Hi all! When buying such an expensive device as an iPhone, you always want to save money. Logical? Naturally. However, all official sellers often have approximately the same prices (recommended by Apple), which means that in order to buy cheaper, you have to turn to little-known stores or private advertisements.
And this is where we can expect unpleasant surprise, when the joy of the purchase may be replaced by disappointment that the device will turn out to be a genuine Chinese counterfeit. Therefore, it is better to prepare in advance and know the signs by which you can easily distinguish a real iPhone from a fake one. Which? Now we'll find out!
Since "Chinese" iPhones huge amount, then there are also a lot of signs by which they can be recognized - it makes no sense to indicate all of them, I will give only those that will absolutely accurately (and most importantly - quickly!) help you identify a fake iPhone.
What needs to be done?
- Check IMEI () - or (where it was purchased, is there a guarantee, what model, etc.). Naturally, if you enter a number and there is no information on it, then this is a reason to refuse the purchase. However, there is some nuance - some Chinese manufacturers manage to register serial number from a real iPhone to a fake, so you need to be quite careful and not limit yourself only to this method.
- Just an ideal option - (laptop) and connect a smartphone to it. If the iPhone is original, iTunes will recognize it and allow you to work with it. The guarantee, as they say, is 100 percent, but you don’t always have a computer at hand :(
- The smartphone menu must have an application store App Store. Talk about the fact that it has been removed, you need to install it yourself, it is not in this version - complete nonsense. Run it - it should look like this.
- Please note that there are others on the menu standard applications from Apple - kiosk, tips, mail (find out!). Friends from the Middle Kingdom, as a rule, do not bother themselves much with copying them and something may be missing, but they should all be “in place” - that’s a fact!
- One of the simplest and effective ways- turn on the device, open the main menu and pay attention to the calendar and clock icons. The calendar should display current date(if it is of course), if not, then he must indicate the date that is on at the moment costs in the iOS system. And on the clock icon the time is shown and the second hand “runs”. Always. It is in the menu, without going into the application. This is not and cannot be the case with any, even the highest quality Chinese counterfeit. This means that a quick glance at the device screen is enough to distinguish original iPhone.
As you can see, there is nothing particularly complicated - authentication verification should not take much time.
About such things as having two SIM cards, memory cards, TV antenna, “native” American assembly (by the way, find out where they are made
If you did not buy your smartphone or tablet from an authorized Apple reseller store, but, for example, from an advertisement site, such a check will be very useful for you for a number of reasons.
There are frequent cases of fraud in the secondary market, therefore, by checking the IMEI and serial number, you can find out exactly where the iPhone was purchased, find out the activation date, the remaining warranty (if any), find out whether the device in front of you is new and check its authenticity.
Let's take a closer look at each of these questions.
How to find out IMEI and serial number of iPhone?
The most reliable option is to look in the settings of the device itself. To do this, launch the “Settings” application, go to the “General” section and select “About this device”.
By clicking on it you will see all necessary information, including serial number and IMEI. For clarity, these points are circled in the screenshot. The whole sequence of actions is also valid for the iPad.
Similar data is indicated on the original box and the back panel of the device. But if we're talking about about a used device, they could have been replaced, but the system will provide 100% reliable information.
Another way is iTunes. Launch it and connect the device to the computer using a cable. Click on the name of your gadget, and on the “Browse” tab, its serial number will be displayed:
Checking iPhone by IMEI
After you found out necessary information, you can run a quick check of the device using a special service. Not all of them work correctly, therefore, we recommend using the proven iphoneimei.info
When you go to the site, you will see only one field in which you need to enter the received IMEI numbers. Just a few seconds and you get the information you need:
As you can see from the screenshot, this way you can find out:
- iPhone activation date
- date and country of purchase
- presence of binding to the operator.
Except third party service, similar data can be obtained on the Apple website. More on this later in the article.
Check by serial number
To check the warranty and get another one useful information, as they say, “first hand”, go to the Apple website using this link. A page will open in front of you that says “Checking your right to service and support” with a field in which you need to enter the equipment serial number, then the captcha, and click the “Continue” button.
As you can see in the screenshot above, this way you can quickly check the Apple warranty, which is important if the seller assures you that it is still valid. This way you can see for yourself.
Have you decided to buy a brand new iPhone? Arm yourself with knowledge: the market is full of Chinese fakes. Find out how to check your phone by serial number and IMEI to avoid falling into scammers.
The box alone contains a lot of information. Find the serial number on it that is assigned to mobile device. It is usually located on the back of the box, next to the batch number and IMEI. The number consists of 11 or 12 characters of letters and numbers.
- Check the serial number indicated on the packaging with the information “hardwired” into the device itself. To do this, go to the “Settings” menu, then select “General” and go to the “About device” option. The two serial numbers must match.
- Go to the manufacturer's official website. There you can easily find the “Check Warranty Status” option. It is worth entering the serial number of your device on the packaging (on the phone or in its data). You will also need to enter a captcha code. And you will receive all the necessary information about the authenticity of a particular device.
