Are refurbished iPhones sold with a contract or SIM card?
No, refurbished iPhones are not sold with a contract or a SIM card. You buy the hardware only, with no monthly plan, phone number, or carrier commitment. After the phone arrives, you add your own SIM or activate an eSIM. This applies to Apple Store, Back Market, Amazon Renewed, and the other refurbishers on RefurbMe unless a listing states otherwise.
What comes with a refurbished iPhone?
Professional refurbishers are not carriers, so they sell the device on its own:
- No contract. You pay once. There is no carrier agreement or monthly instalment tied to the phone.
- No SIM card. You supply your own physical SIM or activate an eSIM.
- No phone number. Keep your current number by moving your SIM, or get a new one from a carrier separately.
Can I put my own SIM in a refurbished iPhone?
Yes. Once it arrives, insert your Nano-SIM or set up an eSIM and the phone activates on your carrier. Two things to check first:
- Lock status. Some refurbished iPhones are locked to one carrier. For full freedom, choose an unlocked phone. If you end up with a locked device, here is how to unlock an iPhone.
- SIM type. Most iPhones use a Nano-SIM. iPhone 14 and later sold in the US are eSIM-only with no SIM tray, and all iPhone 17 models and iPhone Air are eSIM-only worldwide.
Is eSIM an option?
Yes. If your refurbished iPhone supports eSIM (iPhone XS and later), you can skip the physical SIM and activate a plan digitally in minutes, which is handy if you want to get connected the moment the phone arrives. See using eSIM on a refurbished iPhone.
