Yes, you can sell locked iPhones. Many buyback stores will take them as is, but if you can unlock the phone, you may be able to get paid more. In some cases, a lot more. You can find out who buys locked iPhones online.
Lost your phone, reported it, then found it again? That's fine, you can still sell it on. Just call up the same number you used to report it - as well as your network's customer service - and tell them you've found it again and all is well.
People set multiple security levels and passcodes on their phones to protect their data in case a device gets stolen. However, if you find an iPhone and wish to use it but cannot bypass the security levels then you can still use the device.
If your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or Apple Watch is lost or stolen, you can erase it in Find Devices on iCloud.com. To sign in to Find Devices, go to icloud.com/find.
Unlocking your iPhone is free of charge regardless of the Apple service store location. However, the process is so easy that you can do it yourself. iPhones often get disabled due to multiple wrong attempts to enter the screen-lock passcode.
That means you cannot sell a phone or tablet that you reported as stolen and then found again; you cannot sell a lost phone that you happened to find; and you certainly cannot sell a phone that you or someone else has stolen. You can only legally sell a gadget that you own and is yours to sell.
iCloud locked iPhones are worth almost nothing and are generally only purchased by companies who scrap them for spare parts. You'll have a very hard time finding interested buyers, as companies like GadgetGone do not accept iCloud locked iPhones. If, however, you came by the iPhone legally, then yes, you can sell it.
What that means is even when a thief or a third-party has your iPhone, it's still tied to your Apple ID and can't be used with any other account. Your iPhone can even be wiped completely and it will still be locked down, making it almost useless to anyone but you.
Apple recommends users reset a found iPhone using iTunes partly because it not only removes the settings and information on your iPhone but it will also install the latest version of iOS automatically.
Permanently lock your stolen iPhone
Your iPhone will be completely wiped of all data. Despite the iPhone being wiped of all data, it will remain unusable due to Activation Lock.
Method 3: Use iCloud to Find Your Lost iPhone Even When It's Powered Off/ Factory Reset. You can also use iCloud's website to track your lost iPhone even if it has been powered off or doesn't have enough battery backup.
If your phone is locked to a network, it is legal to sell. You can sell your network-locked phone online at Swift Tech Buy as long as it's legally yours, even if you owe money on your phone contract.
Can a Stolen iPhone Be Unlocked? Normally, someone cannot unlock your iPhone without a passcode. However, they can factory reset your iPhone and unlock it using the above method or some iPhone unlocking tools. Also, it is possible to unlock a found iPhone with the same methods.
One of the major benefits of buying a locked device is it usually costs less. Wireless carriers can subsidize the retail price by having you locked into their network. Alternatively, they spread the device cost over a certain period through payment plans, so you don't have to pay the full price upfront.
If you believe your phone has been stolen, file a police report. Although law enforcement agencies don't have the resources to investigate every case of a stolen phone, if you're able to tell them where your phone is (using a finder app), they will be more likely to be able to help you recover it.
When a smartphone is stolen, it can easily be sold on the underground market. Many pawn shops are ready and willing to purchase and sell mobile phones. With no questions asked, these pawn shops will sell stolen phones to customers who believe that they are getting a good deal.
If it has a passcode they can't access the data, but with no activation lock they could wipe it clean and put in a new SIM card and start using it. So just leave it as it is in Lost Mode, in your account.
Look for your device on a map
To find your device, sign in to iCloud.com/find. Or use the Find My app on another Apple device that you own. If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch doesn't appear in the list of devices, Find My was not turned on. But you can still protect your account if Find My was not turned on.
Apple doesn't blacklist iPhones due to their policy of not handling stolen devices. It's up to phone carriers, such as AT&T or Verizon, to report stolen or lost phones. The iPhone's IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) allows phone carriers to identify the phone.
There are no restrictions on selling an iCloud-locked iPhone. You must be honest about it and ensure the buyer understands that you do not have the Apple ID or password to access the phone and unlock its features completely. If it is possible at all, remove the iCloud lock before you try to sell it.
Private buyers may be reluctant to buy phones with a bad ESN or IMEI, especially if they don't know how to unblock it or switch carriers. Despite this, it is possible to sell a phone with a bad IMEI or ESN. While the offers are typically lower, a few online buyback stores will buy blocked phones.
Can my mobile service provider refuse to unlock my phone because I owe them money or am currently under contract? Yes. Providers do not have to unlock devices for existing or former customers that are not in good standing.
If an iPhone is lost, a user can enable Lost Mode and leave a message for the person who finds it to contact them. If the iPhone you've found has a message on it, it will often include contact information, so all you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions.
If you can't remember your passcode when you try again, use a computer to put your iPhone in recovery mode. Recovery mode allows you to erase the iPhone, giving you access to set it up again. After you erase your iPhone, you can restore your data and settings from a backup.
Can Police Track Your Phone? The police won't track your phone without reason, but they can access your device's location history in an emergency or if they suspect criminal activity. Once they have a warrant, the police can access a phone's GPS data through a cell provider and view its current or last known location.