No repair listed
No repair is shown in this menu. This does not prove the phone was never repaired.
Free student lesson Pre-purchase checklist
How to check an iPhone before you buy or repair it
Eight practical bench checks with pictures. Know what to look for—and what each result really means.
8
Checks
10 min
Per phone
7
Apple links
First, know the difference
Genuine iPhone
The device is an Apple iPhone. No single identifier check proves this by itself.
Original parts
Parts installed at the factory. Settings can reveal some repairs, but no single code or check proves every part is original.
Refurbished
A device restored or resold after use. These checks cannot always tell whether Apple or another seller refurbished it.
1
Check the IMEI with the Phone keypad
Phone → Keypad → *#06#
*#06#- Open the Phone app and tap Keypad.
- Type *#06#. The IMEI appears automatically; do not press Call.
- Compare it with Settings → General → About and, if available, the original box or purchase record.
What to look for
An identifier panel with IMEI information. Dual-SIM iPhones can list IMEI and IMEI2; compare the same identifier in both places.
What to record / next action
Record whether the keypad and About identifiers match in your private inspection notes. If they differ, stop and investigate.
This code only displays the device identifier. Matching IMEIs are a useful consistency check—not proof that the phone or its parts are genuine.
2
Find the model and identifiers
Settings → General → About
- Open Settings, tap General, then About.
- Review Model Name, Model Number, Serial Number, and IMEI.
- Tap the value beside Model Number to switch between the part number and model number.
- Look at the FIRST LETTER of the part number (for example M or F):
- M – Brand New: originally purchased new from Apple or an authorized retail store.
- F – Refurbished: has been through Apple's or an authorized carrier's refurbishing process.
- N – Service Replacement: provided by Apple as a replacement unit, usually after a repair or service request.
- P – Personalized: customized with a personal engraving when bought directly from Apple.
What to look for
The part number begins with a letter, such as M. Tapping it reveals an A-number that identifies the hardware model; the M/F/N/P guide applies to the part number, not the A-number.
What to record / next action
Write down the model name, storage capacity and the part-number prefix. A prefix describes the original sales category—not current condition or later third-party repairs.
Compare the information with the phone and seller’s records. If details conflict, investigate before buying or repairing.
3
Read Parts and Service History
Settings → General → About → Parts and Service History
- Stay in About and scroll below the serial number.
- If Parts and Service History is present, open it.
- Read the status beside each listed part.
What to look for
In this example, Battery is Genuine and Display is Unknown. Tap a listed part for available details; do not treat one genuine part as proof that all parts are original.
What to record / next action
Note every listed part and its exact status. If the section is missing, record “No history shown,” not “Never repaired.”
Genuine
Apple reports replacement with genuine Apple parts and processes. It was repaired—this is not proof the part came from the factory.
Used
A genuine Apple part was previously installed in another iPhone, on supported models and software.
Unknown
The part may be nongenuine, not working as expected, previously used in a way the system cannot verify, or not fully verified.
Finish Repair
Repair setup or calibration has not been completed.
Unverified
The logic board was replaced, which could affect some features.
This section appears only on supported models and software when relevant history is available. Supported parts vary by model; older iOS versions show less information. No history section does NOT prove the phone was never repaired.
4
Check battery information
Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging
- Open Settings, then Battery.
- Tap Battery Health & Charging (wording may vary by iOS version).
- Review Maximum Capacity and any service or battery messages.
- Return to About → Parts and Service History to check for a listed battery replacement.
What to look for
The example shows 85% of estimated original capacity—not 85% current charge. Check for service messages, unexpected shutdowns, unusual heat or rapid charge loss during testing.
What to record / next action
Record the capacity percentage and any warning message. A swollen battery or lifting display needs a technician’s safety assessment; do not press it flat or keep charging it.
Battery health indicates condition, not whether the battery is original. A replacement may not have enough information shown here.
5
Check Apple coverage
Settings → General → About → Serial Number
- Copy the serial number from About.
- Open Apple’s coverage page and enter it there.
- Compare the device details shown with the phone you are inspecting.
What to look for
The returned model should agree with the phone. “Coverage Expired” means the listed coverage has ended; it does not mean the phone is fake or unusable.