Check by IMEI
This is an even easier way to check the authenticity of an iPhone. You can find the IMEI on the packaging of your apple, next to the serial number. You will also find this number on the tray that is intended for the SIM card. IMEI can be found by rummaging through the device itself. Just select the “Settings” menu item, go to the “General” option, and then “About device”. Within a couple of seconds, the smartphone number will appear on the monitor.
IMEI always consists of 15 digits. To check the authenticity of an iPhone for this indicator, you need to use special services. Many users prefer to check the originality of their device on the website www.imei.info. To get an answer, you just need to enter the number indicated on your smartphone in a special window. Click the “Read More” button located on the portal. All available information about your device is displayed. If a smartphone is found on the site after entering the number in the database, then it is real.
How else to recognize a fake
There are so many “jambs” that manufacturers of fakes admit. If you want to check IPhone authenticity, be sure to follow these steps:
- Take measurements of the screen of your mobile device. Companies engaged in the production and release fake phones, do not bother much about the appearance of the product. Therefore, copies often have a screen either smaller or larger than in the original model. Do some checking Iphone screen. Such measurements can be made using a regular ruler. You just need to know the parameters of your iPhone model in advance: you can easily find it on the Internet.
- Check the SIM card slot. The company produces devices designed for only one SIM card. Depending on the generation of the iPhone, the slot will be located on the top or side of the phone. You also need to check that it is also suitable for a micro SIM card, which is much smaller than a standard one.
- Find information about your iPhone on the SNDeepInfo portal. Set up an originality test. At the end of the check, the service will give you information about the characteristics of the device. They must match the data that you will find on the phone itself or on its original box. If there is at least one inconsistency, this is a reason to think about it.
- The back panel of most iPhones is non-removable.
- Check your smartphone's sensor. The manufacturer produces phones with screens that respond only to the touch of a finger. And copy sensors recognize objects, so they can be controlled using a stylus. This is one of the main features of original Apple products. So before purchasing, you should check the sensor’s response with a stylus or, for example, a pencil with an eraser.
- Check out operating system gadget. It's no secret that the iPhone only runs on iOS. If suddenly after turning on the Android logo appears on the screen, then this is an obvious fake. It wouldn't hurt to try launching an app store as well. It should be called the App Store, not Google Play.
- Chinese counterfeits are not friendly with options such as “Find iPhone” or the Siri assistant.
- Beware of Chinese. If hieroglyphs flash when you turn on the phone, it’s better not to continue. Looks like gray phone. If the phone asks you to communicate in the Mandarin language, try switching to Russian. Real iPhones won’t mind, but their Chinese “brothers” may protest.
How not to get screwed when buying a used device
Many sites offer fabulous discounts on iPhones. Some openly write that they sell used equipment. How to check an iPhone when purchasing? The phone passed the test, everything is fine. You bought it cheaper from an online store because it is used. Please check your settings before paying money. If the “Find iPhone” option is enabled, there are traces in the account Apple records ID, filled in iCloud settings, iTunes Store and Apple Store... This all suggests that the former owner of the phone can block the device at any time. And also ask you to pay extra to unlock it. Moreover, he will know exactly where to find you thanks to the phone. Or even worse, the device may even be stolen. The police will take it away from you. You will have to prove that you have become a victim of fraud... So check imei for theft.
How to buy an iPhone online?
- Explore inside and out technical specifications phone you want to buy. Better yet, go to a store that sells them. Hold it in your hands (just make sure you are holding the original). Remember the type so you can check it with the phone they send you.
- Write down all technical data. They will come in handy when you go to your phone information to check. Are there the slightest differences? Return to the seller.
- Buy only if you pay by cash on delivery. You will check everything at the post office and decide there whether you take the goods or not. Don't chase a low price, especially if you are asked to make an advance payment first.
- If you purchase goods abroad, use reputable platforms where sellers value their reputation. It is optimal to use a system when the seller receives money for the product after you inspect it and give the go-ahead.
- If possible, come to the post office with a person who understands these machines. At least the owner of an “apple”. Ideally, he would have the same iPhone.
Companies that want to make extra money from iPhone lovers have reached unprecedented heights in the art of counterfeiting. Do not trust easily and check several parameters to affirmatively say that you have become the proud owner of a product from Steve Jobs' company.
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 must be able to check whether the device is stolen and whether the ability to warranty service 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 electronics supermarket that has been selling Apple products for a long time, has positive reviews on the Internet and can provide smartphone service to customers.
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 methods to spend less on a purchase has its own pitfalls.
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 service center, where renovation work is done and then sold outside the US, where they are not treated very well.
To avoid buying Chinese fake 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 original phone and if you want to be 100% sure of this, without particularly paying attention to the cost of the device, then immediately head 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 might have to search additional information about him 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 the technical specifications of the 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. It is very accurate and reliable way. 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 the required information and click on “Continue”.
It is important to understand that this method determines the availability of the opportunity to use 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 block 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 what condition it is in 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.
