Checking for Water Damage in Your Used iPhone 4: A Guide by Alie with iMore
When it comes to buying a used iPhone 4, especially on Craigslist or eBay, it's essential to check for water damage. Apple puts four water sensors in these phones, and identifying any issues can help you avoid buying a lemon. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how to check for water damage in your used iPhone 4.
The First Place to Check: The Headphone Jack
The first place to start checking is the bottom of the headphone jack. There's a small white circular sensor located there that can be challenging to spot without a flashlight. Shine a light into the jack, and if you see any red or corroded areas, it may indicate water damage. Another sensor is located in the dot connector on the back of the phone, which should also be white. If you don't want to take apart your iPhone 4, these two sensors are the easiest ones to check. Simply bring a pocket flashlight or other light source with you when meeting up with someone to buy a phone from them.
Taking It Further: Additional Water Sensors
If you're feeling adventurous and want to take it one step further, you can easily access the internal water sensors. You'll need a security screwdriver or a regular screwdriver, depending on your preference. If you have both, bring them along for added convenience. The two internal sensors are not hard to check at all; you just need to pop off the back of the phone and examine the logic board area.
Logic Board Sensor: A Critical Check
One sensor that's often overlooked is the one covering the screw to the logic board. Make sure this sensor is white, as a red or corroded appearance can indicate water damage. Another sensor is located above the battery connector; ensure it's also white. These two internal sensors are crucial to check before purchasing a used iPhone 4.
Checking for Water Damage: What You Should Look For
When inspecting your used iPhone 4 for water damage, keep an eye out for these signs:
* Corrosion or red discoloration on the sensor areas
* Missing screws or loose connections
* Torn or damaged cables
* Any visible signs of rust or mineral deposits
If you notice any of these issues, it's best to avoid buying the phone altogether.
The Importance of Checking Water Damage in Used iPhones
Water damage can be a significant issue with used iPhones, especially those from Craigslist or eBay. The GSM model is particularly susceptible because it can be unlocked to use with another carrier, making it a hot commodity and often not cheap. If you're in the market for a used iPhone 4, take extra care when inspecting the phone for water damage.
Shooting an Email to the Seller: A Smart Move
If you do decide to purchase a used iPhone 4 from someone on Craigslist or eBay, consider shooting them an email asking them to check for water damage before sending the phone your way. This can give you peace of mind knowing that the seller has taken steps to verify the phone's condition.
Booting Up Your New Phone: A Final Check
Before finalizing your purchase, always boot up the iPhone 4 and test it thoroughly. If the seller tells you it's unlocked, go ahead and activate it using your SIM card or iCloud account. However, if you're unsure about the phone's water damage status, wait until you receive it before activating it.
By following these steps and being vigilant when inspecting a used iPhone 4 for water damage, you can make an informed decision and avoid buying a lemon. Remember to always prioritize your safety and invest in a reputable seller or purchase from a trusted source.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhey guys this is Alie with imore and today we're going to look at uh something that's very simple to check and something I recommend everyone checking uh before they purchase a used iPhone 4 uh whether you're on Verizon or AT&T really I don't think should make any difference this is a GSM model um and this is normally the model that you're going to see traded or bought or sold on eBay Craigslist if you're buying locally which I highly recommend you're always going to want to check the phone for water damage I get a enormous amount of clients that come in that purchase a phone off of Craigslist or you know another third-party site and the phone works and then it stops working so the first thing you want to check for is water damage this is typically the culprit the phone might work okay for a bit and then it gives out so um Apple puts four water sensors in these uh the first place you're going to want to look is in the bottom of the head headphone jack um there's a little white circular uh water sensor down here you probably can't see it in the video but shining a flashlight in there will show you um what you're looking for is to make sure that these are white and not red uh there's another one that's in the dot connector if you're looking at the back of the phone it's right in the center here it's a square that sits right in the back of the dot connector that should be uh white as well so if you don't want to take the phone apart um those are the two easiest ones to check just bring a you know a pocket flashlight or something with you when you go to meet up with someone to buy a phone off of them make sure those aren't damaged if you want to take it one step further the two inside are not hard to check