• How to check your iPad or iPhone for authenticity using its serial number

    At buying an iPhone with your hands you need to be extremely careful. The Chinese have learned to make almost perfect copies of smartphones, which can be distinguished inexperienced user it can be difficult, but original devices may have an expired warranty. The official website will help you verify the seller’s honesty Apple, where you can check the purchased device by serial number.

    In order to get additional information about the iPhone, we need the device's serial number. You can get it in various ways, for example, look at back cover device (or on the SIM card tray in older models), but the easiest way is to go to settings.

    How to find out iPhone serial number?

    Step 1: Go to Menu Settings -> Basic

    Step 2: Select an item About the device

    Step 3. Find the line “ Serial number" and rewrite the value specified in it

    We got the serial number, all that remains is to check it on the Apple website. How to do this is written in the instructions below.

    Step 1: Go to the dedicated page on Apple's website for iPhone checks by serial number (link)

    Step 2. In the “Enter hardware serial number” line, enter the serial number of the device being tested and click “ Continue»

    Step 3: Wait for the results page to load and review the information received

    What information does it allow you to find out? this page? Here you can verify the originality of the purchased device, determine the expiration date of the warranty and the possibility of obtaining technical support by phone. If the iPhone has not been activated, then on the same page you will receive a notification about the need to complete activation.

    Note: You can check the serial numbers of other Apple devices in a similar way, including Mac computers, iPad tablets, Apple TV set-top boxes and even some accessories.

    Not everyone can afford a brand new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. If you are one of them, but really want an iPhone (not necessarily latest model), it makes sense to buy it on the secondary market, that is, “used”. How to do this without consequences in the form of hardware and software faults read under the cut.

    Buying a used iPhone. Seller's choice

    If this is your first time buying a used product online, know that there are many times more scammers on the secondary market than honest sellers. Therefore, be careful when choosing a seller. Advice: don't trust anyone!


    The model of a decent and sensible seller of a used iPhone looks something like this:

    1. Doesn't hide his contact number phone.
    2. Will not refuse a personal meeting.
    3. Will not refuse to check the status of the phone.
    4. Will not give away your iPhone at a price below average on the secondary market. Although you can always bargain on the spot.

    Complete set

    Buy a used iPhone in the factory configuration and, if possible, with a receipt from the store. The latter will be needed when contacting the service. Apple support to regain control over, for example.

    iPhone kit:

    1. Smartphone.
    2. Branded box with a barcode and information about the device (model, batch number, serial number and IMEI).
    3. Charger.
    4. USB cable.
    5. Wired headset Apple EarPods with control buttons and microphone.
    6. SIM card ejector.
    7. Documentation.

    It’s not critical if a used iPhone doesn’t come with a power supply, USB cable, headphones, paper clips and instructions. It is important that there is original box(for support service).

    Check that the data in the iPhone settings matches the original packaging

    Check if the information on the box matches iPhone settings in the “General -> About this device” menu and on the back cover of the device. The following data must correspond:

    1. Model. For example, ME305LL/A.
    2. Serial number(not indicated on the back cover of the device).
    3. IMEI. Compare the identifier indicated in the device information, on the box and on the SIM card tray.

    If any of this data on the box, in the phone settings and on the SIM card tray differs, the device has been repaired. This can also be checked using the serial number and IMEI.

    Video on how to find the serial number

    How to check if an iPhone is authentic by serial number

    On a special page of the official Apple website (Check Your Service and Support Coverage), enter the serial number in the appropriate field iPhone number.

    If the device is original, the system will recognize its model and display information about the warranty status. It is important that there is a checkmark in the “Valid Purchase Date” field - this confirms that the device is original and purchased from Apple.

    If more than a year has passed since the purchase of the device, international Apple warranty no longer affects him. Information about this is in the lines: “Telephone Technical Support” and “Repairs and Service Coverage”. warranty repair and service).

    If you need more information, using the same serial number you can determine: the phone model, the country for which it was manufactured, the identifier and model number, the main technical characteristics ( clock frequency processor, screen resolution, case color, memory size), year and month of production, as well as manufacturer.

    An example of checking my iPhone 5s by serial number:

    • Serial number: F18LND37FF9R
    • Nice Name: iPhone 5s (GSM/North America)
    • Machine Model: iPhone6.1
    • Family Name: A1533
    • Model Number: ME296
    • Group1: iPhone
    • Group2:
    • Generation:
    • CPU speed: 1.3MHz
    • Screen size: 4 inches
    • Screen resolution: 1136×640 pixels
    • Colour: Space Gray
    • Production year: 2013
    • Production week: 45 (November)
    • Model introduced: 2013
    • Capacity: 16GB
    • Memory - flavour: xx
    • Factory: F1 (China, Zhengzhou - Foxconn).

