Did you just buy or are about to buy a used iPhone and have concerns about its authenticity? In this guide, we will share twelve expert tips that will allow you to check if your iPhone is genuine or a fake phone with a copied design and an iOS skin on top of Android.
Most tips here are only effective once you have the device in question in your hands. However, even if you don’t, you can ask the reseller to share the IMEI or serial number so you can run the necessary checks. Just hope they don’t give the serial number of an actual iPhone but then ship you a counterfeit.
Secondly, even though I have mentioned about a dozen tips, following just the first few will confirm whether your iPhone is original or fake.
Check the iPhone’s Serial Number
Apple products like iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, Vision Pro, AirPod, and other accessories have unique serial numbers. These serial numbers can be used to verify the authenticity of the device directly through Apple’s website.
Now, when it comes to getting the serial number of your iPhone, there are several different ways, but we’d recommend using the Settings app for now.
So, go to iPhone Settings > General > About. Now, touch and hold the Serial Number field to copy it. Next, head over to Apple’s CheckCoverage website and paste the serial number here. If your serial number is valid, Apple will inform you of the device model, when it was purchased, its warranty status , and such, thus establishing that the device is genuine.
If it says, “Please enter a valid serial number,” then the serial number is fake or does not exist. This also means your iPhone is not original.
Match the iPhone’s IMEI Number in Settings and the box
Every phone, be it iPhone or Android, has at least one IMEI number, which is unique to it. You can easily see the iPhone’s IMEI number in Settings and then match it with the IMEI number on the cardboard box. They should be the same, provided the second-hand seller has not given you a box of a different phone.
Secondly, you can also use the IMEI number to check if the iPhone you are buying is marked as stolen.
In addition, it’s essential to ensure the Activation Lock is off before you buy a second-hand iPhone. If the seller leaves the Activation Lock active, you won’t be able to set up and use the device.
While you’re at it, I will also recommend checking the remaining warranty of the iPhone you are about to purchase.
Match the Model Number with Apple
The next thing you can do is find your iPhone’s model number in the Settings app and then match that model number with Apple’s database.
Check your carrier’s app
Some cellular carriers can show you where you are using their physical SIM or eSIM. So, pop in your SIM card in the phone or set up eSIM, and then go to your carrier’s official app or website and you may be able to see the phone model. This is yet another confirmation of having a genuine product.
Check parts and service history
Did you follow the above steps and are assured that your iPhone is original? That’s great news; congratulations on owning an iPhone! But checks are not over yet.
Another thing to keep in mind is that even though the seller has sold you an original iPhone, it could happen that they had it repaired at an unauthorized service center that used a non-Apple battery, screen, or other parts. In these cases, useful features like Night Shift and Face ID may not work.
To check this, go to the Settings app > General > About. If the iPhone has been repaired, you will see a Parts and Service History section informing you of Genuine Apple Part or Unknown Part.
Was your iPhone new, refurbished, or replaced
With a little effort, you can find out if the iPhone in question was purchased as a new device or is a refurbished unit from Apple. You can also determine whether the iPhone was given to the seller as a replacement for their other iPhone.
Is there a Google Play Store or some Chinese Store there?
Cheap, unknown Chinese iPhone knock-off won’t have Apple’s App Store but rather have Android’s Play Store or some random app store, even though the app icon may look like Apple’s App Store.
Remember that genuine iPhones do not have a Google Play Store. So, if yours does, it’s certainly a fake Android phone masquerading as an iPhone.
Ask the voice assistant who it is!
Press the side button or Home button on the iPhone to invoke the voice assistant. If it shows up, ask, “Who are you.” On original iPhones, Siri is Apple’s voice assistant, and if it’s set up, it should reply, “I’m Siri,” which is another clue that the device is genuine.
Try some Apple-exclusive features
I love iPhones as they have several features that are absent on Android. Now, you can try to use them to establish whether the phone is original. For instance, you can:
- Try to AirDrop a photo or web link from this iPhone to another Apple device. If it works, that’s good news. But remember not to get deceived by using AirDrop workarounds between an Android phone and Mac.
- If you have an AirPlay-compatible smart TV or Mac, you can try AirPlaying media from the iPhone.
- In case you have a car that supports CarPlay, plug in your iPhone to it and see if you are able to use CarPlay.
Do animations feel smooth and unlike anything else?
Counterfeit iPhones are slow, laggy, and have terrible animations. iPhones, on the other hand, have some of the best animations in the industry. So, if you use the phone for a while, it may not be very hard to figure out if it’s genuine.
What about the physical appearance?
iPhone knock-offs have questionable plastic builds and feel cheap. Original iPhones, however, have a gorgeous glass or metal feel. Secondly, remember that the iPhone 14, 15, and later sold in the United States do not have a SIM slot. So, if your “latest model iPhone” has one, it was either purchased outside the US or is a fake unit.
Take it to an Apple Store
Lastly, if you are still unsure, you can always take your phone to an Apple Store, and they will confirm whether the device is genuine or not.
On a related note: 14 reasons to buy an Apple Watch if you have an iPhone