How to Check a Used Phone Before You Pay for It
A free IMEI lookup tells you if a phone is genuine and whether it has been reported. It cannot tell you about a swapped screen, a tired battery or water damage. Run the free checks below on any phone, from any seller, then bring it to Ziggatech at 1A Bashiru Oweh St, Ikeja, Lagos for an in-person inspection before money moves.
Last updated: October 06, 2026
Four checks you can run yourself
1. Find the real IMEI. Dial *#06# on the phone. On an iPhone, also open Settings → General → About. The number should match the box and the SIM tray. If the numbers disagree, walk away.
2. Confirm it is genuine (free). For an iPhone, enter the serial number in Apple's free coverage checker. It confirms the model and whether Apple recognises the device. If Apple does not recognise it, nothing else matters.
3. Check blacklist and lock status (paid). SICKW runs detailed IMEI reports, including blacklist, carrier lock and iCloud / Find My status, for a small fee per check. It is the most detailed lookup we know of. Ziggatech is not affiliated with it.
4. Make sure it is signed out. On an iPhone, Settings → your name should show no Apple ID, and Find My must be off. On a Samsung, the previous owner's Google and Samsung accounts must be removed. A phone still tied to someone else's account is locked hardware.
What no online check can tell you
An IMEI report describes the phone's record, not the phone in your hand. It will not show a replaced or non-original screen, a swapped battery, a failing Face ID, water damage, or a board that has been opened. Those are the faults that turn a good price into a bad deal, and they only show up when someone opens the settings, tests the hardware and knows what an original part looks like.
That is what we do in Ikeja. Bring the phone you are about to buy, from Computer Village, Instagram, Jiji or a friend, and a Ziggatech technician will inspect it with you: IMEI and serial match, account and lock status, battery health, parts and service history, screen, cameras, Face ID or fingerprint, speakers, charging and signs of liquid damage. You leave knowing what you are paying for, and what it is really worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a used phone in Nigeria is stolen?
Dial *#06# to get the IMEI, then run it through a blacklist checker such as SICKW before you pay. A clean report means the phone has not been reported, not that it is in good condition, so pair it with an in-person inspection. Ziggatech inspects phones bought elsewhere at its Ikeja, Lagos store.
Is Apple's coverage checker enough to verify an iPhone?
It confirms the iPhone is genuine and recognised by Apple, which is the right first step and costs nothing. It does not show blacklist status, iCloud lock or any repairs. Use a detailed IMEI report for the record, and a hands-on inspection for the hardware.
Does Ziggatech have its own online IMEI checker?
No. Ziggatech points customers to Apple's free coverage checker and to SICKW for detailed reports, and does the part no website can: inspecting the phone in person at its store at 1A Bashiru Oweh St, off Medical Road, Ikeja, Lagos.
Can Ziggatech inspect a phone I am buying from someone else?
Yes. Bring the phone before you pay for it, with the seller if you can. A technician checks the IMEI and serial, account and lock status, battery health, parts history and the hardware itself. Book on WhatsApp and the fee is confirmed before the inspection starts.
How can I tell if an iPhone screen or battery has been replaced?
On recent iPhones, Settings → General → About shows a Parts and Service History section that flags non-genuine or unknown parts. Older models do not show this, and a skilled swap can still be missed by eye, which is why a technician's inspection is worth doing before you pay.