How to avoid buying an iPhone stolen – CNET in Spanish

do you Plan to buy an iPhone or an iPad used? If you’re buying from an individual, either locally or from a source like eBay, things are now a bit more complicated.

For unknown reasons, Apple seems to have removed the function Activation Lock, which was previously available through iCloud.com. Activation Lock is a security feature in iOS. With this activated, a device is registered with that account until the user disables the function. In this way, if a device is stolen and put up for sale, buyers in power can check the IMEI or the serial number of the device and see if the device is still registered with the iCloud account.

What happened with Activation Lock?

Rick Broida/CNET

The risk

For example, a thief with a iPhone stolen could listarlo on Craigslist or eBay for a low price with the idea of selling it quickly. But if the phone is still locked to the account owner, you will not be able to do anything with him. And without the checker of blockade of activation (Activation Lock), you can’t determine that state before you buy it.

The solution

however, all is not lost. If this is a buy online, you can still ask the IMEI number of the device and use the verification function of the operators:

The verifier IMEI on Swappa lets you determine if a used device has been stolen.

Rick Broida/CNET

The service of Sprint bring your own device Mentioned an inspector IMEI, but I couldn’t find any place to enter a number. Fortunately, there are also available verifiers IMEI of third parties, such as this of the buyer and seller of services Swappa.

it Is important to note, however, that even though a check of the IMEI can help you determine if a phone is stolen, it doesn’t tell you if it is still locked to the account of the previous owner. In fact, I think that it is entirely possible that an IMEI appears “clean” while the iPhone or the iPad is still locked by the user.

Apple suggests

In consequence, Apple offers the following guidelines when buying a used device:

When you buy an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Apple Watch of anyone other than Apple or an authorized reseller of Apple, it’s up to you to make sure that the device has been erased and is no longer linked to the account of the previous owner. Follow these steps before buying the device:

1. Turns the device on and slide to unlock.
2. If you see the lock screen with password or screen, the device has not been cleared. Ask the retailer to completely delete the device and go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase all content and settings. Do not take possession of any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch used until it has been cleared.
3. Begins the process of configuring the device.

4. After choosing a language, a country or a region and connect to a network, the device will begin activation. If prompted for the Apple ID and password of the previous owner, the device will continue to be linked to your account. Handing the device back to the seller and ask him to enter your password. If the previous owner is not present, can remove the device from your account by logging in icloud.com/find. Do not take possession of any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch used to that have been deleted from the account from the previous owner.

you will Know that a device is ready for use when prompted to “Configure your iPhone”, “Set up your iPad” or “Set up your iPod” the first time you turn it on.

short Version: Only purchase from someone with whom you can meet in person, and take the time to go through the process of setting up before you pull out your wallet.