Checking iPhone by IMEI. How to check the authenticity and distinguish the restored iPhone iPhone 5 s serial number

On this moment meet a fake or refurbished iPhone version under the guise of the original it has never been easier. The fall in the ruble exchange rate also plays a role, which forces people to look for ways to save money and turn to the services of dubious sellers, and simply ignorance of the features of Apple technology when buying the first iPhone.

This page presents detailed instructions on how to check an iPhone for authenticity, after studying which you can easily identify even a high-quality fake.

Checking iPhone by serial number

Using the serial number, you can not only find out general information about the device, but also generally find out whether they are trying to deceive you.

Checking iPhone by IMEI

First you need to find out the IMEI, and this can be done in several ways.

On the website www.imei.info, enter 15 digits in the appropriate line and click Check. If the information is not true, then you have a fake.

Checking iPhone Status

Despite the fact that overall quality counterfeits have increased noticeably over the past few years, minor flaws can still be seen immediately if you look closely.

Pay attention to small details:

The back cover must not be removed.
The body of the original iPhone is made of aluminum, while manufacturers of fakes like to save money and often try to emit metal with plastic.
A real iPhone cannot have two SIM cards.
All current models, starting from the fifth generation, have a proprietary Lighting charging connector, no Mini/Micro-USB.
The system should not have Google Play, and the settings should contain information about operating system iOS. Any mention of Android means it's a fake.
On the back cover of any iPhone (including versions for the Chinese market) there should be the inscription “Designed by Apple in Califormia. Assembled in China". If instead of this inscription there are hieroglyphs or any other text on the back cover, then this is a fake.
If you have had experience using iPhone or other devices from Apple, then you will certainly be able to identify a fake by the quality of the screen, menu design, fonts and similar nuances.

Therefore, if you are buying an iPhone for the first time, it makes sense to go to any store selling Apple equipment and turn the display sample in your hands so that you have something to compare with.

One more nuance, go to Settings - General, there find the Software Update item. If it is not there, then this is a fake.

Checking with iTunes

Perhaps the easiest way to identify a fake is to try to connect the device to a PC with iTunes. If the program recognizes the connected device, then this is the original, but if nothing happens, then you have connected a fake.

How to identify a refurbished iPhone

Despite the fact that refurbished smartphones, in most cases, are not inferior in durability to ordinary copies, there is still a chance to stumble upon an unsuccessful model, and you always want to use a brand new device. Unfortunately, even in large stores you can come across refurbished models that are sold as new at full price. This could be either intentional fraud on the part of the store or simple negligence, since the devices are completely identical in appearance.

Look at the settings menu

Open the settings menu.
"Basic".
"About this device."
Find the "Model" item.

The first letter of the model name will help you determine if your device is new.

M - the phone is new.
F - refurbished smartphone.

The last two characters indicate the region in which the product is intended for sale. this device. If you bought your iPhone in the Russian Federation, and this is the version officially certified by Rostest, it should be abbreviated RS, RR, RP or RU.

Identifying a refurbished iPhone by packaging

If you have not yet purchased the device, you can identify a refurbished phone by its packaging. Of course, it is unlikely that the smartphone will be sold under the guise of a new one, but it is worth knowing about it.

Unfortunately, not many people can afford to buy new iPhone due to high price tags due to the increased exchange rate of the ruble. This is why iPhones are often purchased secondhand, for example, through advertisements on Avito and other sites. But, as a rule, not all buyers are lucky, and some people simply buy high-quality fakes that look like the original iPhone on the outside, but are not like that on the inside. What to do in this case, you ask? How to check the phone for originality? In fact, there are a large number of methods, which will be discussed in this article.

And it doesn’t even matter whether you buy a new iPhone or a second-hand one, there is always a chance to “run into” scammers who have packed either a refurbished device or a used smartphone in a box.

Each device has its own serial number, which is assigned to it at the assembly stage, and this information is also stored on the official Apple website, so you can view it at any time and personally make sure that your device is original and really belongs to Apple products.

