Refurbished iPhone Warranty UK: What’s Normal and What to Look For (2026)

Your pre-owned device dies at the worst moment, on the train, mid-payment, with 3 per cent battery left. That night you spot a refurbished deal that looks too good to ignore. The price is right, the photos are glossy, and the listing says “warranty included”. But what does a refurbished iphone warranty uk normally look like, and what should make you pause?

In the UK, from reputable sellers a “normal” refurbished warranty is often 12 months for faults that appear during everyday use. That sounds simple, until you hit the fine print: batteries may be treated differently, water damage might be an instant no, and return postage can become your problem.

This guide sets a clear baseline for warranty length, what’s covered, what’s not, and how UK consumer rights can still help even if a seller tries the old “out of warranty” line, offering peace of mind.

What’s a normal refurbished iPhone warranty in the UK (and why it varies by seller)

Most reputable UK retailers of certified refurbished phones offer a 12-month warranty as standard in 2026, usually covering faults that arise with normal use. You’ll also see some sellers push a 24-month warranty as a headline perk, especially on higher grades like “Like New”. Longer can be nice, but the length isn’t the only measure of safety. The wording matters more than the number.

A few reasons warranties vary:

• Who provides it: with most refurbished iPhones, the warranty is the retailer’s promise, not Apple’s.
• When it starts: some start cover from purchase date, others from dispatch or delivery. That can shave off a few days, and it matters if you’re close to the end of the term.
• How claims work: one seller might offer mail-in repairs with free collection, another might require you to pay postage up front and reimburse later (or not at all).
• What “refurbished” means to them: for some, it’s a deep technical inspection, testing process, parts replacement, full clean, and checks on cosmetic condition. For others, it can be closer to “used, wiped, and boxed”.

When you’re checking a product page, look for three plain signals: warranty length, what counts as a fault, and how to claim. If you have to hunt for the terms, that’s information in itself.

Apple Refurbished vs third-party refurbished, same word, different promise

Apple uses “Certified Refurbished” in a very specific way. In the UK, Apple’s refurbished iPhones come with a one-year limited manufacturer warranty, and you can also add AppleCare+ (optional, not required). Apple explains what’s included and how the refurb process works on its official page, see Apple’s UK Certified Refurbished shop.

A key difference is consistency. Apple states its refurbs include a new battery and a new outer shell, plus testing and genuine parts. If you want the closest thing to “new”, that’s the appeal.

Third-party sellers can still be excellent, but their retailer warranty is their own. That means the claim route is usually through the retailer, using their repair network, timescales, and rules. Some are brilliant and fast. Others are slow, vague, or hard to pin down.

Warranty length is only half the story, check what “covered” really means

Most warranties cover hardware defects in materials and workmanship. Put simply, things that shouldn’t fail under normal use.

Good, real-world examples most buyers understand:

• charging port stops working even with careful cable use
• speakers crackle or cut out
• camera won’t focus, or shows black screen
• random restarts and freezing that persist after updates
• Face ID or Touch ID stops recognising you

Common gaps are just as important. Accessories (cables, plugs, even bundled cases) may be excluded or covered for a shorter period. Batteries are tricky too. Battery ageing is normal, so some warranties only help if the battery is defective, not just lower battery health than you hoped after months of use. Checking battery health upfront can avoid surprises later.

The warranty small print that catches people out (and the checks that stop it)

Think of a refurbished warranty like a car warranty. It’ll usually cover the engine failing, but not scratches, tyres, or a dent you got in a car park. An iphone warranty refurbished deal is similar, particularly for phones in like-new condition: it’s built for faults, not accidents, and the exclusions can be where buyers get stung.

Before you buy, scrutinise the terms and conditions with five quick checks that confirm technical inspection and cosmetic inspection details. These don’t take long, but they stop most headaches:

• Battery health promise: is there a minimum percentage stated at sale, and does the warranty treat the battery as a covered part?
• Liquid damage clause: many sellers exclude it completely, even if the iPhone is “water-resistant” on paper.
• Third-party repairs rule: some sellers void cover if anyone else opens the phone, even for a screen replacement.
• Return shipping: if the phone is faulty, who pays to send it back? Is it tracked? Is it insured?
• Outcome if they can’t fix it: do you get a replacement, a refund, or store credit?

Also look for the relationship between warranty and returns. A clear return policy refurbished iPhone setup often includes a short return window for change-of-mind, and a longer warranty for faults. If those two are blurred, expect friction later.

Here’s a quick table of what “normal” looks like versus what should raise an eyebrow:

Item to checkNormal in the UKWorth questioningWarranty length12 months30 to 90 days only, unless clearly explainedFault coveragehardware defects in normal usevague “at our discretion” wordingBatteryminimum health stated on higher gradesno mention of battery at allReturns14 to 30 days common“no returns on refurbished” (avoid)Claim costsseller covers return on genuine faultyou always pay postage, even for faults

Common exclusions, accidental damage, liquid damage, and “unauthorised repair”

Most refurbished warranties exclude the same set of issues, and that’s fair when it’s clear and consistent in the terms and conditions.

Typical exclusions include:

• accidental damage (drops, screen damage, bent frames)
• liquid damage (spills, rain, water damage, steam, toilet incidents)
• misuse (forcing ports, wrong chargers, severe overheating)
• tampering or jailbreaking
• fire or heat damage
• normal wear and tear (scuffs, micro-scratches, cosmetic fading)

The one that catches people is “unauthorised repair”. A cheap screen swap from a corner shop might seem like a win, until the phone later develops a fault and the retailer refuses to help because the device was opened for unauthorised repairs.

