This is a detailed guide on how to check if an iPhone is fake or original, read to the end to gain more insight.
Every original product in the world has fake ones so you should not throw caution to the wind when purchasing your iPhone.
iPhone is one of the most sorts after phones in the world, despite it being pricey, people still derive pleasure in buying it because of its unique features and the class it places the user in.
Fraudsters are everywhere in the market selling fake iPhones to gullible and ignorant buyers, they offer lower prices to entice them.
When going to purchase your iPhone, it is advisable to go with someone that is well vested in the knowledge of the iPhone because spotting a fake iPhone is hard.
However, if you do not have such a person, We are going to tell you some tricks that will help you know if an iPhone is fake or original.
Read this article on how to check if an iPhone is fake or original to be enlightened
Also read: How To Watch DStv on Android Phone
Table of Contents
How To Check If An iPhone Is Fake Or Original
Purchasing a fake iPhone is traumatizing so you have to be on the lookout when you finally want to get yours because fake iPhones have become so advanced that sometimes it becomes hard to detect them.
However, by adopting the below tips on how to check if an iPhone Is fake or original, you would effortlessly be able to recognize a fake iPhone.
1. Check IMEI number
One of the ways to check if an iPhone is fake or original is to check for the IMEI number. IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity and all authentic phones have an IMEI number.
IMEI is a personalized number that identifies every mobile device. The number is not transferable as it is made differently for all phones.
The number is very important in locating a lost device or checking advanced information regarding a particular phone.
The IMEI number of an iPhone can be found on the product box, SIM tray, or on the back of the phone depending on the iPhone model you are using.
The IMEI number is fourteen digits, when you find it, visit the Apple website, go to the check coverage page and enter your IMEI number on the box provided, if no details of your coverage pop up on the screen, then the iPhone is fake.
However, when you contact Apple for support, you can use the IMEI number to identify your device.
2. Check Your Phone Model Number And Serial Number
Another way to check if an iPhone is fake or original is by checking your phone model number and serial number. The location of the serial number differs depending on the model of the iPhone you are purchasing.
For some models, you can find the serial number in settings, and others on the SIM tray. You can see the iPhone model number in settings.
To get your iPhone model number and serial number, go to ‘settings->general->about’, then you would see the model and serial number.
The model number contains letters and the first letter of the model number shows the type of apple device you purchased.
when you find your serial number, copy the number and go to Apple’s official website, and paste it on the space provided to ascertain if the phone is fake or original.
After providing all the information needed on the website, a green tick will appear indicating that the iPhone is original, if there is no green tick, it means that the iPhone is fake.
3. Check For Physical Features
An iPhone is identifiable by its quality packaging and distinctive hardware features, so if the iPhone is poorly packaged, then you should retrieve from buying it no matter how convincing the seller is.
Also, the first feature that captivates people is the unique apple logo imprinted on the back of the iPhone, this can be done on fake iPhones too, so that shouldn’t be the only thing to use and verify if the iPhone is fake or original.
An iPhone has a sleep and wake button, a home button, a ringer switch, and volume buttons, so if any of these is missing, then the iPhone might be fake.
Also meticulously check the screws, Apple uses only pentalobe screws on iPhones.You can find the pentalobe screw near the lightning port.
4. Check If It Can Connect To iTunes
Another way to check if an iPhone is fake or original is to check if it can connect to iTunes or be recognized by iTunes.
If your iPhone cannot connect to iTunes or the app store, it is either damaged or fake.
5. Check In-built iOS Applications
Another way to check if an iPhone is fake or original is by checking the factory iOS applications because the iPhone comes with built-in Apple-branded apps such as Contacts, Compass, Settings, Calculator, Music, Photos, Safari, and Health.
If any of these applications are missing, at first, you can restore the original firmware by entering DFU mode and reinstalling the operating system, if the built-in applications are still missing, then your iPhone might be fake.
6. Check The iOS
What makes an iPhone stand out is the operating system it runs. Other smartphones are powered by Android, but the iPhone runs iOS, a mobile operating system developed by Apple.
Beware, most counterfeit iPhones are powered by Android but have an iOS similar identity on top to defraud consumers.
Fake iPhones can look genuine, therefore, you should test the device and examine the product meticulously..
7. Check for Siri
Another way to check if an iPhone is fake or original is to check for Siri. Siri is a voice assistant that works only on Apple devices.
To check for Siri, long-press the power button and wait for Siri to come up, if Siri comes up then your iPhone is authentic but it is fake if you rather find Amazon Aleza, Goggle Assistance, or any other voice assistant coming up.
8. Check For Extra Card Slot
Another way to check if an iPhone is fake or original is to check for an extra card slot.
There is no extra card slot in an authentic iPhone, especially a MicroSD slot, so you have to be careful to avoid falling victim to fraud.
9. Find out the version of the phone
Another way to check if an iPhone is fake or original is to find the version of the phone. To find the version of the phone, go to the settings of that phone and click on About Phone, if the version of the phone is different from the one you bought, then it is fake, especially if it shows version of Andriod.
10. Notice The Start-Up Process
When you boot an authentic iPhone for the first time, you would be directed on how to set up the Apple ID account.
However, if the device asks you to provide your google or any other account, then the iPhone is fake.
Moreover, you can also recognize a fake iPhone by checking the play store. If you see google play store or any other app store, then your iPhone is fake.
iPhone uses one apple app store to install apps, so if you see any third-party app, then it is fake.
Types Of iPhone
iPhones are of different types and they are:
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6 Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 4 (GSM model)
- iPhone 4s.