Buying a used iPhone? Here’s how to find out if it’s stolen first

The new iPhone 6 models aren’t the only iOS handsets selling well, as many people are more than happy to purchase a cheaper used iPhone model. However, one problem with the used devices selling in various places is that they might be stolen, or still accidentally protected by Apple’s Find My iPhone features. In such cases, the active Activation Lock iOS security feature will prevent buyers from using an iOS device without using the original Apple ID and password in order to activate it. But iDownloadBlog has discovered that Apple released a new online tool that lets users check whether Activation Lock is active on an iOS device.

“Before you purchase an iPhone, iPad, or iPad touch from somebody else, make sure that Find My iPhone Activation Lock is turned off and the device is ready for you to use,” the message on the page reads.

Users simply have to enter the Device IMEI or Serial Number of an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to check whether that particular device is still protected by Activation Lock or not. In case you have no idea where to find the device’s IMEI or serial number, a link to Apple support pages is also provided to help you locate it.

The tool will instantly tell you whether the device you intend to buy can be used right away, or whether it’s protected by Activation Lock (as is the case with the device in the image above).

To use the iCloud Activation Lock status check tool, follow the source link below (0r go to icloud.com/activationlock).

VIA:

IDOWNLOADBLOG

SOURCE:

ICLOUD