10 Ways to identify your iPhone is original or not?

Are you worried about accidentally buying a fake iPhone? With so many knock-offs out there, it can be tough to tell what’s real and what’s not. But don’t stress, we’ve got your back!

In this post, we’ll share with you 10 ways to make sure your iPhone is the real deal. From checking the IMEI number and the model and serial numbers to taking a close look at the physical appearance, & verifying the iOS, we’ll show you how to make sure your iPhone is legit. So, let’s get started!

10 Ways to identify your iPhone is original or not ?

1. Check the IMEI number

Make sure you've got the real deal by checking the IMEI number. Every genuine iPhone comes with a unique 15-digit serial number called the IMEI. You'll find it by opening your Settings>General>About.

If the box your iPhone came in has a different IMEI number listed or you can't find an IMEI in your phone's settings at all, then unfortunately you likely bought a replica iPhone. The absence of a genuine IMEI is a telltale sign of a counterfeit device.

2. Check the serial number

Double check the serial number too. Similar to the IMEI, your iPhone has its very own 12-digit serial number. You can uncover it the same way - go to Settings, then General, then About.

It's imperative that the serial number on your iPhone matches the number printed on the iPhone box it came in. If they aren't an identical match, then unfortunately you likely have a knock-off iPhone instead of the genuine article. Mismatching serial numbers are another dead giveaway of a counterfeit device.

3. Check the look and feel

Counterfeit iPhones often seem noticeably cheaper made. Look for misaligned parts, uneven gaps, or components that appear to be of lesser quality materials.

For instance, fake iPhones sometimes have a plastic rear casing instead of the authentic glass back that Apple uses. The metal side rails may also seem thinner or feel much lighter weight on replicas.

Pay attention to detail when examining the design and construction.

4. Check the software

Inspect the software too. Genuine Apple iPhones run on iOS, Apple's proprietary operating system. Meanwhile, counterfeit iPhones frequently contain modified versions of Android instead.

To check, open the Settings app on your suspect iPhone, tap General, then About. Look under the "Software" section - it should list the operating system as "iOS" followed by a version number like "iOS 17".

If instead it says "Android" or a clearly non-Apple operating system name, then unfortunately you likely have a fake iPhone on your hands.

5. Check the accessories

Genuine Apple products come with actual authentic Apple accessories like the wall charger and Lightning cable.

Counterfeit iPhones, on the other hand, commonly bundle generic, low-cost replicas of Apple's charger and cables. The quality and design of the accessories themselves are often a tip-off.

Real iPhones come with genuine Apple-branded accessories. The presence of generic knock-off accessories is a red flag.

6. Check the price

Be wary of prices that seem suspiciously low. Apple's iPhones are premium-priced products, so if a deal looks far too good to be true, it probably is.

Real iPhones do not sell for drastically discounted prices. Anything that's priced far below what an iPhone normally costs from official Apple retailers and phone carriers is highly suspect.

7. Buy from a trusted seller

The most foolproof method for obtaining an authentic iPhone is to purchase directly from trusted sellers.

The surest sources for genuine Apple products are official Apple stores and authorized Apple resellers, including major mobile carriers and electronics retailers that sell Apple devices. Online, reputable Apple-focused stores as well as major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy sell the real deal.

Avoiding sellers of questionable reputability greatly decreases your chances of getting duped by a fake iPhone.

8. Use a verification service

For added reassurance, explore verification services. There are third-party companies that can scan an iPhone's IMEI number and serial number to determine if it's genuine.

These verification services check their databases against Apple's official records to confirm whether an iPhone's identification numbers match a real Apple product. If the IMEI and serial check out as authentic, it provides strong evidence that the iPhone itself is the real deal.

9. Ask Apple for help

If you're still uncertain after checking the above signs, reach out to Apple directly for help.

Contact Apple support by phone or online chat and explain your situation and doubts about your iPhone. An Apple support representative can scan your iPhone's IMEI number and serial number to verify in Apple's system whether it's a legitimate Apple product or not.

If Apple confirms that the identifying details match one of their genuine iPhones, you've got the real thing. But if Apple says the IMEI and serial don't correspond to a real iPhone, then sadly you likely purchased a counterfeit replica.

10. Know common counterfeiting tricks

Some ways fake iPhones are made:

• Using cheap materials

• Changing the software

• Cloning the IMEI number

• Selling fake accessories

Knowing these typical counterfeiting tactics allows you to spot warning signs that an iPhone may be fake, rather than just relying on a single factor in isolation. Looking for multiple signs together boosts your chances of identifying a counterfeit iPhone before purchasing it.

Conclusion

To sum it up, there are several ways to check if your iPhone is authentic. By doing the things outlined in the article above, you can be confident that you’re getting a genuine iPhone.

It’s important to take your time and do some research before making a decision. This way, you can be sure that you’re making an informed choice.

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