Where can I find my iPhone serial number?

If you have the original box that the smartphone came in, you can view the serial number on the back. It will be marked Serial No and contains 12 characters consisting of numbers and Latin letters. If there is no box, you can look in the iPhone settings. To do this, follow these steps:

Go to the “Settings” of the device and go to the “Basic” tab;

Next, click on the “About this device” tab and scroll down the page until you see the “Serial number” item.

We have received the unique number of your smartphone. Now you need to check it. To do this, go to the Apple website at https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do to go directly to the desired section and enter the serial number here. Also enter the verification code and click Continue.

Based on the test results, you may have several outcomes:

Such a device with a serial number is indeed in the database. Information will be provided on it, in which the model will be displayed, the possibility of providing technical support and checking the date of purchase;
If the serial number was specified incorrectly, then information about the existence of an iPhone with that number will not be provided. In this case, you need to double-check the correctness of the input, and if you really enter the information correctly, most likely, the data has simply been manipulated and this is not an original device;
If the site says “You need to activate your iPhone,” then you are completely new phone, which has not yet been activated. This is an original smartphone that has not been used by other owners.

Checking the originality of an iPhone via IMEI

Each device has its own IMEI code, which is assigned to all phones, including those that were released 10-15 years ago. That is, you can be completely sure that there are no smartphones with the same IMEI, so the information will be reliable. You can find out IMEI in several ways:

If you have a smartphone box, look at the number on the back. As a rule, the number consists of 15 digits, and next to them there is an IMEI mark;
You can also go to the “Settings” of the device, select the “Basic” tab, go to “About the device” and scroll to the IMEI item. This is where the unique phone identification number will be;

There is also a single team for IMEI checks. Dial *#06# on your device and you will see the number on the screen.

Once the number is received, you will need to use one of the services presented below. For complete reliability, we recommend checking your smartphone using several databases at once.

Official IMEI resource

You can go to https://www.imei.info/ and check your smartphone there. This is a single resource that stores data about all devices. On home page enter the number and click the Check button.

If the IMEI is correct, detailed information about this smartphone will appear. You will see the release date, main characteristics, device model and other data.

SNDeepInfo website

One more no less popular resource– this is the site https://sndeep.info/ru. The main feature of the service is, of course, support for the Russian language, which is very important for Russian users. But less information is provided here in free mode. On the main page in the results you will see the name of the model, manufacturer, and you can also see whether it was stolen this smartphone or not. For example, a user whose iPhone was stolen can go to this resource and fill out a special application, where he will enter the IMEI of the stolen smartphone. When this number is verified, it will indicate that it has been stolen.

If you need more complete information, you can click on the appropriate tab, where for $2 you can get additional data in a complete set. If you only need basic information, it will cost $0.18.

Connect to iTunes on your computer

Even if the methods described above showed that such a phone exists, you were provided with a box and in the smartphone settings there is an entry about the serial number and IMEI, you need to use additional ways checks, because Chinese underground companies have long learned to substitute information about real serial numbers, but in fact, devices with such identifiers are sold somewhere on official shelves. That is, they simply made a copy of the device with the same IMEI or other identifier and provided it to you. That is why we recommend using iTunes, which automatically recognizes the connected Apple device and synchronizes data.

Download on your computer latest version iTunes and use a USB cable to connect your smartphone to your computer;
Wait until the system detects the new device, and as soon as the drivers for it are installed, your iPhone will appear in iTunes;
If device information does not appear, check that the drivers are installed correctly or try plugging the USB cable into a different port. Otherwise, we can assume that the iPhone is not original, and therefore is not detected by the program.

Attention! When connecting to iTunes and viewing device information, be sure to check the serial number. It must match the number specified in the settings of this iPhone.

