Purchasing used Apple products online, recommendations and things to avoid.

Many ways to purchase a used apple product online, some local shops actually buy them in bulk then resell them, then you find they were jailbroken and icloud locked!!! bummer.

So avoiding all that , what would you recommend? No fun in wasting money purchasing from a shop to find you were scammed ( local shops not online which hurts more ).


Would you recommend using old iPad, Macbooks or just get a cheap android at same price?

Posted on Jun 2, 2025 3:58 AM

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2 replies

Jun 2, 2025 10:59 AM in response to Edu-The-Macintosh7420

My recommendation is to avoid buying used.


When I started here 20+ years ago when log-in security measures were somewhere between minimal and non-existent, buying used was not much of a risk. Today, with Apple IDs, two-factor authentication, and other security schemes, I see little good from buying used.


Online, you cannot inspect the device. One person bought a "factory refurbished" iMac online that, on arrival, had duct tape holding the screen cover in place. The only refurbs you know are true, warranted Apple refurbs are only sold web-direct by Apple, and not by other parties.


We see far too many posts here from people who bought used only to find the device was useless because the security measures had not been reset for resale. Used devices cast off by companies and schools are the worst. for not being properly prepared for resale.


Apple refurbs are not available in all countries and regions. In the US they are available here:


Certified Refurbished


If you are not in the US, go you your localized Apple home page and scroll to the bottom. It you see this:



genuine Apple refurbs are available to you.

Jun 2, 2025 4:27 AM in response to Edu-The-Macintosh7420

The problem with buying used Apple gear is that many sellers fail to properly prepare the device for resale, gifting, or recycling. The buyer (you) then finds themselves confronting Activation Lock, a theft deterrent state which cannot be worked around or removed without the original owner's operation. There are many sad stories here about used Apple gear being locked and unusable. The buyer is simply out of luck. The following links describe what the seller must do before selling you an Apple device. Make absolutely sure that there seller has done so.


What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support


How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support


By the way, Android products have a similar anti-theft deterrent. As you probably know, smartphone theft is rampant around the world.




Purchasing used Apple products online, recommendations and things to avoid.

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