What to record / next action
Note whether the model matches and what coverage is shown. If Apple does not recognize the serial, recheck your entry and contact Apple rather than guessing.
Watch: verify on Apple’s website and compare
AI-generated demonstration video, not a recording of Apple’s actual website. Apple’s page layout may look different.
Apple website steps
- On the iPhone: Settings → General → About. Press and hold Serial Number, then tap Copy.
- On a computer or the phone, open checkcoverage.apple.com (make sure the address ends in apple.com).
- Paste the serial number, type the code shown in the picture box, and click Continue.
- Read the result: device picture and name, purchase date status, repairs & service coverage, and AppleCare status.
- Hold the phone next to the result and compare the details below.
Compare phone vs. Apple result
Model name
Phone’s About “Model Name” should match the device name Apple shows.
Color / storage
Apple’s picture should match the phone’s color; storage should match About → Capacity.
Purchase date
“Valid purchase date” is normal. A warning to update the date is a reason to ask the seller for a receipt.
Not recognized
If Apple says the serial is not valid, re-type it. Still failing? Do not buy—ask Apple.
Coverage results help check Apple’s warranty information. They are not a complete authentication report and do not prove every installed part is original.
6
Check carrier lock
Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock
- Open Settings, then General, then About.
- Find Carrier Lock.
- “No SIM restrictions” means the iPhone is unlocked. A carrier name or restriction may mean it is limited to that carrier.
What to look for
Read the exact Carrier Lock value. If it shows a restriction or the result is unclear, ask the carrier to confirm unlock eligibility; do not promise the customer you can unlock it.
What to record / next action
Note carrier-lock status and test a compatible SIM or eSIM with permission. Unlocked does not prove the phone is paid off, not blacklisted, or free of Activation Lock.
Check compatibility with the intended carrier before buying. Carrier lock and Activation Lock are different checks.
7
Test the basic functions
Display • Cameras • Audio • Charging • Connections
- Test touch across the whole display; check brightness, colors, and response.
- Test front and rear cameras, focus, and flash.
- Record and play a short Voice Memo to check microphones and speakers.
- Test buttons, vibration, the charging port, and wireless charging if supported.
- Test Face ID or Touch ID.
- With permission, test Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular service.
- Watch battery behavior while using the phone.
What to look for
Use Notes to draw lines over the whole screen for missed touch areas. Photograph a near and distant object with each camera. In Voice Memos, record speech and play it back. Confirm the charging indicator appears with a known-good cable.
What to record / next action
Record pass/fail for each function, including cameras, touch, audio, buttons, charging and connections. Clean visible debris safely and retest with known-good accessories before deciding a part has failed.
A working feature today does not guarantee future reliability. Note faults and explain them before agreeing on a repair or purchase.
8
Check Activation Lock before accepting
Owner removes account → Erase phone → Check setup
- Do not accept a phone showing “iPhone Locked to Owner” or asking for the previous owner’s Apple Account during setup.
- Ask the owner to remove the phone from their account and erase it.
- Check setup again before accepting the phone. Do not enter a stranger’s Apple Account password.
What to look for
After the owner backs up and erases the phone, continue setup with Wi-Fi and the owner’s permission. The Hello screen alone is not enough; a previous-owner account prompt can appear later.
What to record / next action
Do not accept the phone for purchase while it is locked. Have the owner remove it from their Apple Account and check setup again; never attempt to bypass the lock or request their password.
Stop if Activation Lock remains. Only accept the phone after the owner removes it.
Read your final result
Repair listed
Review the part and status. Genuine or Used still means that part was replaced.
Unknown / Finish Repair / Unverified
Investigate further. Explain the specific status before accepting or pricing the phone.
Activation Locked
Do not accept the phone until the owner removes Activation Lock.
What this check can and cannot prove
These checks help compare identifiers, review available repair history, assess current condition, and identify locks. Use the results together—not one label or code alone.
They cannot prove every part is original, that a phone has never been repaired, who refurbished it, or that it will stay fault-free. If information conflicts or the phone’s identity is uncertain, ask Apple Support or a qualified technician.
Keep customer identifiers private
Never publish or share a customer’s full IMEI or serial number in a public post. Enter identifiers only on the official Apple pages when needed.