Checking iPhone at the Apple Store

They can fake it on an iPhone appearance, both the device itself and the software, adding all the items and tabs, as in the original iOS versions, but such devices will always have one big disadvantage - the inability to connect to the Apple Store. In a fake version, you will never be able to log in using your Apple ID and log into the service to download any application. That is why we advise you, immediately after the methods described above, to be on the safe side, immediately try to log in to your account. account and try downloading an application or game from the Apple Store. If it boots, it means that this is a 100% original Apple device!

Checking the appearance of the original iPhone

It is quite difficult for a person who has not previously used Apple devices to assess the external condition of a smartphone and compare it with the original, however, there are certain patterns that will help even beginners quickly identify a fake:

Let's get acquainted with the device. Before purchasing and meeting with the seller, we recommend looking at reviews on the Internet to understand what buttons the iPhone has, what size, what colors it comes in, when it will be announced and sold in Russia. Very often they sell iPhones that should be released only in a few days, but sellers guarantee 100% originality and their “contacts with suppliers.” It's all a scam. Using approximately the same principle, you can identify a fake simply by looking at its color. Apple produces devices in strictly defined color shades, and there are no exclusive options for individual users does not provide.

Buttons. We have already talked about buttons, but here we should take a more careful approach to checking. The iPhone, as a rule, has only a few keys: volume rocker, Home button, Turn on/off and mute the sound. At the same time, they do not crunch, do not make any noise and work correctly in any conditions.
Logos. On the back cover of the iPhone there is always a logo of a bitten apple, and at the bottom there is an inscription about where the device was made. Pay attention to color and shape. Original devices do not have any curves or patterns, or additional colors on the logos. Everything is done smoothly and neatly.
SIM slot. The main feature of iPhones is the inability to use additional drives to expand the memory, so the SIM card slot can only have a SIM card, and only one and no SD cards can be used here, as well as additional SIMs!

Materials. All Apple devices are made from certain materials. Initially, check on the official website what the case is made of, how much the device weighs, and what materials are used on the back cover. Very often, fakes use slightly different materials. For example, if the original iPhone 8 uses glass on the back, counterfeits may simply make a solid shape of a certain color.

Checking iPhone software

And the last stage of verification is some “chips” in software iPhone. We have already described the most common and optimal verification methods, but if you want to be 100% sure that in front of you original phone, you can try these options:

Voice assistant Siri. Launch Siri with your voice and ask any command, such as launching the Apple Store app or going to a specific website. In fakes voice assistant is missing, so this operation will not be performed;

Applications. Try launching the Wallet app to link bank cards V Apple Pay or “Commands” to associate a specific voice command with a specific action. The fakes do not have such programs, although in the original version of iOS they are installed by default.

There are indeed many options for checking, and we have described most of them in this material so that you can be confident in the reliability and originality of the device you are purchasing. If you are buying an iPhone for the first time and do not know how to connect it to iTunes or how authorization is carried out via Apple ID, we recommend taking with you a person who has such a device, otherwise you will fall for the tricks of scammers and purchase a fake.

The more popular Apple devices become, the more counterfeits appear, and it is very important to understand how to make sure that the iPhone you are purchasing is genuine (original). In addition, you need to be able to check whether the device is stolen and whether warranty service is still available in official iStore stores.

Not so long ago, an original and a fake iPhone could be distinguished with your eyes closed. It was two absolutely different devices, which differed not only in software, but also in the quality of all the parts used. But now the situation has changed dramatically and now it is very difficult to find the differences between a real and a non-original gadget.

In today's material, you will learn how to confirm the originality of an iPhone before purchasing it.

What you need to know about iPhone?

To avoid cooperation with scammers, it is best to purchase an iPhone only from an authorized dealer.

Such places may include a reliable online store or an electronics supermarket that has been selling Apple products for a long time, from which positive reviews on the Internet and which can provide customers with smartphone service.

