A simple in-person check
Turn on the iPhone and confirm it is erased. Begin setup and connect to Wi-Fi. If it displays “iPhone Locked to Owner” or requests the previous owner’s Apple Account, stop: the device remains linked. Give it back to the seller.
Do not rely on screenshots or IMEI reports
A screenshot can be outdated, and an IMEI report cannot prove that Apple’s Activation Lock has been removed. Check the actual device during setup. An IMEI may help with separate carrier or network status questions, but it cannot replace the activation check.
Finish setup before paying
Continue until you can reach the Home Screen or otherwise confirm setup completes without another person’s account. Check that the device is not managed by an organization if that matters for your use. Agree on a receipt and return terms.
If the seller is remote
Ask the seller to erase the phone and remove it from Find My before shipping. Make payment through a method with buyer protection. If you receive a device that asks for their account, contact the seller and platform promptly; do not buy a bypass service.