Selling a Phone or Electronics Without Getting Burned
Published October 2026Phones, laptops and game consoles sell quickly on local classifieds. They also hold your personal data, so a few steps matter.
Sellers: wipe your data first
- Back up everything you want to keep.
- Sign out of your accounts, such as Apple ID or Google, and remove the device from your account lists.
- Do a full factory reset.
- Take out the SIM card and any memory card.
Sellers: show what it really is
List the model, storage size, battery health if you know it, screen condition and whether it comes with a charger or box. A photo of the settings page showing the model builds trust.
Buyers: check before you pay
- Turn it on and test the screen, buttons, cameras, speaker and charging port.
- Check that it is not locked to someone's account and is not reported lost or stolen.
- Look up the serial number or IMEI if the device has one.
- Be wary of prices far below normal.
Meet where you can test it
A cafe with Wi-Fi works well, because the buyer can test the device and the seller can see it being used. Do the exchange in person and avoid pre-payments.
Keep a record
Keep the chat in the app. It shows what was agreed if there is a disagreement later.