    This means that I have a 16 GB iPhone 5s, GSM model A1533 gray, produced at Foxconn's Zhengzhou plant in November 2013.

    You can also identify the restored one by the serial number. iPhone manufacturer(Refurbished). For such devices, the serial number starts at “5K”.

    To make it easier for you, I recorded a video on how to check the serial number of an iPhone:

    How to check iPhone by IMEI

    Comprehensive information about the iPhone (and not only) can be obtained from international identifier mobile equipment (IMEI - International Mobile Equipment Identity), for example.

    The IMEI of an iPhone is engraved on its back cover and SIM card tray, indicated on the barcode label on the packaging and in “Settings -> General -> About this device”. In the "Phone" application, enter the combination " #06# " And iPhone IMEI will be displayed on the screen.

    Short: If you have never owned an iPhone and you cannot determine its originality by appearance, check the iPhone by serial number on the official Apple website and check the information in the information about the device and on its packaging. That's enough.

    For reference: If in the iPhone settings in the device information there is no data in the lines “ Wi-Fi address", "Bluetooth" or "Modem firmware", this means that the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or modem modules are not working, respectively.

    Checking a used iPhone for mechanical damage

    Visually inspect the iPhone and check:

    1. Condition of the case. It is desirable that the device is free of chips, scratches and dents.
    2. Controls(Home and Power buttons, volume rocker, vibration mode switch). The buttons should work softly and silently, and should not stick or fall through. The device should respond instantly to button presses.
    3. Did you understand the iPhone? Earpiece (next to front camera) must be covered with a mesh. The screw heads on the bottom side of the charging/sync connector must not be damaged.
    4. Has it been renovated? Home button colors and protective glass, must be the same. The charging/sync port and headphone jack must match the color of the iPhone. Press on the screen, original touchpad“does not float” (pressures leave no traces).
    5. iPhone Neverlock (unlocked) or “locked”. Remove the SIM card tray; there should be no overlays for the SIM card (adapters for the Gevey or r-Sim hardware unlock). Insert your SIM card - connecting an “unlocked” iPhone to cellular network happens quickly.
    6. Touchpad. Unlock your iPhone, press and hold your finger on the screen until the application icons begin to “dance”, and slowly drag any icon across the screen. It should not “come off” from the finger.
    7. Speaker and microphone. Call someone, you and you should be clearly heard (sometimes this also depends on the quality of the connection).
    8. Wi-Fi module. Turn on Wi-Fi and connect to wireless network, check your internet access in Safari. In the cold Wi-Fi module It works properly - the breakdown appears after heating, so do not turn off Wi-Fi for at least another 5 minutes.
    9. Camera and autofocus. Launch the Camera app, tap on the area of ​​the screen to autofocus.
    10. Proximity sensor. Call someone, during a conversation - cover with your finger top part screen to the right of conversational dynamics- the screen should go dark.
    11. Accelerometer. Launch any standard application (Messages, Contacts, Calendar, Photos), rotate the iPhone - the screen should rotate with the device.
    12. Headphones. Plug your headset into the headphone jack, launch the Music app, and play. Check volume control, track switch and playback controls.
    13. Contact with water. Shine a flashlight into the headphone jack, if you find a red marker in it (moisture indicator), it means the device has been in contact with water.
    14. External speakers. Turn on music playback, the sound should be clear, without wheezing.
    15. Remove protective films, they hide scratches.

    Checking iPhone lock using Apple ID

    The originality, external condition and performance of a used iPhone are important, but even an original, fully functional and externally perfect device can be absolutely useless if it is blocked by activation lock ( Activation Lock). An iPhone with the “ ” function enabled cannot be

    Mobile Apple technology today is at the peak of popularity, but not everyone can afford to buy it in the official store. Many cases of fraud are associated with the purchase of used devices from this company. If you are not vigilant in time, you can find a blocked, broken or counterfeit gadget instead of the promised model, after you have already paid the seller.


    Before purchasing Apple equipment

    iPhone, iPad, iPod are expensive equipment, the purchase of which is important to carefully prepare; you should not succumb to emotions when you see the tempting price set by the previous owner. You should know how to check an iPhone when purchasing it yourself. Check out several reviews of the model you are considering purchasing. This will help to note the features of the package, how the box is structured, and what documents are required.