Simple rule: if you’re within warranty, contact the seller first. Even if you think it’s a quick fix, getting the retailer’s approval in writing can protect you.

Battery promises, what counts as normal, and what a good seller states upfront

Battery health is the heartbeat of a refurbished iPhone. Everything feels worse when the phone can’t last until lunch.

A good seller is direct about battery standards, especially on top grades. You want to know:

• the minimum battery health at the point of sale (some sellers set thresholds by grade)
• whether the battery is treated as a normal covered component, or “consumable”
• what happens if battery health drops fast (for example, sudden shutdowns or swelling)

It’s also sensible to match your expectations to the grade and cosmetic condition. If you’re buying the cheapest “Good” condition phone, expect more cosmetic wear and possibly a more used battery, unless stated otherwise. If you’re buying “Like New”, you should see clearer promises.

Used Mobiles 4U, for example, highlights battery expectations on higher grades (such as Like New) and combines that with a straightforward warranty and returns setup. Clarity like that is what you’re aiming to find, whichever retailer you choose.

Your UK consumer rights on refurbished iPhones (stronger than most warranties)

A warranty is a promise, but UK law is the foundation. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, refurbished goods still have to be as described, fit for purpose, and of satisfactory quality for their age, price, and condition.

This is where many buyers get relief: your statutory rights sit alongside any retailer warranty. If a phone develops a fault, you usually claim against the retailer you bought from (with UK-based support), not Apple.

For the legal detail, the official notes are available on legislation.gov.uk’s Consumer Rights Act guidance. If you need practical help making a claim, Citizens Advice also explains how to approach it, see how to claim using a warranty or guarantee.

No widely reported changes in January 2026 have removed these protections for refurbished goods. Retailers can set warranty terms, but they can’t sign away your statutory rights.

The simple timeline, 30 days, 6 months, and what happens after

Here’s the UK timeline most people need, in plain English:

• First 30 days: if the refurbished iPhone is faulty, you can usually reject it for a refund (your money-back guarantee, short-term right to reject).
• First 6 months: if a fault appears, it’s generally assumed it was there at the time of purchase unless the retailer can show otherwise.
• After 6 months: you can still claim, but you may need to show the phone didn’t last a reasonable time for what you paid.

Remedies normally follow a sensible order: repair or replacement first, then a price reduction or refund if the fix isn’t possible.

A quick example: Face ID fails due to a hardware malfunction in month 4, you’ve not dropped the phone, and it’s clearly a fault. The retailer should repair or replace. If the battery swells in month 10 or software malfunctions occur, that’s not “normal ageing”, it’s a safety issue, and you should push for a proper remedy.

How to raise a warranty or rights claim without the back-and-forth

Most disputes drag on because of missing info. A tight message with evidence saves days.

1. Keep proof of purchase (invoice email, order number, payment record).
2. Record the fault (short video helps, plus a photo of any error messages).
3. Write down dates (when it started, what troubleshooting you tried).
4. Back up your data before sending it anywhere.
5. Contact the seller in writing (email or support ticket, so there’s a trail).
6. Ask who pays postage and whether you need tracked delivery.
7. Get a repair timescale and keep tracking numbers.

If a retailer refuses with “out of warranty”, that doesn’t erase your statutory rights. If you need extra support, Citizens Advice also covers how to handle faulty purchases, see guidance on returning faulty goods.

Conclusion: buy the warranty you can actually use

Certified refurbished phones like an iPhone should feel like a smart choice, not a gamble. In the UK, a “normal” warranty is often 12 months for faults, but the real safety comes from clear terms, a fair returns window, and consumer rights UK protections that sit behind the scenes.

Before you buy, keep this mini checklist handy:

• Warranty length: A 12-month warranty is common, longer is a bonus
• What’s covered: hardware faults in normal use
• Exclusions: accidental damage, liquid damage, unauthorised repair (device insurance can cover these)
• Battery terms: minimum health stated, and how battery life issues are handled
• Returns window: clear and realistic
• Claim process: written support, postage rules, repair timescales

If you want to see what a thorough refurb process looks like, start with Used Mobiles 4U’s refurbishment process. For buyers watching the budget, an iPhone 13 is often a sensible sweet spot, check the iPhone 13 category on Used Mobiles 4U via the site menu. If you prefer the newest models, look for the iPhone 16 category instead.

Quick FAQs (UK)

What’s a normal warranty length on a refurbished iPhone in the UK?
Most reputable sellers offer 12 months, with some offering 24 months on higher grades.

Does “refurbished” mean I have no rights?
No. Your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act still apply to refurbished goods.

Who pays return postage for a faulty refurbished iPhone?
It depends on the retailer’s terms, but for genuine faults many cover or reimburse postage. Always ask before sending.

Does a cracked screen count as a warranty claim?
Usually not. Cracks are normally classed as accidental damage, which is commonly excluded.

Can I add AppleCare+ to a refurbished iPhone?
If you buy Apple Certified Refurbished, AppleCare+ is typically available as an optional add-on, subject to Apple’s rules and timing.

What if the seller only offers a 90-day warranty?
It’s not automatically “wrong”, but it’s short for the UK market. Shop trusted platforms where the terms are strong, and remember your statutory rights still apply.

This guide is written by James Waterston, owner of UsedMobiles4U, with over 25 years’ experience in the mobile phone industry.