Remember that official dealers inflate the price by 20-30% of the cost, which is determined by Apple. For this reason, consumers often decide to order a gadget from the United States of America, with the help of many distributors. Another way to buy an iPhone cheaper is to find an advertisement for the sale of a used device that works fine. Each of the presented ways to spend less on a purchase has its own “ underwater rocks».

Ordering an iPhone from the USA is cheaper, and there is a much wider choice of colors there. But if you just buy a smartphone there, it will not work in any other country, it will only function in the USA. This means you will need to disconnect from the network mobile operator(unlock).

There are also advertisements on the Internet for the sale of smartphones that do not require unlocking - these are refurbished gadgets that were purchased by someone and then returned to the store due to some technical problems. Such devices are sent to a service center where repairs are performed, and then sold outside the United States, where they are not treated very well.

To avoid buying a Chinese counterfeit iPhone, you need to understand the following things:

What is included in the complete package of the original smartphone?
Checking the device according to its external parameters;
Nuances of software operation.

How to choose a seller?

If you want to purchase an original phone and want to be 100% sure of it, without particularly paying attention to the cost of the device, then immediately go to popular retail chains.

And if you don’t have enough money or you are used to saving money on purchasing quality things, then remember the following tips for choosing a reliable iPhone seller:

Always check the seller's reviews and ratings. You may have to look for more information about it in search engine, using your name or phone number. If this is an attacker, they are most likely talking about him on some websites, in social network groups or forums.
Please ask for as many photos as possible of the gadget, device contents, box and serial number. You may even have to make a video call.
Don’t skimp on questions that help you find out the history of your phone. In what store and how long ago did you purchase it? How long have you used it? Has it been repaired? Was it dropped? Only the owner will give answers to the questions posed, and the scammer will be confused.
Check the warranty status and whether the iPhone is locked. It is not necessary to have a guarantee, but this nuance will definitely be a good bonus!

Parameters that distinguish an original smartphone from a fake one

Apple pays great attention to the issue of security and originality of its own gadgets. That's why options are provided to allow users to identify and confirm the uniqueness of their device.

To check, it is necessary to carry out an external inspection of the gadget, as well as find out the serial number and examine the operation of the software. Follow our tips:

Check the condition of the case, including all the features of the selected iPhone model;
Check specifications gadget, they should not differ from those stated;
Check the serial number and IMEI code;
Check your Apple ID.

Stage No. 1. Checking IMEI, serial number and iOS parameters

It is not recommended to purchase an iPhone without a box, since it is one of the tools that helps to find out whether the device is original or not. The IMEI is written on the box and it needs to be compared with the one displayed in the information about iOS in the iPhone itself.

If the numbers do not match, this means that the smartphone is either not original or stolen.

You can find out the IMEI on any phone by dialing the following combination: *#06#

Stage No. 2. We check using the official Apple website

In order to verify the authenticity of the device, you can use the Apple website. This is a very accurate and reliable method. It will take you a few minutes to check:

Go to the Apple page: https://checkcoverage.apple.com/ru/ru/;
Enter the device serial number;
Enter information necessary information and click on “Continue”.

It is important to understand that this method determines the availability of service. You can also find out using the imei.info website:

Gadget model;
Its serial number;
Date of original purchase;
And the availability of warranty service.

All about Activation Lock

Activation Lock is a tool that allows you to lock an iPhone that has been stolen. No one will be able to remove the lock except the one who owned it up to this point. Activation Lock is activated using FindMyPhone service.

On the service’s website you can find out the type of gadget, its location, as well as information about the status of the device.

Linking iPhone to Apple ID

Apple ID is an online service to which absolutely every iPhone should be linked. This site identifies users. Having created an account on the site, account data will be entered on each device.

Everything is tied to one place and can be used on several devices at the same time.
Before purchasing, it is important to check the device binding. You should not buy devices that are linked to some third-party account. If the seller comes up with reasons not to leave your account, then it’s not worth buying. If it is not possible to log out of the ID, then the device is stolen.

