How to Check & Confirm an iPhone is Original or Fake


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Anyone buying an iPhone from a neighborhood shop or making a deal on a secondhand iPhone should check out this article. I can understand your interest in the iPhone and your curiosity about buying and experiencing a premium phone. But what is happening now is many fraudsters take advantage of this iPhone desire and sell cloned or fake devices. These fake iPhones look exactly the same as the original, but they can’t offer any functions of the original iPhone and become dead within a few days of usage. Hearing the unbelievably low price quoted blinds the eyes of most buyers, and they become prey to this fraudulence. If you don’t want to get deceived, you should check whether the iPhone you purchase is original or not.

To check if your iPhone is original, you don’t have to be technical or need deep knowledge. Just follow the basic guidance in the upcoming section; it will be more than enough to discover the originality of the iPhone you intend to buy.

Steps to Check If My iPhone is Original or Cloned

You can find the iPhone is original or not by checking out the factors discussed below.

Perform Visual Inspection of iPhone Outlook & Box

First, if you plan to buy an iPhone outside the Apple Store/a genuine Apple dealer, prefer only box items. Because an original iPhone will come only in an Apple packaging box with necessary accessories. Before unboxing, check the iPhone box carefully. The package box should be the same size as your iPhone and will be completely white in color for regular and black for pro models. The box quality and smoothness will be better than any smartphone box you have ever felt so far. The images on the box should also be clearer and attractive. At the same time, it will not have unnecessary images printed except the iPhone’s pic and brand logo.

Check if the exact image of the Apple logo (half-bitten apple) and iPhone model is printed in high quality on the box. The package will be very firm without having gaps anywhere or loose. If you see the seal is broken already, don’t accept the piece. Most importantly, the iPhone logo on the package box will be dark. If you notice, it is slightly dim or purple in color; it is fake.

See logo to Check if iPhone is Original

Apple ensures exclusivity in usage right from the moment the iPhone is unboxed. The box is so smooth to handle, and unboxing is like a cakewalk. To be frank, the box is too good to throw away. If you don’t have this experience while unboxing your iPhone, be alarmed! Then, check that the Charge Cable is of good quality and that it doesn’t mismatch your iPhone model.

Now, take your iPhone and feel it with your hands after locating the Apple logo at the back, which will be your status symbol. Your brand-new iPhone will be strong and look premium. Inspect the alignment of the side buttons and see if they are right and working properly. Likewise, keep an eye on the SIM card slot. All these aspects will be perfect on an original iPhone without a dip in quality or discrepancy. Pay attention to this and make sure yours fits into this criteria.

In addition, you can search the Internet for the exact iPhone model and check if its appearance and features match yours.

Conduct Performance Test

Turn on your unboxed iPhone and see if it displays the Apple logo. If you see something else, get away from this. The phone will display Hello at the start and ask you to select your region. Following the on-screen instructions, finish the iPhone setup and explore all the options. Importantly, check the camera and make sure it is clear. Your iPhone should not heat up extremely upon just a few minutes of usage. If it happens, something is potentially wrong with this particular piece, and it should be a cloned version.

Try Connecting to Network, Bluetooth & iTunes

After finishing the visual and performance analysis, you can test the basic functions of the iPhone you are planning to buy. You can start by checking whether the Network and Bluetooth are working well. Swipe down the screen from the top right and open the Control Center. There, you can see the WIFI icon. Tap it to turn on the WIFI option. Now, long-press it and select a WIFI network to see if the mobile receives an internet supply. You can also insert a SIM and see whether it activates. Tap the Tower icon to turn on Mobile Data. In the same way, access the Bluetooth option and connect with an AirPods, soundbar, or any Bluetooth device. If any of these functionalities don’t work or act up, cancel the deal.

Try connecting to WIFI  to check if iPhone is Original

If you are not convinced enough, you can try synching the iPhone to iTunes on your PC or Mac. The iPhone is original if it works out. Likewise, if you already have another iPhone, bring it closer to the second iPhone during setup. Access the Quick Start function to set up the latter using the former iPhone. If your new iPhone does not comply with this, then it is a clone.

Look for iOS Version

iOS is the software available on iPhones. Like any other mobile phone, software updates are provided for iPhones regularly, and the version changes accordingly. If you are able to access the iOS version information on the suspected iPhone, then it should be original.

  • While on the Home screen, swipe right and enter the App Library.
  • Search Settings to find the app and launch it.
Go to Settings to Check if iPhone is Original
  • Now, select the General option and choose About.
  • You can see the iOS Version mentioned as the second info after the name. If you tap on it, you should be able to get the Apple security information website link as well.
Locate iOS version to Check if iPhone is Original

If you see the Android version mentioned or the section blank or left out, then the iPhone is fake.

Try to Use Siri

Among the many unique functionalities you can explore on the iPhone, Siri is the best, and it has the best hands-free mobile access of today. There is no chance to provide built-in Siri on a fake iPhone, no matter how hard the deceiver tries. The availability of Siri will expose the iPhone’s genuineness. Go near the smartphone and say, “Hey, Siri.”

activate Siri

Otherwise, hold the Home button on the iPhone (if available). The voice assistant will wake up and listen to your command. If the seller has not set up Siri before, go to Settings and search for Siri. If the respective options appear for setting up Siri, then you can take a sigh of relief.

