Buying iPhones on Facebook Marketplace

iPhones are the most scammed item on Facebook Marketplace. Full stop. But they’re also where you’ll find some of the best deals—40-60% below retail if you know what to check.

We’ve seen every trick in the book. Here’s how to buy smart.

Why Marketplace beats the alternatives

Used iPhones hold their value annoyingly well. But Marketplace consistently beats your other options:

• vs. Apple Refurbished: You’ll save 20-40% for similar condition
• vs. Swappa/eBay: No shipping wait, and you can inspect before paying
• vs. Carrier trade-in: Usually 30-50% better prices

The trade-off? You’re the quality control. Miss something, and there’s no buyer protection to save you.

The IMEI Check: Do this first, every time

Before you meet anyone, get the IMEI number. No exceptions.

Here’s how:

1. Ask the seller to screenshot Settings → General → About (shows IMEI)
2. Or have them dial *#06# and send what appears
3. Run it through Apple’s Check Coverage and Swappa’s IMEI check

You’re checking for:

• Activation Lock: If it shows locked to someone’s account, walk away immediately
• Carrier lock: Confirm it’s unlocked or works with your carrier
• Blacklist status: Stolen phones get blacklisted and become expensive paperweights

If a seller won’t share the IMEI before meeting, they’re hiding something. We’d skip that listing entirely.

Verifying iCloud status in person

IMEI checked out? Good. Now verify iCloud when you meet—this is where scammers get clever.

1. Go to Settings → [Name at top]
2. If it shows someone else’s name or email, the phone is still linked to their account
3. Watch them sign out. Don’t let them do it “before you arrived.”
4. After signout: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings
5. Set up the phone fresh and confirm no Activation Lock appears

Here’s the scam: Someone resets the phone but leaves Activation Lock enabled. Looks clean until you try to set it up at home. By then, the seller’s gone.

We’d never buy an iPhone that’s “already reset” without watching the signout happen.

Battery health: The hidden cost that catches people

Apple throttles iPhones with degraded batteries. Replacement costs $89-99 at Apple, more for Pro models.

Check it: Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging → Maximum Capacity

Battery Health	What it means
90-100%	Excellent—basically new battery
80-89%	Good—1-2 years of normal use left
Below 80%	Apple considers this “degraded”—you’ll need to replace it

Our rule: Phones below 80% should be priced at least $100 less than comparable listings. If they’re not, negotiate or move on.

The physical inspection checklist

When you meet the seller, check everything. Takes 5 minutes, saves you hundreds.

Screen:

• Open a white image to check for dead pixels or discoloration
• On OLED models (iPhone X and later), use a gray image to check for burn-in
• Run your finger along edges—any screen lifting is a bad sign

Buttons and switches:

• Volume up/down, power button, mute switch—all should click cleanly
• On iPhone 7-SE: test the haptic home button
• On iPhone X+: test gesture navigation

Face ID / Touch ID:

• Add your face or fingerprint and test unlock
• If biometrics don’t work, you’re looking at a $200+ repair

Cameras:

• Test front and back cameras, check lenses for dust or cracks
• Test the flash

Speakers and mic:

• Play music through speakers
• Make a quick voice memo to test the mic

Charging:

• Bring your own cable. Test that it actually charges.
• Check the port for lint or debris

What’s a fair price?

Here’s what we’re seeing on Marketplace in early 2026:

Model	Good Condition	Fair Condition
iPhone 15 Pro Max	$900-1100	$750-900
iPhone 15 Pro	$800-950	$650-800
iPhone 15	$600-750	$500-600
iPhone 14 Pro	$650-800	$550-650
iPhone 14	$450-550	$350-450
iPhone 13	$350-450	$275-350
iPhone 12	$250-350	$200-250
iPhone SE (3rd gen)	$200-275	$150-200

Prices assume unlocked, 128GB+ storage, 85%+ battery health

Significantly below these ranges? Be skeptical. There’s usually a reason.

Meeting safely

• Best spots: Police station parking lot or Apple Store (they can run diagnostics)
• Bring a friend for high-value purchases
• Test everything before handing over cash
• Cash or Facebook Pay only—never Zelle or Venmo for strangers
• Get a receipt with the IMEI written on it

When to walk away

These are immediate dealbreakers:

• Seller won’t share IMEI beforehand
• iCloud is signed in and they “forgot the password”
• IMEI on the phone doesn’t match what they sent you
• Battery health below 80% at full price
• Face ID or Touch ID doesn’t work
• Any pressure to “decide now” or skip verification steps

There will always be another iPhone. Don’t let FOMO push you into a bad deal—that’s exactly what scammers count on.

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Not sure about a listing? Spottable AI for Chrome analyzes iPhone listings for pricing accuracy, flags suspicious sellers, and catches scam patterns—so you know before you waste time meeting up.