Used iPhone inspection checklist for wholesale

Sealed new units are not opened. They are verified by the IMEI and serial number on the box against Apple's coverage check, recorded on video with the box seals intact, and carry Apple's own warranty.

What should a wholesale buyer check before balance payment?

Match each phone to its IMEI, review the lock and blacklist status, then check function, Battery Health and grade. The proposed process below records that evidence in a per-unit video before balance payment. This checklist describes the process; it is not an inspection report for a particular phone or proof of current inventory.

Use this checklist alongside the grading standard and the iPhone 15 model and SIM guide.

1. Identity: IMEI, model, and blacklist

   • Read the IMEI from Settings, General, About, and confirm it matches any available physical identifier on the device or box.
   • Run the IMEI through a GSMA-based blacklist check. Units reported lost or stolen, or blacklisted by a carrier, are rejected and never sold. Units still under a carrier finance plan but with a clean IMEI are sold only when labeled as such on the price list.
   • Record the full part number, tap it to read the A-number, and record storage and colour from the About screen so the lot list matches the unit.

2. Activation Lock and account sign-out

   • Confirm Find My is off and no Apple Account is signed in.
   • After erasing, continue setup through activation. Reject any unit that asks for the previous owner’s Apple Account. No bypass tools.

3. Data erase, with a record

   • Use Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Erase All Content and Settings.
   • Log the IMEI, erase date, and inspection-video reference for each unit, and keep that record for 3 years.

4. Function test

   • Screen: white, black, and grey test screens for dead pixels and burn-in; touch grid; True Tone where supported.
   • Biometrics: enroll and unlock with Face ID or Touch ID.
   • Cameras and flash: front and rear, photo and video.
   • Audio: earpiece, loudspeaker, and microphones through a voice memo and test call.
   • Charging at the port and wirelessly where supported; inspect the port for corrosion.
   • Radios: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular registration with a test SIM or eSIM profile.
   • Buttons, mute switch or Action button, vibration, and proximity sensor.
   • Battery Health and Parts and Service History, both recorded on video.

5. Cosmetic grading

   • Under a daylight lamp, check the front, back, frame, and corners against the written grading standard. Record the grade on the unit sleeve and lot list.

6. One video per unit

   • Record one continuous video for each unit showing the About screen with IMEI, Battery Health, Parts and Service History, the test screens, and a slow pass over the body under the lamp.
   • Share the videos before balance payment so the buyer can review the units that will ship.

7. Packing

   • Place each unit in an individual sleeve labelled with its IMEI and grade, then pack it in a sealed carton with a printed IMEI list. Record the carton weight and IMEI list in the shipping documents.
   • Every order ships with an IMEI list and the blacklist-check reference for each unit.

Apple explains how to remove Activation Lock and why a device may ask for the previous owner’s Apple Account during activation.

What accompanies each lot

• A lot list with one row per unit: IMEI, model, full part number, A-number, storage, colour, grade, and Battery Health.
• One inspection video per unit, shared before balance payment.
• The blacklist-check reference for each IMEI.

Limits of the process

• Carrier registration depends on the exact model and destination carrier. Check model numbers and SIM types and the carrier’s current rules before ordering.
• Cosmetic grades remain the grades defined on the grading standard.
• Check the units on arrival and report a mismatch within 48 hours using the evidence described on how to order. Functional faults after arrival are covered by the 60-day warranty on the terms of sale page.