Used iPhone Buying Guide for Pakistan (2025): Don’t Get Scammed

Let’s be honest: for most of us in Pakistan, buying a brand-new, box-packed iPhone is a dream. The reality is the “used” market. Whether you’re at Hafeez Centre, Saddar, or buying from a local shop, the market for pre-owned iPhones is massive. But it’s also a minefield. It overflows with ‘refurbished’ fakes, stolen devices, and phones with ticking time bombs related to their approval. A single mistake can cost you lakhs. If you’re in the market for a used iPhone, you need to be paranoid. This is your ultimate iPhone buying guide for Pakistan. Do not hand over a single rupee until you have gone through every single step.

Check out our iPhone 17 blog.

Check 1: The PTA Approval (The Most Important Check)

This is the ultimate deal-breaker. An iPhone without proper PTA approval is just an expensive iPod.

• What it is: Proof that all duties and taxes have been paid for the device to be used on Pakistani mobile networks.
• The Scams to Avoid:
  • “CPID” Phones: This is the biggest scam right now. A seller will show you the phone is ‘PTA Approved,’ but a scammer has ‘patched’ it illegally or cloned the IMEI of a cheaper phone. These phones work for a while, but the PTA eventually detects and blocks them. There is no fix.
  • “JV” or “Gevey SIM” Phones: These are carrier-locked phones from the US or Japan. They require a special chip (a Gevey SIM) to be placed under your real SIM to trick the phone. These are a nightmare. You can’t update iOS, and the signal drops constantly. Never buy a JV phone.

How to Check (The Only Way):

1. On the iPhone, dial *#06# to get the IMEI number.
2. Send this IMEI number in an SMS to 8484.
3. You must receive a reply from the PTA that says the device is “PTA Approved.”
4. Crucial Step: Now, go to Settings > General > About. The IMEI number listed there must match the one you dialed. If it doesn’t, it’s a “patched” or CPID phone. WALK AWAY.

Check 2: Battery Health vs. Battery Scams

A new battery for an iPhone Pro model can cost over PKR 15,000. This check is vital.

• How to Check: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
• What to Look For:
  • 85% – 95%: This is the sweet spot for a phone that’s 1-2 years old. It’s healthy and original.
  • Below 85%: The battery is aging. You’ll likely need to replace it within a year. Use this to negotiate the price down.
  • 100% (The Red Flag): If you are buying a used iPhone 12, 13, or 14 and the health is 100%, be extremely suspicious. The seller has either “boosted” the software to show 100% or has installed a cheap, fake battery. An original battery at 100% after two years is almost impossible.

Check 3: Is it a Fake? (The Hardware Check)

This is how you spot a “refurbished” phone (the bad kind, with cheap parts).

• The “True Tone” Test: Go to Settings > Display & Brightness. Screen has been replaced with non-Apple one, if the “True Tone” toggle is missing. This is a 100% reliable test.
• The Body: Look at the two tiny screws on either side of the charging port. Are they scratched or worn out? That means someone has opened the phone.
• The Cameras: This is a big one. Open the Camera app.
  • Test every single lens. Tap the .5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x zoom options.
  • Test Portrait Mode.
  • Test the Front Camera.
  • Look for any black spots or dust inside the lens.
• The Water Seal: Assume no used iPhone is water-resistant. The moment it’s opened for repair (or if it’s a refurb), the seal is gone. Don’t let a seller convince you otherwise.

Check 4: The iCloud Lock (The “Brick” Test)

If you miss this, you will have bought a very expensive paperweight. This check is not optional.

• What it is: An anti-theft lock that ties the phone to the original owner’s Apple ID. It cannot be bypassed.
• How to Check:
  1. In front of the seller, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  2. Tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”
  3. The phone will restart and show the “Hello” screen.
  4. Set it up. If at any point during the setup it asks for a previous owner’s Apple ID and password (it will say ‘Activation Lock’), it means someone stole the phone.
  5. DO NOT accept any excuse like “I will remove it for you at home” or “Just connect it to iTunes.” If it’s locked, it’s a brick. Hand it back and leave.

Check 5: The Final Hardware Test

You’re almost there. Now, test the basic functions.

1. Make a Call: Check the earpiece speaker and the microphone.
2. Play a YouTube Video: Check that both speakers (the bottom one and the earpiece) are working for stereo sound.
3. Plug it in: Test the charging port.
4. Connect: Test Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (connect to the shop’s Wi-Fi or your friend’s hotspot).
5. Face ID: Make sure it sets up and works flawlessly.

Conclusion: Your Quick-Reference Red Flags

If you’re in a hurry, here are the three absolute “DO NOT BUY” warnings:

1. NO PTA APPROVAL (Fails the 8484 test or IMEls don’t match).
2. NO “TRUE TONE” (Means a cheap, fake screen).
3. ANY SIGN OF AN ICLOUD LOCK (It’s stolen).

Buying a used iPhone in Pakistan is a high-risk, high-reward game. Don’t let the excitement of a (seemingly) good deal rush you into a bad decision. Be patient, follow this checklist, and if anything feels wrong, walk away.