    If you are going to buy an iPhone, take a SIM card of the required size: for the third series - Mini SIM, for the fourth – Micro SIM, iPhone 5 and higher will require Nano SIM. Pay attention to the original packaging and its condition, make sure you have the charger and all other accessories. Try to find out the reason for the sale and inspect the device in advance for defects.


    We check the data on the packaging and the device

    Per box from Apple smartphones A barcode and the following information must be included:

    • series number;
    • model number;
    • IMEI code.

    The same information is duplicated in the settings, so comparison will avoid replacing the contents of the package. Go to the “Settings” menu, select “General”, go to the “About device” section. Knowing IMEI, you can extract from the given figures data about the country of origin, individual technical specifications, date of issue and manufacturer.

    If you are interested in how to check a used iPhone before purchasing, pay attention to the unique model number, which can be easily tracked in a special section of the official Apple website. Information about the country for which the device was produced is encrypted here. Smartphones for Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan, Greece, Czech Republic, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, UAE, Italy, Hong Kong, and Malaysia are guaranteed to work. But iPhone for the Philippines, Japan, Jamaica, Lithuania work with cards Russian operators there won't be. It is easy to decipher data about a country using specialized Internet services. If there is a 5K index at the beginning of the serial number, this means that the device has been restored.

    Keep in mind that sometimes they try to sell devices bought from an operator. cellular communication under contract. Such devices have debts behind them and will soon be blocked by the service provider. Unlocking will cost you $80-100. If you have any difficulties and you cannot check the information provided on your own, contact the Kaknovy! center. for qualified assistance before you pay for your purchase.

    Technical features of checking iPhone, iPad, iPod when purchasing second-hand

    You should definitely check a used iPad when purchasing (the same applies to iPhone and iPod), the device must have been disconnected from Apple services. Insist that the seller disable Find My iPhone on iCloud. All device options should be diagnosed before transferring money: cameras, modules wireless internet, Bluetooth, touchscreen, etc. You need to pay attention to the integrity of the screen and case, to the functionality of all external controls and connectors. It is relatively easy to detect traces of wetness using a flashlight, because if the device has been submerged in water, a red stripe will be visible on the moisture indicator inside the headphone jack. In a non-drowned device, the moisture indicator is white. Be sure to turn on the gadget yourself and check the operation software environment, testing the speakers, headset, camera and other elements.


    If the seller demands an advance payment, does not allow basic diagnostics to be carried out, or offers a very low price, this almost always means trouble for the buyer. Be careful when buying second hand: by providing a real, working gadget for viewing, they may quietly replace it with a mock-up before payment. If you doubt that you can carry out diagnostics yourself, contact the specialists service center“Like new!” We can very quickly and accurately determine whether it’s worth buying this device or not. Our masters have the ability to perform quick check with the help specialized programs, online services and other tools.

    Thanks to long term support and service Apple devices have become some of the most popular in the world. Of course, the ease of use, workmanship and hardware of the gadget, in particular the mobile one, also deserve attention. operating system iOS, which is one of the main reasons for buying Apple devices. And more often than not new ones, but used ones, because the price of gadgets decreases significantly over time and you can get the treasured iPad for reading, playing, surfing or watching movies much cheaper. In this material, we will give some advice from engineers to those who are planning to purchase a used iPad, but do not know what to look for when buying and what pitfalls they can wait for him.

    The main rule in buying used gadgets is not to rush. A quick inspection of the device and a quick purchase can not only spoil the overall impression of the device’s operation, but also force you to spend extra money on repairs or replacement of spare parts. When you pick up a used iPad, the first thing you need to do is conduct an external inspection for chips and scratches. Be sure to pay attention to the geometry of the case - the iPad should be smooth, without bends. Check the edging display module around the entire perimeter - if you notice that the glass is sticking out a little, then you should definitely ask the owner about the service history.

    Immediately pay attention to the package - the absence of a box and original accessories should alert you. Most often, such devices turn out to be stolen, and charger and headphones in most cases are cheap fakes. If you still have the box, be sure to compare the serial number pasted on it with the same number in iPad settings(or on the back of the tablet) - the 16-digit code must match.

    Unfortunately, the iPad (except for the first generation) does not have moisture sensors, like the iPhone and iPod, so it is possible to determine whether the tablet was “heated” or not only after opening and careful inspection. However, an initial inspection and checking the operation of all external connectors in this case will help identify problem areas. To do this, we recommend taking headphones with you and, if possible, meeting with the seller indoors to check charging from the outlet (at the same time checking the operation of both the included accessories and the 30-pin/Lightning connector). But you can get by external battery, the main thing is that the strength of the supplied current exceeds or is equal to 1A, because from iPad laptop It will not be possible to charge (the standard USB output of a computer supplies +-0.5A).

