Buying a Used Phone in Canada
Canadians buy used phones mostly on Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace and eBay.ca. Canada has a national blacklist for lost and stolen phones and a free official lookup, and the CRTC’s Wireless Code means phones are unlocked for free. Here is what to check before you pay.
Where people buy used phones in Canada
- Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace: Local, usually cash, with no buyer protection. Meet in person, test the phone and run the IMEI check on the spot.
- eBay.ca: The eBay Money Back Guarantee applies when you pay through eBay.
- Refurbished (carriers, Back Market, Best Buy): Cost more but include a warranty.
Check it isn’t stolen or blocked
Use Device Check Canada, the free lookup run by the Canadian Telecommunications Association (see canadatelecoms.ca). Enter the IMEI from *#06# to see whether the phone has been reported lost or stolen in Canada, or in the US through the shared GSMA database. Blacklisted phones can’t be activated on Canadian networks. Check the number’s format first with our IMEI checker.
Carrier locks and network compatibility
Under the CRTC’s Wireless Code, phones sold by Canadian carriers since December 2017 come unlocked, and carriers must unlock older ones for free on request. Still, test with your own SIM before paying.
Your rights
A private sale comes with no warranty. Provincial consumer protection laws mostly apply to businesses, so when you buy from a person, your protection is the test you do before paying.
Common scams in Canada
- Phones reported stolen after the sale, or still owed on a carrier financing plan.
- iCloud or Google account lock left on.
- Sellers who won’t meet and ask for an Interac e-Transfer up front. It can’t be reversed.
- Undisclosed screen or battery replacements.
Paying safely
Meet in a public place, test the phone, run Device Check Canada, then pay. Avoid e-Transfers to people you haven’t met.
Test the hardware before you pay
- Open mxmob.com/check on the phone itself and tap Test all. It checks the screen, touch, speakers, microphone, cameras, sensors, buttons, charging and Wi-Fi in about 10 minutes, with no app.
- Dial *#06# and compare the IMEI with the box and Settings, then run the check above.
- Watch the seller sign out of iCloud or Google and reset the phone.
- Check battery health (iPhone: Settings › Battery › Battery Health) and look for replaced parts.
- Put your SIM in and make a call.
The full list is in the used phone checklist.
FAQ
How do I check if a phone is stolen in Canada?
Dial *#06# to get the IMEI and enter it on Device Check Canada, the free lookup from the Canadian Telecommunications Association. It shows phones reported lost or stolen in Canada and through the shared GSMA database.
Will a used phone from another carrier work on mine?
Usually yes, because Canadian phones must be unlocked. Check that the model supports your carrier’s bands (most recent phones do) and test with your SIM before paying.
Is buying on Kijiji safe?
It can be if you meet in person, test the phone with a free hardware test, run the IMEI check and watch the seller sign out of iCloud or Google before paying.