How to Sell a Used Phone Online in the UK

To sell a used phone online in the UK, back up your data, sign out of your Apple or Google account, erase the phone with its built-in reset, and describe the model, storage, network status and condition exactly. If you skip the sign-out, the buyer may not be able to use the phone at all. Then pack it securely, because Royal Mail accepts phones with their batteries fitted only under its battery rules.

Before you erase anything

Erasing a phone removes everything on it, so prepare first. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advises the following (NCSC: buying and selling second-hand devices):

• back up the photos, messages and files you want to keep, and check the backup works
• note which accounts and apps you are signed in to
• if the phone receives sign-in codes by text or an authenticator app, move that to your new device and check it works before you erase the old one

Take out your SIM card and any memory card too. If you have an Apple Watch paired with an iPhone, unpair it first (Apple Support: what to do before you sell your iPhone).

Remove the locks and erase the phone

Both main phone systems have a protection feature that stops a stranger from using a lost or stolen phone. It will also stop your buyer if you leave it on.

On an iPhone, sign out of your Apple Account in Settings, then go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset, and tap Erase All Content and Settings. Apple says that erasing the iPhone turns off Find My and Activation Lock; you may need your Apple Account password during the process (Apple Support: what to do before you sell your iPhone).

On an Android phone, remove your Google Account from the phone before you reset it. Google says that removing the account turns off device protection, and that after a factory reset of a protected phone the person setting it up must enter the Google Account details; if they cannot, they will not be able to use the device at all (Google Android Help: help prevent others from using your device).

The NCSC calls the built-in Erase All Content and Settings or factory reset feature the best way to make sure your data is erased. It adds that a determined expert using specialist tools may still be able to recover data, so for very sensitive data it points to its secure sanitisation guidance (NCSC: buying and selling second-hand devices).

After the reset, switch the phone on and check it shows the setup screen, not your account.

Network lock and the IMEI number

Ofcom rules that came into force on 17 December 2021 banned mobile companies from selling customers locked handsets (Ofcom: mobile companies now banned from selling locked handsets). A phone bought before then may still be locked to one network. Put a SIM from another network in it, or check the settings, and state in the listing whether it is unlocked.

Every phone has a unique identifier, the IMEI number, which you can find in the settings. It is a criminal offence to change a phone's unique device identifier or interfere with how it works, or to offer to do so, unless you are the manufacturer or have its written consent (Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act 2002, section 1). A buyer may ask for the IMEI to check the phone has not been reported lost or stolen; you can share it with a serious buyer before the sale.

Describe it precisely

Buyers compare phones line by line, so give them every line:

• the exact model and the model number from the settings
• storage capacity and colour
• network status: unlocked, or the network it is locked to
• battery: the battery health reading if the phone shows one, and how long a charge lasts in normal use
• screen: scratches, cracks, dead pixels, screen burn
• body: dents and scuffs on the frame and back
• repairs: anything replaced, and whether the work was done by the manufacturer
• what is included: box, cable, charger, case

If you include a mains charger, include the original one. A business selling second-hand electrical goods must make sure they are safe, and any appliance with a UK plug must have an approved plug with sleeved pins and the correct fuse (Business Companion: second-hand electrical goods).

If you sell as a trader, the phone must match your description and be of satisfactory quality, judged by what a reasonable person would expect given the description, the price and other circumstances (Consumer Rights Act 2015, sections 9 and 11). Leaving out information the average buyer needs to make an informed decision, such as a non-original screen, can be a misleading omission (Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, section 227).

Price from sold phones

Look at completed sales of the same model and storage, in the same condition and network status. Condition grades vary between sellers, so compare photos rather than relying on labels such as "good" or "excellent". A phone with a cracked back or a weak battery should be priced against others with the same fault, or after the repair.

Photographs

Take photos in daylight with the phone switched on:

• the screen showing a plain white background, to show marks and dead pixels
• the screen showing a dark background, to show burn-in
• the back, the camera lenses and each edge
• any damage, close-up
• the settings page showing model and storage, with the IMEI covered

Packing and posting

Switch the phone off. Royal Mail accepts lithium-ion batteries contained in a device for UK and international post, with restrictions. Damaged or recalled batteries are not allowed. Each package may contain no more than four cells or two batteries installed in devices, and no battery may exceed 100 Wh. The device must be protected against short circuit, packed in strong rigid packaging, secured against movement and protected from being switched on by accident, and the sender's name and return address must be on the outside (Royal Mail: prohibited and restricted items, batteries).

A phone with a swollen battery counts as damaged. Do not post it; have the battery replaced first or sell the phone for collection only.

If you sell as a trader, you are liable for loss or damage in transit even when the courier is at fault, and the buyer can cancel within 14 days of receiving the phone (Business Companion: selling goods via online platforms).

Private seller or trader

Selling your own old phone when you upgrade is a private sale. Buying phones to sell at a profit, or refurbishing them to sell, is likely to be trading: HMRC says you are probably trading if you sell goods you bought intending to sell for a profit, and trading income above the £1,000 trading allowance in a tax year must be reported (HMRC: income from online platforms). Business Companion lists making or refurbishing goods for sale, and selling frequently or in significant quantities, among the signs that you are in business (Business Companion: am I in business?).

Another way to be found

Clear model details, an honest condition report and a phone that is ready to set up give a buyer confidence before they pay. You can also list your phones on MC999, a UK marketplace where shoppers discover products and the independent shops behind them. If you run a Shopify, Shopline or BigCommerce shop, you can connect it; if not, you can add products manually. The How to Sell guide explains both routes.

Already selling through your own shop? See how to add your products to MC999 and give shoppers another way to find your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell a phone that does not switch on?

Yes, as faulty or for parts, as long as the listing says clearly that it does not power on and that it has not been erased. Think about your data first: if the phone cannot be erased, whoever repairs it may be able to access what is stored on it. Price it against other phones sold for parts.

Do I need to remove my SIM card and memory card?

Yes. A reset is designed to erase the phone's own storage and may leave a SIM card or memory card untouched, and both can hold personal information. Keep your SIM card, and either wipe the memory card or keep it.

Should I tell buyers about a third-party screen repair?

Yes. A replacement screen can look and behave differently from the original, and a buyer will see it as part of the phone's condition. If you sell as a trader, leaving it out can mislead.

Sell on MC999

Ready to start selling without paying commission on every sale? Join MC999 as a Founding Seller and keep full control over your prices, delivery and returns.