Technology · Advice & Questions · Oct 16

Should I pay for a used iPhone while the seller is still removing the account lock?

Technology

We were outside the café when the used iPhone asked for the previous owner's Apple Account. The seller said his sister had owned it and would remove it that evening. He wanted the agreed $210 now so he would not have to meet me twice.

I had spent forty minutes getting there. The screen looked clean, the buttons worked, and he was polite. I nearly accepted a promise to message me when it was ready.

Apple's guidance says not to take ownership of a used iPhone while it remains linked to the previous owner's account. [Activation Lock guidance](https://support.apple.com/en-ie/108794). So I left without paying, but I also left feeling as though I had accused him of something.

Would you give this sale another chance once he says the lock is gone? I am happy to allow for an honest missed step. I am less sure how to check that the next meeting actually finishes the handover.

Discussion

2 community replies

@maren17

Leaving the money with you was reasonable. The phone was not ready for the handover you had agreed. You can say, “Let me know when your sister has removed it, and we can check setup together,” without making a claim about whether he is dishonest.

@northstar88

At the next meeting, proceed through setup rather than judging from a clean screen or a message saying “sorted.” Apple explains that a request for the previous owner's account means the device remains linked. The owner should resolve that through Apple's supported process. [Apple's checks](https://support.apple.com/en-ie/108794).

Should I pay for a used iPhone while the seller is still removing the account lock?

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