Can you sell a phone without the bill or box?

Bills get lost and boxes get thrown away, especially for phones that are two or three years old. The good news: you can still sell your phone. A buyback service like Changekro doesn't need the bill to buy your phone, but it does need to be sure the phone is yours to sell and isn't reported lost or stolen.

This guide explains what you need instead of the bill, how the bill and box affect the price, and how to get a copy of a lost bill.

What you need to sell without a bill

• One government photo ID, such as Aadhaar. Our executive asks for it only after inspecting the phone and agreeing the final price, and it goes on your bill of sale.
• The phone signed out of your accounts. An iPhone must be signed out of your Apple ID with Find My turned off; an Android phone must have your Google account removed. A phone still locked to an account can't be bought. See our guides on Activation Lock and removing your Google account.
• A phone that isn't reported lost or stolen. The phone's IMEI is checked at your door before payment. A phone reported blocked or stolen can't be bought.

Why buyers ask for a bill at all

A bill does two jobs. First, it shows when the phone was bought, which tells the buyer how old it is and whether it might still be under the maker's warranty. Second, it is a simple sign that the phone was bought legally.

Without a bill, a careful buyer relies on other checks instead: your photo ID, the IMEI check, and the phone being free of any account lock. That is why these three things matter more than the paper bill.

How the bill and box affect your price

When you check your price on our sell pages, one question asks what you will hand over: the original box (with the same IMEI), the original charger and the original purchase bill. Each item you still have helps you get closer to the top price; a missing item can lower the price by a fixed amount, which is already included in the price you see.

The age question also counts from the date on the purchase bill. If you don't have the bill, pick the option that best matches when you bought the phone. The box must show the same IMEI as the phone, because a box from a different phone doesn't count.

If you say you will hand over the box or charger, keep them ready: promised accessories that are missing at pickup are one of the few reasons a price can change, as explained in our Price Promise.

How to find a copy of a lost bill

Even if you can't find it, you can still sell the phone.

• Bought online? Most online stores keep your invoice in the order history of your account. Search your email for the order confirmation too.
• Bought in a shop? Ask the shop for a copy. Many shops can reprint an invoice from their billing system if you give them the date or your phone number.
• Bought on EMI? The finance company's statement or loan papers often show the model and purchase date.
• iPhone: the purchase date is often visible when you check the phone's warranty status on Apple's coverage website using its serial number.

Check your own phone's IMEI status first

If you bought your phone second-hand, it is worth checking its IMEI before you sell. The Government of India's Sanchar Saathi portal has a service called Know Genuineness Of Your Mobile Handset: enter the IMEI on the portal or in the Sanchar Saathi app, or send an SMS KYM followed by the 15-digit IMEI to 14422. Dial *#06# to see your IMEI. Our guide on checking whether a phone is stolen explains the results.

Selling without a bill, step by step

1. Find your model on the sell page and answer the condition questions. Leave "Original purchase bill" unticked.
2. Back up your data and sign out of your accounts.
3. Book a free doorstep pickup. We pick up in these cities.
4. At your door the executive checks the phone and its IMEI, and you show your photo ID after the price is agreed.
5. You are paid by UPI, bank transfer or cash before handover and get a bill of sale. Keep it: from now on it is your proof that the phone is no longer yours.