SELL LOCKED iPHONE

• What is a Locked iPhone?
• Types of Locked iPhones Explained
• Who Buys Locked iPhones?
• How Much Can I Get For My Locked iPhone?
• Locked iPhones FAQ's

What is a Locked iPhone?

A locked iPhone is a device that has restrictions imposed by either the service provider or Apple.

There are several reasons an iPhone might have a lock placed on it, including:

• The owner purchased the iPhone on a credit plan (a financed iPhone), and they have not kept up with the payments. In this case, the carrier can blacklist or block the device.
• The original legal owner of the iPhone has reported it lost, leading to it being blacklisted. This can result in the carrier or Apple locking the device.
• The original legal owner has reported the iPhone is stolen, resulting in it being blacklisted by the carrier or Apple.
• The original owner, or someone else, used unauthorized software or services that violated the terms of use, such as bypassing the activation lock. This can prompt the carrier or Apple to lock the device.
• The original owner forgot their passcode, iCloud login credentials, making the iPhone inaccessible. Consequently, we describe the device as activation locked because nobody can access or use its features.

What Can You Do With a Locked iPhone?

If you have a locked iPhone, you can do the following:

• Attempt to Unlock the Device: For an iCloud locked iPhone, you can follow Apple's guidelines to attempt unlocking it. This also applies to a passcode locked device. You may still not be able to unlock the device, if you can it will mean it will be worth more when you sell it.
• Sell the Device: You can sell a locked iPhone. If your iPhone is iCloud locked, finance locked, or blacklisted, then you’ll need to find a specialist buyer. Use the Locked iPhone Valuation Tool to get a quote for your device. If your iPhone is carrier-locked to a brand like AT&T or Verizon, you can still sell it very easily; head to the SellCell homepage to get a price for your carrier locked device.

There are several reasons why an iPhone might have a lock on it.
Here are the types of iPhone lock, explained.

What is a Financed iPhone?

A financed iPhone is one bought through a credit plan. This may be part of a mobile carrier contract, which comes with an airtime plan. The owner pays for both the device credit plan and the airtime plan together, usually in one monthly payment.

Alternatively, the owner might have purchased the iPhone using a financing option from the manufacturer. While this phone may not be carrier locked, it's still financed, with monthly payments made to the manufacturer or financier.

You can sell a financed iPhone before the finance period ends, but you must continue to pay off the financier, whether it's a carrier or the manufacturer. If the finance is paid off, even better; if bought through a carrier, they should unlock it for free, making it usable with any carrier, i.e., 'network unlocked'. You can then sell it without needing to settle any remaining debt.

Some specialist buyers may buy financed iPhones with outstanding balances.

Sell Financed iPhone

What is a Finance Locked iPhone?

A financed locked iPhone is one that still has an unpaid balance with the finance company. If you owe money for the device, the carrier or manufacturer might block or blacklist it. Some specialized buyback companies can help you sell a financed locked iPhone. You can get an estimate using our calculator above.

You can still sell a finance locked iPhone, but you need to ensure you pay off the remaining credit balance. Failure to do so could result in the device being blocked or blacklisted.

Sell Financed Locked iPhone

What is a Blacklisted iPhone?

An iPhone can sometimes be blocked or blacklisted. This generally means that the carrier or manufacturer has made the device unusable on any network by recognizing its IMEI number. Several reasons exist for why an iPhone might be blocked or blacklisted:

• Outstanding Payments: If the original owner has unpaid credit remaining on a finance agreement or has defaulted on a contract, the carrier might block the iPhone.
• Reported as Stolen: If the owner reports the iPhone as stolen, carriers will blacklist it to prevent anyone else from using it.
• Misplaced Device: If the owner reports the iPhone as lost, the carrier can block it to protect the owner's data and prevent unauthorized use.
• Insurance Claims: If an owner declares the iPhone as damaged or lost in an insurance claim, the carrier may block it at the insurer's request to ensure the claim is not deceitful.
• Illicit Activity: Carriers or manufacturers can block iPhones involved in illegal activities or fraudulent transactions to prevent further misuse.

You can still sell a blocked or blacklisted iPhone. Specialist buyback vendors are willing to purchase it, although you may not receive as much money for the device as you would if it were unlocked.

Sell Blacklisted iPhone

What is an iCloud Locked iPhone?

An iCloud locked iPhone is a device with its security features enabled, in order to prevent unauthorized use. This lock is designed to protect the phone and its owner’s sensitive data if they lose the device or if someone steals it. Apple has this security measure for many of its connected devices.

For Apple devices, we call this feature an ‘iCloud lock’, and it is part of the ‘Find My’ service that Apple provides for every connected device in its ecosystem. It requires the user's Apple ID and password to set up or use the iPhone, even after a factory reset.

These activation locks ensure that only the rightful owner can reactivate and use the phone. If you're purchasing a used iPhone, it's essential to verify that the previous owner has removed any activation locks to ensure you can use the device without issues.

If you have an iCloud locked iPhone, you can still sell it.

Sell iCloud Locked iPhone

What is a Passcode Locked iPhone?

If we say an iPhone is "passcode locked", then it features an activated security mechanism that demands a numerical code, biometric verification (like your fingerprint or facial recognition), or an alphanumerical password to access the screen and interact with the device’s functions and data. The user sets this lock to protect their personal details and prevent unauthorized use.

When an iPhone is protected by a passcode, it offers several benefits:

• Security Assurance: Guarantees that only those with the correct passcode can unlock and use the iPhone.
• Data Protection: Shields confidential information, such as contacts, messages, photos, and apps, from unauthorized access.
• Access Control: After several failed attempts to enter the passcode, the iPhone might temporarily lock itself or require a longer waiting period before permitting further attempts.

For those buying or selling an iPhone, it’s essential to either remove the passcode or provide it to the new user so they can access and set up the device smoothly. You can, however, still sell a passcode locked iPhone; use our handy locked iPhone valuation to to see how much your iPhone is worth.

Sell Passcode Locked iPhone

What is a Carrier Locked iPhone?

A carrier-locked iPhone is a device restricted to operate exclusively on a particular network. This kind of lock is usually in place when you buy the iPhone through a carrier's contract or financing plan.

For example, if you obtain an iPhone through a payment plan with Verizon, it will only work with the Verizon network until you've fulfilled the payment terms and completed your contract. Once the contract period is over, Verizon will unlock the device, making it compatible with any network.

It's crucial to note that while a carrier-locked iPhone remains fully functional, it will only operate via the network specified by the carrier for calls, texts, and cellular data. You can still sell a carrier-locked iPhone without issues, as its functionality is only limited to network access.

Sell Carrier Locked iPhone

What is an Unlocked iPhone?

An unlocked iPhone - often referred to as a "network-free" or "factory unlocked" device - is one with no carrier restrictions at all. This means it can connect to any network, not just a specific carrier’s network. Typically, you’ll find such devices when purchasing directly from the manufacturer. For example, if you visit the Apple Store and buy the latest iPhone, it will be an unlocked model, as you are buying it directly from the manufacturer.

Owning an unlocked iPhone comes with several advantages:

• Freedom of Network Choice: You have the liberty to choose any carrier for your mobile service, so you’re not bound to a particular network.
• International Travel: With an unlocked iPhone, you can insert any SIM card, allowing you to use local carriers no matter where you are around the globe.
• Plan Flexibility: You can opt for any SIM-only plan offered by carriers, rather than being restricted to a limited set of options tied to a locked device.
• Higher Resale Value: An unlocked iPhone typically commands a higher resale price compared to the same model with a network lock, assuming all other conditions are equal.

Sell Unlocked iPhone