at all all you're going to need is a security screwdriver or a regular screwdriver depending I would probably just bring both with you if you have them um if you do have that ability there is a water sensor that covers the screw to the logic board right there and you want to make sure sure that's white and you've also got another one right here above the battery connector and you want to make sure those are white uh these are two things you're going to want to check before purchasing a used phone I see many people that get scammed into buying water damaged iPhones uh the GSM model particularly because they can be unlocked to use with another carrier so they're kind of a hot commodity and they're not cheap so if you are buying used at least check the external sensors um and if the person selling it doesn't mind you taking the backup off um I highly suggest doing that as well it's just two screws you can also look up our tutorial on how to remove these very easy you just remove the two screws pop it up and the back will slide right off and you pop it right back down so if you're in the market to buy a used iPhone 4 not on contract from someone on Craigslist or eBay or something I highly suggest checking these or shooting the seller an email and asking them to check these and send pictures so uh that's an easy way to tell if the phone's been water damaged it's also a good way for you to get a good look at the components and make sure that you know nothing looks off or that the phone doesn't look open normally you'll know there will'll be screws missing or um you know you might see cables torn or whatnot and obviously always boot up the phone if they're telling you it's unlocked go ahead and pop your Simon and try it but always check for water damage before buying a used phone on Craigslist or eBayhey guys this is Alie with imore and today we're going to look at uh something that's very simple to check and something I recommend everyone checking uh before they purchase a used iPhone 4 uh whether you're on Verizon or AT&T really I don't think should make any difference this is a GSM model um and this is normally the model that you're going to see traded or bought or sold on eBay Craigslist if you're buying locally which I highly recommend you're always going to want to check the phone for water damage I get a enormous amount of clients that come in that purchase a phone off of Craigslist or you know another third-party site and the phone works and then it stops working so the first thing you want to check for is water damage this is typically the culprit the phone might work okay for a bit and then it gives out so um Apple puts four water sensors in these uh the first place you're going to want to look is in the bottom of the head headphone jack um there's a little white circular uh water sensor down here you probably can't see it in the video but shining a flashlight in there will show you um what you're looking for is to make sure that these are white and not red uh there's another one that's in the dot connector if you're looking at the back of the phone it's right in the center here it's a square that sits right in the back of the dot connector that should be uh white as well so if you don't want to take the phone apart um those are the two easiest ones to check just bring a you know a pocket flashlight or something with you when you go to meet up with someone to buy a phone off of them make sure those aren't damaged if you want to take it one step further the two inside are not hard to check at all all you're going to need is a security screwdriver or a regular screwdriver depending I would probably just bring both with you if you have them um if you do have that ability there is a water sensor that covers the screw to the logic board right there and you want to make sure sure that's white and you've also got another one right here above the battery connector and you want to make sure those are white uh these are two things you're going to want to check before purchasing a used phone I see many people that get scammed into buying water damaged iPhones uh the GSM model particularly because they can be unlocked to use with another carrier so they're kind of a hot commodity and they're not cheap so if you are buying used at least check the external sensors um and if the person selling it doesn't mind you taking the backup off um I highly suggest doing that as well it's just two screws you can also look up our tutorial on how to remove these very easy you just remove the two screws pop it up and the back will slide right off and you pop it right back down so if you're in the market to buy a used iPhone 4 not on contract from someone on Craigslist or eBay or something I highly suggest checking these or shooting the seller an email and asking them to check these and send pictures so uh that's an easy way to tell if the phone's been water damaged it's also a good way for you to get a good look at the components and make sure that you know nothing looks off or that the phone doesn't look open normally you'll know there will'll be screws missing or um you know you might see cables torn or whatnot and obviously always boot up the phone if they're telling you it's unlocked go ahead and pop your Simon and try it but always check for water damage before buying a used phone on Craigslist or eBay\n"
