Buy refurbished

iPhone 14

RefurbMe lists a few different carrier-locked iPhones:

• AT&T
• T-Mobile
• Sprint
• Verizon
• Tracfone
• Cricket
• Xfinity Mobile

You'll find all the carrier options under the Carrier header in the left-hand side menu. If you have a different carrier, or you might want to switch carriers in the future, your safest option is to go for an unlocked phone. You can also learn how to unlock an iPhone.

Of course, refurbished iPhones are fully tested. In fact, when an iPhone is getting refurbished, testing is one of the most important stages.

The testing process includes: 

• hardware tests;
• software tests;
• thorough checking of all components.

Because a refurbished iPhone is generally in great working condition, most parts will pass the checks without a problem. However, if any part seems defective, it will go through troubleshooting. Whenever possible, the refurbisher will fix the faulty part. If it cannot be fixed, the refurbisher will replace the part with a brand new one. For instance, a cracked screen is systematically replaced with a brand new screen.

Once any necessary fixes or replacements are done, a refurbished iPhone goes through the product testing process once more. This is important to understand: refurbished iPhones go through the same testing process as any new iPhone does. You can expect the same level of functional quality from a refurbished iPhone as you do from a brand new device.

Yes. Refurbished iPhones support eSIM if the original model includes eSIM hardware. The refurbishment process does not affect eSIM capability. Any iPhone XS or later supports eSIM, and US models of the iPhone 14 and later are eSIM-only (no physical SIM tray).

eSIM support was introduced with the iPhone XS lineup in 2018:

• eSIM + physical SIM: iPhone XS, XR, 11, 12, 13 (all variants), and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation). Also iPhone 14 and later in markets outside the US.
• eSIM-only (no SIM tray): iPhone 14 and later models sold in the United States.
• No eSIM: iPhone X and older models.

eSIM is a digital SIM that is built into the phone. Instead of inserting a physical SIM card, you activate a carrier plan by scanning a QR code or using your carrier's app. You can store multiple eSIM profiles, making it easy to switch carriers or use separate plans for personal and work lines.

No. The previous owner's eSIM profile is removed during the refurbishment process, along with all other user data. When you set up your refurbished iPhone, you can activate your own eSIM through your carrier. Contact your carrier or check their website for eSIM activation instructions.

Most major carriers support eSIM, but availability varies. Check with your carrier before purchasing if eSIM support is important to you. If your carrier does not support eSIM, make sure the refurbished iPhone model you are buying has a physical SIM tray.

Yes, refurbished iPhones come with a warranty. Every refurbisher offers different terms, but you can expect at minimum a 30-day warranty on any iPhone listed on RefurbMe.

Here is what the major refurbishers offer for refurbished iPhones:

• Apple Refurbished Store: Full 1-year Apple warranty, identical to a new iPhone. Eligible for AppleCare+ coverage.
• Amazon Renewed: 1-year warranty through the Amazon Renewed Guarantee.
• Back Market: Minimum 12-month warranty from the seller, plus Back Market's buyer protection.
• Gazelle (US): 30-day return window and limited warranty.
• Other refurbishers: Warranty periods range from 30 days to 24 months depending on the seller.

You can compare warranty policies across all refurbishers to find the level of protection you need.

A refurbished iPhone warranty typically covers:

• Hardware defects (battery, screen, logic board, cameras, speakers)
• Software issues caused by hardware failures
• Manufacturing defects discovered after purchase

It usually does not cover accidental damage (drops, spills, cracked screens) or cosmetic wear consistent with the device's grade.

If the standard warranty feels too short, several options exist:

• AppleCare+ is available when you buy from the Apple Refurbished Store.
• Many third-party sellers offer optional warranty extensions at checkout.
• Third-party insurance plans can cover accidental damage beyond the seller's warranty.

Learn more about what a refurbished warranty covers and whether AppleCare works with refurbished products.

Not all refurbished iPhones receive a replacement battery as part of the refurbishing process. Whether or not the battery is replaced depends on the refurbisher and the condition of the original battery when the device is inspected.

The Apple Store guarantees that every refurbished iPhone comes with a new battery. This is one of the strongest selling points of Apple Certified Refurbished products. If you want to browse Apple refurbished iPhones on RefurbMe, filter by Apple Store products.

Third-party refurbishers such as Back Market, Amazon Renewed, and others handle batteries differently:

• Back Market requires sellers to ship iPhones with a battery health of at least 80%.
• Amazon Renewed tests battery capacity and replaces it if it falls below their threshold.
• Other refurbishers vary: some replace every battery, while others only replace batteries that fail testing.

When an iPhone gets refurbished by a professional refurbisher, it gets fully tested. If any parts are faulty, including the battery, they will be fixed or replaced.

After receiving your refurbished iPhone, you can verify the battery health yourself:

• Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
• Check the Maximum Capacity percentage. A new battery shows 100%; anything above 80% is considered healthy by Apple.
• If Peak Performance Capability shows a warning, the battery may need replacement.

For more details on what to expect, see our guide on what battery health refurbished iPhones have.

If you receive a refurbished iPhone with unexpectedly low battery health:

• Contact the seller immediately, as most refurbishers offer returns or exchanges within their return window.
• Check whether your purchase includes a warranty that covers battery issues.
• Use RefurbMe to compare refurbishers and choose one with a clear battery policy for your next purchase.

No. A refurbished iPhone from a professional refurbisher should never have an activation lock. Reputable sellers remove iCloud Activation Lock and erase all previous user data as a standard part of the refurbishment process.

Activation Lock is an Apple security feature tied to iCloud. When enabled, the iPhone cannot be set up or used without the original owner's Apple ID and password. It is designed to protect against theft, but it can also prevent a new owner from using a legitimately purchased device if it was not properly removed before resale.

All refurbishers listed on RefurbMe are vetted professionals who follow proper procedures to remove Activation Lock before listing any device. This is one of the key differences between buying from a certified refurbisher and buying from an individual seller on a marketplace.

If you buy a refurbished iPhone and encounter an Activation Lock screen during setup, contact the seller immediately. This should be covered under the seller's warranty and return policy.

When you receive your iPhone, you will know during the initial setup process whether Activation Lock is present. If the phone asks for a previous owner's Apple ID, it has not been properly cleared. For extra peace of mind, you can read our guide on what a locked phone means and how to handle it.