How to sell a used phone on eBay and Vinted

• That Activation Lock (Find My on iPhone) or Google Factory Reset Protection is off.
• Whether it's unlocked to all networks or locked to one.
• That the IMEI isn't blacklisted as lost or stolen, or tied to unpaid finance.
• Battery health, shown in settings on iPhones and in some Android phones.
• Screen condition: scratches, cracks, dead pixels and screen burn.
• Storage size, colour and the exact model.
• Whether cameras, speakers, microphone, Face ID or fingerprint all work.

1. Front, switched on, showing a bright screen so marks are visible.
2. Back, including the camera lenses.
3. Edges and corners, where drops leave marks.
4. The settings screen showing the model and storage (cover or crop out the IMEI if you prefer).
5. The battery health screen, where available.
6. Any cracks, scratches or dents, close up.
7. The box and accessories you're including.

• Brand and model first, including Pro, Max, Plus or Ultra.
• Storage size and colour.
• Unlocked or the network it's locked to.
• Battery health if it's good, and a short condition word.

Example title

Apple iPhone 13 128GB Midnight Unlocked Battery Health 88% Very Good

Words buyers search for

• brand and model (iPhone 13, Galaxy S23, Pixel 8)
• storage (128GB, 256GB)
• colour
• unlocked, SIM free
• network name if locked
• battery health
• boxed

• Exact model and model number from settings.
• Storage size.
• Battery health or maximum capacity, if the phone shows it.
• Network lock status.
• What's included: cable, charger, case, box.

• Describe the screen and the body separately.
• Say if parts have been replaced, such as the screen or battery, and whether genuine parts were used, if you know.
• List anything that doesn't work, even small things like a speaker crackle.
• Say whether the phone has been reset and the account removed.

Phones tend to suit platforms with solid buyer and seller protection and clear rules on electronics, which is why many sellers use eBay for them.

Vinted also has an electronics category in some countries: check what's allowed in yours before listing.

Whatever the platform, buyers of phones read descriptions closely, so detail matters more than where you list.

• Pack the phone in its box or wrapped in bubble wrap inside a small sturdy box.
• A boxed phone is usually small and light, but measure the packed parcel rather than assuming it fits a large letter.
• Use a tracked service, as phones are high-value and small.
• Phones contain lithium batteries: check the carrier's rules on sending batteries inside devices.

Not sure which parcel size you need? Check the postage size guide.

• Leaving Find My or Google account protection on, which makes the phone unusable for the buyer.
• Not checking the IMEI before selling a phone you bought second-hand yourself.
• Leaving a SIM card or memory card inside.
• Hiding screen scratches by photographing with the screen off.
• Posting without tracking.

How do I check the IMEI?

Dial *#06# or look in the phone's settings. Some carriers and independent services let you check whether an IMEI is blacklisted.

What's Activation Lock?

It's Apple's anti-theft feature linked to Find My. If it's still on after you sell, the buyer can't set up the phone. Android phones have a similar feature called Factory Reset Protection, tied to the Google account.

Should I say the battery health?

Yes, if the phone shows it. It's one of the first things buyers ask, and giving it up front builds trust.