locked phone may be stolen, and it is very hard to unlock legally.
8. Repairs, parts and the price
Ask directly whether the phone has been opened or repaired, and which parts were replaced. Replaced screens and batteries are not a problem if they are good quality and the price reflects it; hidden repairs are. On iPhones, Settings → General → About can show a parts and service history.
Compare the asking price with other listings for the same model, storage and PTA status. Used mobile prices in Pakistan vary a lot with PTA status and condition, so compare like with like.
9. Paying and after you buy
Pay only after testing. Ask for the box and bill if they exist, and keep the seller's messages. If you buy online, use a platform that protects your payment rather than transferring an advance to a stranger — on dapxop, advances are paid to dapxop and checked before an order is released to the seller, and you can report a problem after delivery.
As soon as you get home, test everything again and check the PTA status one more time. For more, see the complete guide to buying used electronics in Pakistan.
Shop small sellers across Pakistan with the condition stated on every listing.
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Frequently asked
What should I check before buying a used mobile?
Check PTA status with the IMEI, match the IMEI on the phone with the box, test the screen, cameras, speakers, microphone, buttons, charging and battery health, check the SIM works, and make sure the old owner's account is removed.
How do I check the IMEI of a phone?
Dial *#06# on the phone. The IMEI number appears on screen. Compare it with the box and SIM tray, then use it to check PTA status.
How can I check battery health on a used phone?
On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health. On Android it depends on the brand — look in battery or device care settings. A low reading means you will need a new battery soon, so factor that into the price.
What is FRP lock?
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) on Android locks a reset phone until the previous Google account is entered. Make sure the seller removes their account before you pay, or you may not be able to use the phone.
Is it safe to buy a second hand mobile online?
It can be, if you check the IMEI and PTA status first, ask for photos and a video of the phone working, and pay through a platform that protects your money rather than sending an advance to a personal account.
How long should I test a used phone before buying?
About fifteen minutes is enough to go through the whole checklist. A seller who will not give you that time is a reason to walk away.