    Next up is the touchscreen. The simplest and effective way check the functionality of the sensor - hold down the icon on the display to call up the “jitter” menu and slowly move it over the entire display area. If the shortcut moves without problems, then everything is fine with the touchscreen. Otherwise, on the non-working area, the icon will simply come off your finger. This scenario is also possible after installing a low-quality display module, so once again carefully inspect the joints between the display and the body, compare the color of the frames and buttons - they should match and not differ in shade. If the seller claims that the display was changed to the “original” one, then we advise you to read, which is also relevant for the iPad.

    After the inspection, it is necessary to test the operation of all mechanical elements of the device, and this is the Home key (combined with touch sensor ID in Air 2 and younger), volume buttons and mode lever (starting with iPad Air 2 it is missing). If the tablet is equipped with a Touch ID fingerprint scanner, then you need to check its functionality by saving your own fingerprint in the settings.

    After this, you must definitely test the operation of the wireless modules: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3G (if the model is equipped), as well as the iPad camera. Prepare in advance for such a test and take it with you suitable size SIM card.

    One of the most important procedures is unlinking from the previous owner's accounts in Settings → iCloud and → App Store. It’s better to additionally go to the Apple website and check the activation lock, because in one of iOS versions The iCloud field can be completely hidden.

    Let us remind you that in UiPservice workshops you can use the pre-sale diagnostic service from both the buyer and the seller. All you need to do is contact .

    Friends, underground Chinese craftsmen have learned very well how to make copies iPhone phones, they fake them in such a way that external examination sometimes does not allow a beginner to determine the clone in front of him or the real one original iPhone. Moreover, today many Apple phones have been released and it’s difficult to understand the intricacies appearance and features iOS firmware It can be problematic for novice users. In order to distinguish an original iPhone from a fake, several methods are used.


    Today I will tell you - How to check iPhone on Apple website. This method is the most common, since you can check on the website not only an unpacked, but also a sealed iPhone, iPod or iPad tablet, without opening the box.

    This method has one more “plus” - it is not required iTunes programs. You can check the iPhone you are purchasing on the Apple website using a computer or using any mobile device(phone, tablet) with Internet access. To check your iPhone using this method, in any browser, go to: Apple.com/ru/
    On the top right of the Apple website, select the section - Support


    Scroll down the page to the “AppleCare and Warranty” subsection and select – Is my product still under warranty?.


    A verification panel will launch on the site, where you will need to enter the serial number (aka Serial Number) of our iPhone, enter the captcha code and press the button - Continue. You can find the serial number of an iPhone or other Apple device in several places, both on the box and on the gadget itself. If you have problems finding the serial number, then read – and look at the pictures –. Serial, Serial No. – this is also a serial number.

    If you entered all the letters and numbers of the serial number correctly, then the name of our iPhone should appear, in our case the base Apple data correctly recognized our iPhone 5S. Means iPhone original and officially released. Below the picture of the iPhone, model name and serial number you can see the warranty status, below we have looked at the possible warranty conditions that you may encounter when purchasing an iPhone:


    Example 1. In the first example we see an iPhone 5S, which is in a sealed box, i.e. We checked it without even unpacking it and made sure that iPhone real, not fake. The model is displayed, the Apple website does not display warranty information yet, this means that this model After leaving the assembly line, it was never activated, so we were convinced that no one had really used this phone before. If you bought new iPhone, iPod touch or iPad and have not yet activated it, then when checking the site should give you approximately the same as in our first example - You must confirm the date of purchase of the product.


    Example 2. After 3 months, we decided to check our iPhone on the Apple website again. As a result, we see different warranty data. In addition, during these three months the free period of technical support by telephone has expired, but the right to service and repair is still provided. In example number two, we see that this model has already been activated, this phone has already been used, but the one-year warranty has not yet expired. While the warranty for repairs and maintenance has not expired, you can find out the date of first activation of the iPhone.


    Example 3: In the last example, we see that not only has this iPhone been used, but the repair and phone support warranty has expired. The third example shows that the iPhone is also original, not counterfeit, but it has been used for more than a year.

    Well, now you will know how to check an iPhone for authenticity on the official Apple website; if you follow exactly the steps listed above, your warranty information will also be displayed in Russian. You can use the site check both when purchasing a new and used iPhone, iPad and iPod. If you are purchasing a used device rather than a new one, be sure to do this before purchasing and do not forget to activate the phone and call.