How PhonesForCash Tests a Phone

1. Model and storage verification

We check the model name, model number and capacity in Settings, and confirm against the IMEI and any visible model markings. This catches the common mistakes — confusing iPhone 14 with 15, or reporting 128GB when the phone is 256GB.

2. IMEI checks

• Blacklist status — checks the phone hasn't been reported lost or stolen
• Finance / contract status — checks the device isn't on an open network or finance plan
• Carrier lock status where relevant

3. Account-lock checks

For iPhone we confirm Find My is off and the device isn't Activation Locked. For Android we check that Google Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is clear and that no Samsung, OPPO or HUAWEI account is still signed in. Devices with an active Apple, Google or manufacturer account lock cannot normally be purchased — the legitimate owner must remove the account through official methods first. We do not bypass account or ownership protections.

4. Screen and touch

We inspect for cracks, edge damage, dead pixels, burn-in / image retention, and uneven brightness — see why OLED damage reduces Samsung value. Touch is tested by running a multi-touch diagnostic across the whole panel.

5. Cameras

Each rear lens (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto where present) and the front camera are tested for autofocus, image quality, dust under the glass, and lens-cover damage. A faulty ultra-wide on a Pro model is a meaningful deduction.

6. Battery

On iPhone we read Battery Health (Settings → Battery). On Samsung and Pixel we use the on-device battery diagnostic where available. Service messages, swollen batteries and abnormal drain all affect the offer — see why battery health affects value.

7. Speakers, microphones and buttons

Earpiece, loudspeaker, microphone (recording playback test), volume buttons, power button, mute / action button on relevant iPhones, and biometric hardware — Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint reader.

8. Charging and connectivity

• Wired charging (Lightning / USB-C / older micro-USB)
• Wireless / MagSafe where present
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular signal
• Face ID dot projector / proximity sensor where relevant

9. Cosmetic inspection

Front, back, frame, lens covers, ports. Scratches, dents, paint chips and edge wear all factor into the cosmetic grade — see phone condition grading explained.

How findings affect a confirmed offer

If the inspection matches the description, the WhatsApp figure normally becomes the firm offer. Where we find a fault that wasn't mentioned, the figure adjusts to reflect the cost of refurbishment or parts recovery. Disclosed faults rarely change the firm offer; undisclosed faults usually do.

Device Status, Ownership and Security Checks

Alongside the hands-on diagnostic, every device runs through a set of status, ownership and security checks. These are what make a high-street buying counter different from a quick courier trade-in — and they protect both you and the next owner.

MobiCode / MobiCHECK

We use MobiCode services — specifically MobiCHECK where applicable — as part of a consistent, recorded testing workflow. Depending on the service and the device, MobiCode tooling can support:

• Device identification (make, model, exact variant)
• Structured functional diagnostics across screen, camera, sensors, audio and connectivity
• IMEI checks against the relevant databases the service queries
• Network-block status indication
• Lost or stolen indicators where the service returns them
• Finance or insurance indicators where the service returns them
• A consistent testing record per device
• Data-erasure workflows where the relevant MobiCode service is used and supported on the device

Not every MobiCode product performs every check — the specific result depends on the service we're using for that device. Using a structured tool reduces inconsistency between staff and between visits.

CheckMEND

A CheckMEND report can help identify records returned by the service, including:

• Devices reported lost
• Devices reported stolen
• Network-blocked devices
• Settled insurance claims
• Other device-history concerns the service surfaces

A clean CheckMEND result reflects the records the service has at the time of the check. It does not guarantee legal ownership, and it does not mean a device can never be reported later. Where a check flags a device, we'll explain it openly and the device goes back home with you — no purchase, no judgement.

Find My and Activation Lock checks

For Apple devices, the inspection includes confirming that the device is no longer associated with another Apple Account:

• iPhone and iPad must be ready for legitimate activation by a new owner — the setup / Hello screen with no Apple Account prompt is the visible confirmation
• Apple Watch Activation Lock must be removed — see remove Activation Lock from Apple Watch
• AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max must be removed from the previous owner's Apple Account — see remove AirPods from your Apple Account
• The exact method varies and may involve inspection of the device, the setup screen, Find My status or supported specialist checking tools
• These checks are sometimes referred to within the trade as Find My iPhone or FMIP checks

We do not publicly claim direct access to any private Apple database — checks are performed using the device itself and authorised industry tooling.

Clear limitations

• Checks reflect the information available to the relevant service at the time of inspection
• Database and diagnostic results form part of the assessment — they do not replace identification, proof of ownership or physical inspection
• Staff cannot unlock an account-protected device — including Activation Lock, Stolen Device Protection, Lost Mode, FRP, MDM or a Samsung account check
• PhonesForCash does not alter IMEI or serial information
• Suspicious, blocked, lost, stolen or insurance-claimed devices may be refused or handled under the appropriate company procedure

What we don't do

We don't perform invasive teardown, don't open sealed devices, and don't attempt repairs as part of the inspection. We don't run third-party diagnostic services that aren't endorsed by the relevant manufacturer or industry tooling. We don't quote final figures without seeing the device — the WhatsApp number is always an estimate.

Common questions