I have always been passionate about using the latest and most advanced technology. However, keeping up with the newest gadgets can quickly become an expensive hobby. To manage my expenses, I, like 26.4% of Zimbabweans, buy my smartphones second-hand. While I have had great success with this approach, I recently encountered a major inconvenience.
The Problem: A Locked Huawei ID
In April of 2022, I purchased a Huawei Mate 40 Pro through a swap and top deal, trading in my P30 Pro and adding some cash. However, I neglected to perform a routine factory reset to ensure that the previous owner’s accounts were logged out.
A year later, when I finally decided to perform a factory reset, I was asked to verify an ID that was not mine. It was linked to a South African number, which posed a significant problem. While there were workarounds to reset the Huawei ID, they would not work if security patches were up to date – mine was. Huawei’s smartphones are virtually uncrackable.
The Solution: How to Buy Second-Hand Phones the Right Way
Buy from a Trusted Seller
It is important to purchase from a trusted seller. A reputable seller will take down your details, the details of the phone you are trading in, and the details of the new phone you are purchasing. They will issue a receipt and offer a warranty for your device.
Check for Physical Defects
Inspect the phone thoroughly for any physical defects. Check for any loose parts that may indicate that the phone has been opened before.
Test the Phone
Make sure the phone turns on and functions properly. Test the camera, charging capabilities, and touch screen, and make calls to test the earpiece, loudspeaker, and mics.
Perform a Factory Reset
Finally, perform a factory reset and set up the phone from scratch. This ensures that there are no accounts from the previous owner that could lock you out and removes any unwanted settings or apps. A factory reset also provides an easy setup process and introduces you to the unique features of the phone.