Published Last updated Written and reviewed by the Resale Intelligence team
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A device still locked to iCloud, Google or MDM can't be resold. Have the owner sign out in front of you; if the check fails, it won't become ready to sell.
A device that is still tied to its previous owner's account, such as Apple iCloud (Find My), a Google account on Android or a company's MDM, can't be resold, because the next buyer can't activate it. That's why "iCloud / Google / MDM lock removed" is a critical check in every checklist.
Check before you buy
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iPhone and iPad: open Settings. There must be no account name at the top, and Find My must be off.
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Android: open Settings → Accounts. No Google account may remain.
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MacBook: the Apple ID must be signed out, and there must be no company management (MDM) profile.
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Have the owner sign out in front of you, then reset the device to factory settings.
If the device is still locked
When you set the account-unlock check to Faulty/failed:
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The system shows the red warning Don't accept this device straight away.
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The warning doesn't block saving. If everything else is filled in, the purchase can still be confirmed, so the decision is the shop's.
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If you save, the result is Fail and the device stays Received instead of becoming Ready to sell.
Our advice: don't buy until the owner can remove the lock.
If you find out after buying
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The owner unlocks it later: open the item, tap Inspect and set the unlock check to Normal. If the other checks pass, the device becomes ready to sell.
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You just bought it and haven't done anything with it: void the purchase document with a reason. See Void a document: steps and reason.
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The rightful owner claims it, or the authorities seize it: use Write off with the matching cause. See Write off damaged or lost stock.
What helps prevent it
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Always record the seller's identity in full. See Record the seller and their national ID.
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Print the purchase voucher with the seller's ownership declaration and have the seller sign it.
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Photograph the settings screen showing the account is signed out, and keep it as an evidence photo in the inspection.
Does the system check the lock for me?
The system isn't connected to Apple or Google, so it can't check a lock from the IMEI. Staff must check on the device and record the result in the checklist. That result is kept in the device's inspection history, so you can see later who checked it and when.