To exit, do the following:

Go to settings;
Enable “Basic” settings;
Login to Apple ID;
Click on “Security and Password”;
Next, click “Exit”;
Then we confirm the unbinding process;

How to properly check an iPhone before purchasing?

It doesn’t matter which iPhone you decide to buy: from America, unlocked, refurbished or used, the main thing is to check its condition at the place of purchase. To do this, pay attention to different elements, which we will discuss below.

Frame

You need to check the condition of the back cover and screen. It’s good if there are no defects or their number is reduced to a minimum. Dents, chips and scuffs are signs of a not very high-quality smartphone.

Pressing the screen should be accompanied by an immediate response. Latency is a sign that the display module is not working well.

Buttons

It’s the buttons that often break on iPhones, so it’s worth paying attention to Special attention these controls.

The device should start and shut down without any problems, TouchID, as well as the volume “swing” should respond without “brakes”.

Speakers

It is necessary to check the speakers: conversational and auditory. When making a call, your interlocutor should hear you perfectly, and when playing music you should not hear any unnecessary noise or interference.

Next to the charging socket, there are meshes for the speaker. If they are missing, it means that the smartphone has been disassembled. You should also check the condition of the two screws holding the back cover.

Hardware unlock

Some scammers sell locked smartphones, creating the effect of temporary hardware unlocking. This is achieved due to a small pad in the SIM card area.

Before you buy, you need to remove the SIM card and make sure that there is nothing unnecessary there.

Communication modules

You need to check how all communication modules work: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G. If any of these do not work, the communication antenna is damaged.

Other software features

Be sure to make sure that they work well:

Camera and autofocus;
Accelerometer;
Headphones.

Summarize

Want to protect yourself when buying an iPhone? Follow these guidelines:

Payment should be made only after checking the device;
It is important to inspect the gadget, its body and all functions. Everything should be almost perfect;
You need to check Activation Lock;
The seller must sign out of the Apple ID;
Buy a smartphone with a complete package.

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To help you make a successful purchase, avoid disappointment and avoid unnecessary costs, we will provide some tips on how to properly check an iPhone before purchasing.

How to check an iPhone when buying in an online store

Online stores offer iPhones much cheaper than branded stores. However, such an acquisition is associated with certain risks.

How to properly check an iPhone and what problems can you encounter when buying a phone online?

First of all, make sure that such a check is possible. To do this, carefully read the terms of delivery and warranty. Do not hesitate to ask the manager again about important points of interest.

We’ll tell you in more detail how to check an iPhone for originality and performance, as well as what you need to pay attention to when purchasing:

It is necessary to carefully check iPhone externally. There should be no dents, scratches, chips, cracks or other damage on the case and screen. Protective films The iPhone should fit snugly to the surfaces (without “bubbles” underneath). Please note that the box has not been opened before you. If you see traces of an autopsy, you should think about why it was opened before you and why you didn’t buy an iPhone.
You also need to check that your iPhone is complete. It is possible that the charging adapter will not fit European sockets, in which case the seller will be able to replace them for you. Or give an adapter as a gift.
To make sure that you are purchasing an original device, you should check your iPhone on the official Apple website ( https://checkcoverage.apple.com/ru/ru). To do this you need to know the serial iPhone number, as well as its imei number. The required information is usually indicated on the iPhone itself and on the packaging box. Check imei iphone It won't be difficult on the apple website. You will find out whether such an iPhone is listed in the company’s database, its model, color and release date. Checking an iPhone by imei is also useful to identify a used device, or a phone taken from a showroom display.

