Have you ever been scammed or purchased a fake iPhone? It’s frustrating to spend hundreds of dollars on a product that turns out to be counterfeit. This is why it’s important to know how to check if an iPhone is legit before making a purchase. By doing so, you can avoid being scammed and ensure that you have a genuine iPhone in your hands.
In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the challenge of checking if an iPhone is legit, what you should prepare for, and three methods you can use to check if an iPhone is genuine. We’ll also cover some reasons why you may not be able to check if an iPhone is legit, additional tips for spotting counterfeit iPhones, and answer some common questions about the topic.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Check If an iPhone Is Legit
The challenge of checking if an iPhone is legit is that counterfeiters make counterfeit iPhones to look almost exactly like the real thing. They duplicate serial numbers, logos, and even the packaging, which can make it tough to tell the difference between the real and fake iPhones. Unfortunately, fake iPhones are often sold at a much lower price, which can make them enticing to unsuspecting buyers.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to check if an iPhone is legit. Keep in mind that these methods may not be 100% foolproof, but they can help you identify fake iPhones before you make a purchase.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the methods, there are a few things you should prepare for:
- Research: Do some research about the iPhone you want to buy. Check the retail price, and compare that to the price being offered to ensure it’s not too good to be true.
- Trustworthy seller: Buy from a known and trustworthy seller. Always check the reviews and feedback from previous customers.
- Check the phone in person: Insist on meeting the seller in person and use the following methods to validate the authenticity of the iPhone.
Method 1: Using Apple’s Check Coverage Webpage
Apple provides an online check coverage webpage that allows you to check the warranty status of your iPhone based on its serial number. While it does not directly confirm whether an iPhone is genuine or not, it can eliminate the possibility of an iPhone being fake if it is listed on Apple’s servers. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Go to the Check Coverage webpage on the official Apple website.
- Enter the serial number of the iPhone in question.
- Review the results to ensure it’s not a fake iPhone.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to use.
- Free of cost.
- Checks warranty and service status of iPhone.
Cons:
- Only works if serial number is known.
- Does not identify if an iPhone is genuine or fake.
Method 2: Using the IMEI Number
The second method involves determining the authenticity of the iPhone using the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. The IMEI number is a 15-digit number that is unique to each mobile device. You can use this number to check the authenticity of an iPhone on several websites available online. The steps involved in this method are:
- Go to the Phone app on the iPhone and dial *#06# to view the IMEI number.
- Write down the IMEI number or take a screenshot.
- Go to the website of Apple, free iPhone IMEI Check service or other IMEI check websites you trust.
- Enter the IMEI number of the iPhone in question in the field provided and click on the ‘Check’ button.
- Review the results to determine the authenticity of the iPhone.
Pros:
- Checks if the phone is listed as stolen or lost.
- Provides information about the phone’s model, memory size, and more.
- Can be used to check multiple devices.
Cons:
- It may take a long time to get results on certain websites.
- Some websites may charge fees for checking the IMEI number.
Method 3: Using the Physical Features
The third method involves using physical features of the iPhone to determine its authenticity. The fake iPhone is usually made from cheap materials and lacks the fine details found in authentic iPhones. Here are the steps involved in this method:
- Check the weight: Compare the weight of the iPhone to the weight of a genuine iPhone. Fake iPhones tend to be lighter because they are usually made with cheaper materials.
- Inspect the screen: Look for a yellow-tinted screen or blurred text. Real iPhone screens are sharp with bright colors, while fake iPhone screens are usually blurry and grainy.
- Check the buttons: Press all the buttons on the iPhone to check their functionality. Buttons on fake iPhones are usually less responsive than those on real iPhones.
- Inspect the camera: Turn on the camera and take a photo. The photos taken on fake iPhones are usually of lower quality because they use cheap hardware.
- Look for a headphone jack: iPhones from iPhone 7 and later no longer have headphone jacks. If you spot a headphone jack, it’s probably a fake iPhone.
Pros:
- You can spot fake iPhones without the aid of a website or app.
Cons:
- Somewhat time-consuming process.
- Not a foolproof method since some counterfeiters can make replicas that look very similar to the real thing.
Why Can’t I Check If an iPhone Is Legit?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to check if an iPhone is legit. Here are some reasons and the fixes:
Reason 1: The iPhone is too old
Fix: For many old iPhones, checking their authenticity is almost impossible because they were not registered on Apple’s servers. It is impossible to check the IMEI number or serial number on old iPhones because they weren’t made with these identification features.
Reason 2: The iPhone is a replica of the genuine iPhone
Fix: No method is entirely foolproof. However, inspecting the physical features of the iPhone can help you spot a fake iPhone. Additionally, do your research beforehand and purchase the iPhone only from reputable sellers.
Reason 3: The iPhone has been jailbroken
Fix: Jailbreaking an iPhone removes its software restrictions, allowing the user to install unauthorized applications and modify the system settings. However, jailbreaking an iPhone can cause several security issues, making it difficult to check its authenticity.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to help you determine the authenticity of an iPhone:
- Check the packaging: Make sure the packaging is not damaged or opened. Original iPhones come with a seal on the box, which is used to indicate that the packaging has not been tampered with.
- Check the logo and branding: Ensure the Apple logo and branding on the iPhone are not blurry, smudged, or different from what you see on Apple’s official website.
- Check the charger and cable: Genuine iPhones come with a charger and a charging cable in the box along with the iPhone. Make sure the charger and the cable have the ‘Made for iPhone’ logo printed on them. Fake chargers and cables often have mismatched logos or no logo at all.
5 FAQs about How to Check If an iPhone Is Legit
Q: Can a fake iPhone have a genuine IMEI number?
A: Yes, counterfeiters replicate the IMEI number of genuine iPhones, making it difficult to spot a fake iPhone just using the IMEI number.
Q: Is it safe to buy iPhones online?
A: As long as you buy from reputable sellers, it should be safe to buy iPhones online. Stick to trusted sellers and check the reviews and feedback from previous customers before making a purchase.
Q: Which method is the most reliable for checking the authenticity of an iPhone?
A: While no method is entirely foolproof, using the IMEI number, in combination with physical features can be a reliable method for checking the authenticity of an iPhone.
Q: Is there any other way of checking if an iPhone is genuine?
A: You can also go to an Apple Store and ask a technician to check if the iPhone is genuine.
Q: What should I do if I discover that I have a fake iPhone?
A: If you have been scammed, report to the police to file a report, and inform the platform where you made the purchase.
In Conclusion
Checking if an iPhone is legit is crucial to avoid spending money on counterfeit iPhones. There are several methods to check the authenticity of an iPhone, but no method is entirely foolproof. It’s always important to purchase iPhones only from reputable sellers, and if discovering a fake iPhone, report it for action. By following the tips and methods mentioned above, you can reduce the likelihood of being scammed and ensure that you have a genuine iPhone in your hands.
