Yes, refurbished phones can be hacked or harbor spyware but so can brand-new devices. The real risk isn’t the “refurbished” label; it’s where you bought it and how you configure it.

A phone from Apple certified refurbished phones, Gazelle, or Reboxed with immediate security updates is safer than a sketchy marketplace bargain running two-year-old firmware, regardless of whether either is technically “new.”

Where the Actual Threat Lives

Reputable refurbishers eliminate user-level threats

Certified programs from Apple, Samsung, or major carriers perform full data sanitization, wiping the NAND flash storage, resetting the bootloader environment, and running hardware diagnostics.

This process destroys any spyware installed by the previous owner at the application or user-data layer. You’re essentially getting a clean slate.

Supply-chain malware is the silent risk

The genuine security concern isn’t leftover spyware from the last user, it’s pre-installed malware baked into the firmware before the phone ever reached a consumer.

Security researchers have documented Android devices (especially budget or off-brand models) shipping with malicious code embedded in system-level partitions or disguised as legitimate system apps.

This occurs during manufacturing or distribution, affecting new and refurbished stock equally.

Key difference: A phone from an unknown marketplace seller could have both problems: outdated firmware riddled with unpatched exploits and potentially malicious configuration profiles left by a careless (or malicious) previous owner.

Refurbished vs. Second-Hand: Not the Same Thing

Purchase Channel	Security Posture
Manufacturer/carrier refurb	Factory reset, cryptographic data wipe, latest firmware flashed when possible
Certified reseller	Data sanitization, functional testing, warranty-backed security baseline
Random marketplace listing	No guaranteed wipe; possible outdated OS, hidden apps, or MDM profiles
Ultra-cheap off-brand device	Higher historical incidence of supply-chain malware in firmware

Direct person-to-person sales bypass professional sanitization entirely, so avoid this if you can. That means Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craig’s List too.

You could inherit stalkerware, enterprise management profiles, or even just a jailbroken/rooted device with compromised security partitions.

The Know Your Mobile Security Protocol

Even if you trust the seller, do this immediately:

Factory reset it yourself the moment you unbox it
Don’t assume someone else wiped it properly. A full reset clears user-installed apps, accounts, and configuration profiles that could contain tracking software.
Install every available OS and security patch
Outdated firmware is the easiest attack vector. If the device no longer receives updates (like Android 8 or iPhone 6S), consider it a security liability regardless of refurbishment quality.
Harden the attack surface
- Strong PIN + biometric lock (not pattern unlock—it’s trivially bypassed)
- Disable “Install from Unknown Sources” on Android
- Enable two-factor authentication on your primary accounts
- On iPhone, check Settings → General → VPN & Device Management for rogue profiles
Run a security scan on Android
iOS’s sandboxed architecture makes spyware extremely rare without physical access and jailbreaking. Android’s more open ecosystem benefits from a reputable security app (Bitdefender, Norton, Kaspersky) scanning for known malware signatures.

This is the main reason why we tend to recommend refurbished iPhones over Android phones. They’re more secure and, on the whole, get longer support with updates.

Spyware Red Flags (New or Refurbished): What To Look Out For…

Battery drains faster than expected despite fresh replacement
Data usage spikes when the phone is idle
Unknown apps with excessive permissions (Accessibility Services, Device Administrator, SMS access)
On Android: Boot into Safe Mode (power + volume down during startup)—if strange behavior stops, a third-party app is the culprit
On iPhone: If you see configuration profiles you didn’t install or the device was jailbroken, erase and set up as new (don’t restore from backup)

A refurbished iPhone from Apple or a Samsung Galaxy from a carrier’s certified program, immediately updated to the latest security patch, is statistically no riskier than a new phone for malware or hacking.

This applies to trusted specialist refurbished retailers too, like Gazelle in the USA and REBOXED in the UK.

The threat matrix shifts when you buy from unverified sellers or choose devices that no longer receive security updates.

Pro-Tip: The most dangerous “refurbished” phone isn’t one with leftover spyware—it’s one running ancient firmware that never gets patched. Check the device’s update history before you buy. If the model hasn’t received a security patch in over a year, walk away regardless of the price.

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