Make sure that the online store is not underselling you new iPhone device category REF(iPhone that has been repaired, restored or returned to the seller for other reasons). To do this, you need to check that the serial numbers, as well as the imei numbers on iPhone case, on the SIM card tray and on the box are the same. Another sign of a refurbished iPhone is a white package without a pattern with the inscription “Apple Certified Refurbished” or “Apple Certified Pre-Owned”. You can also check it through the official website using imei. The refurbished iPhone will be activated before you and will not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
In Russia, iPhones certified according to the Rostest and Eurotest systems are most often sold. iPhones "Rostest" are officially imported into the country and adapted to its cellular networks“white” devices with a full warranty and service. “Grey” Eurotest phones are much cheaper, but may be tied to one operator, not serviced in the Russian Federation and have no warranty. The choice is yours. To distinguish one from the other, pay attention to the packaging and documentation. If the abbreviations “PCT” or “EAS” are present there, this is “Rostest”.
Please pay attention to the attached documents. Along with the box there must be instructions, a cash receipt, a purchase receipt (coupon) and a letter of guarantee for the right to service. Documents must be certified by an official Apple dealer. They must contain a description of the phone (model, serial number), date of purchase, cost, receipt or invoice number, contacts for contacting the dealer.

So, in order for the long-awaited purchase of an iPhone in an online store to bring you only joy, first read the warranty and delivery conditions, carefully check the iPhone by number, make sure that you are satisfied with everything, and only then buy it.

How to check an iPhone before buying a used one

The situation is more complicated if you buy an iPhone secondhand. Such an acquisition requires a more careful approach and additional checks. To be confident in your purchase, completely protect yourself from possible fraud and properly check the iPhone you are purchasing, you will need the following:

Valid SIM card.
Charging cable and adapter.
Connect to a Wi-Fi network.

What you should check especially carefully when buying an iPhone from an ad:

It is necessary to check the appearance of the iPhone for dents, chips, cracks and other damage. As a rule, it is better not to buy an iPhone with major mechanical damage. After the next blow, the phone will stop working. In this case, repairs can cost a hefty sum.
The most reliable way to check your iPhone by serial number is on the official Apple website ( https://support.apple.com/ru-ru/HT201296). You can check everything here necessary information about the iPhone model, color and release date.
Having an iPhone box is always a plus for the seller. But here too you need to be careful. We need to check the iPhone again by imei and serial number. They must match those indicated on the iPhone packaging. If this is not the case and the previous owner of the iPhone kept silent about it, then perhaps he is hiding something.
It would be a good idea to check your iPhone on the websites www.chipmunk.nl, imei.info or iphoneimei.info. Using the IMEI number, here you can check such valuable information about your iPhone as model, color, release date, warranty expiration date, and also check whether the phone is included in the list of stolen and wanted by its former owner.
There are 3 categories of purchased iPhone devices: 1) compatible with SIM cards of any operators without additional settings – "unlocked" or Neverlock; 2) iPhones tied to a specific mobile operator and requiring additional settings to work with other GSM networks – "locked" or Lock; 3) iPhones reprogrammed to have no network restrictions – "unlocked" or Softunlock. We recommend buy only iPhones from the Neverlock category. The rest usually cause problems. You can check if your iPhone is locked by the presence of a backing circuit in the SIM card tray, as well as by how easily the iPhone will connect to the network with your SIM card and whether it will require additional settings.

The battery must withstand test operation in conversation mode, watching videos over the Internet using Wi-Fi for several minutes with a maximum decrease in charge level of no more than 1-3%.

Pay attention to the phone screen. Ideally, if it remains original, not repaired or replaced with a copy.

Check how your iPhone is charging. It should charge quickly and not get warm at this moment.

It is also necessary to check the operation of frequently used applications - GPS navigation, text editors, media players, etc.

Be sure to ask the seller to disconnect the iPhone from your account and reset the previous settings. You can check your iPhone's connection to iCloud on the resource icloud.com using the serial number or IMEI number.

Now you know how to check an iPhone for authenticity, functionality, lockability and account linking. If during the check you have any doubts, you can always bring your iPhone to our Service Center, where it will be professionally inspected and tested by competent specialists. We will help you make the right decision and protect you from possible errors!

We wish you a successful purchase and only positive emotions from using Apple equipment!