When you don’t have Siri, try saying, “Hey, Google. ” The Google Assistant will wake up and listen to your commands on this fake iPhone. LOL!

Use the App Store & Look for Default Apps

A fraudster can replicate the appearance and interface of the counterfeit iPhone fairly enough to deceive a common user who’s not that technically sound. However, no one can duplicate the App Store. On cloned iPhones, there won’t be an App Store available. Instead, you will see a Google Play Store.

Even if you have the App Store app in the App Library, you still can’t relax. Some fake iPhones have the App Store app in the exact logo, and even its interface is similar to the original. But you can’t find or download any apps on it. Moreover, some scammers are talented enough to provide Play Store within the App Store of their masterpiece! So, be careful about all these. I would say it is better to try downloading an app to check.

You have to sign in to an Apple ID to download apps on your iPhone. So, get your seller’s Apple ID for this time being, or create one for yourself prior to the official sign-up website.

Like the App Store, every iPhone has a set of exclusive apps that work only on Apple devices. Some of them are iTunes Store, Safari, Facetime, Health, Watch, etc. You can also confirm an iPhone as original after checking if these special apps are available and accessible.

Check the IMEI Number & Serial Number

The IMEI number [IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity] and serial number tell a lot about your iPhone, and they are crucial when checking its originality. Only original iPhones come with this information on Settings. Counterfeit pieces will have these columns empty.

To find the IMEI & serial number details of the iPhone you are looking at,

  • Launch Settings and tap the General option.
  • Choose About, and the Serial Number will be displayed below the model number.
  • Scroll to the end of this section to find the IMEI number below the Network Provider details.
find serial number

Additional Info: You can also find the IMEI number of your iPhone by typing ‘*#06#‘ on the Keypad of the Phone app.

You should not come to a conclusion by just locating these details alone. Take the iPhone box and check whether the IMEI & serial number mentioned in the Settings match the details printed on it. Likewise, take out the SIM tray and do the same. If there are discrepancies between them, it is better to stay away from this iPhone, as it might have undergone unauthorized parts replacement or a product of theft.

Validate Your iPhone on the Official Website

Every iPhone that is sold has a registration on the Apple website. So, you must confirm whether this particular iPhone is a genuine release of the Apple company there.

  • Make a note of the serial number of your iPhone first.
  • Then, open a browser on a smartphone/PC and visit Apple’s coverage website [https://checkcoverage.apple.com/coverage].
  • Enter the specified serial number in the required field and the displayed captcha. Then, click Submit.
validate serial number
  • If your iPhone is original, then the iPhone model with the picture, its year of purchase, and serial number will appear on the next page.
  • You shall cross-check to see if the website details match those on your iPhone and what your seller said. If yes, then this iPhone is original.
Check iPhone purchase date

Visit the Apple Store for Confirmation

If you can’t come to a conclusion about whether a particular iPhone is fake or original based on the above test activity, you can get it done by a professional. Take the suspicious iPhone to a nearby Apple Store or service center and hand it over to the sales/service person over there. As they’re very familiar with iPhones due to their day-to-day handling, they can analyze a piece’s genuity with a few glances.

Other Necessary Checks to Be Done!

By involving in the above-mentioned tests, you might have checked and confirmed whether the iPhone you were intended to buy is fake or original. Though it is proven to be original, you should take a look at some other aspects, too, which are mentioned in the following headings.

Check Whether iPhone Parts are Original

  • Go to the Settings option and select General.
  • Tap the About option and scroll down to the Parts & Services History section. There, check if the battery and screen of the iPhone are original.
  • If the original parts are used in Battery and Display, you can notice Genuine Apple Parts near them. Select them to verify the service date.
Check iPhone parts
  • Suppose there was a replacement of the battery or display with a third-party product; it will display as an Unknown part.

Check If the iPhone is New or Refurbished

Some people might hand over a used or replaced iPhone, telling it to be a new iPhone. You can easily find it by a single letter on the model number. If your iPhone model number starts with M, it is new and original. iPhones with F on the model number are refurbished or used. Alphabet N indicates that it has replaced a broken iPhone from the service center.

Check the Authenticity of the Original iPhone

There is a chance that the iPhone you’re planning to buy will be stolen from someone. If you purchase such phones, then you are liable to legal action. Moreover, the phone will be taken away from you when tracked by cops. So, better verify this using the upcoming guidance.

  • Head to the following website on a browser: https://imeipro.info/
  • Enter the IMEI number of the iPhone and select Check after entering a captcha.
check if iPhone is stolen
  • If the Blacklist Status shows up as Clean, then no complaint is registered against the iPhone, and it is not stolen.

FAQ

How to check the original iPhone cable & charger?

Look for the MFI logo [Made for iPhone/iPad] on the package and ‘Designed by Apple in (Country Name)‘ & 12-digit serial number on the cable. If you see it, then it is original.


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Harish Kumar P
Harish Kumar, the CEO of The HK Online, directs the publication of articles and offers valuable tips and tricks on the latest technology, making it easier for users to understand. Additionally, he creates informative videos that demonstrate the practical applications of everyday technology. He plays a pivotal role in overseeing all content management on the website, ensuring a comprehensive and user-friendly experience for visitors seeking insights into modern tech solutions.

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