iPhone data by. How to check iPhone by serial number - detailed instructions (2019)

An innovative iWatch will cost the buyer a tidy sum, so when purchasing such a gadget second-hand or from unofficial company representatives, you may stumble upon:

• stolen goods;
• Chinese copy.

Therefore, buyers often face the question: how to check your apple watch?

Original or copy: how to check your Apple Watch when purchasing

The easiest way to distinguish a Chinese copy, which unscrupulous sellers can pass off as original products. Official smart watch:

• devoid of any connectors;
• Magnetic induction technology is used for charging;
• A slot for a SIM or SD card is an insult to the iWatch.

The products of the famous American brand look completely different: all the details, curves and pixels of the screen are where they should be. Chinese copies are made very roughly: with unevenness and defects in both color and shape.

Even if the copies are externally indistinguishable from the original Apple Watch, which is almost impossible upon detailed examination, then the internal content of the fakes will certainly put an end to this dispute. Instead of branded iOS with a great design and high-quality language translation, the copies use:

• adapted Android version;
• Chinese version of unknown firmware.

In addition to the above information, it will be useful to read an article on the topic of what is the difference between ROSTEST and EUROTEST for Apple Watch at the link provided.

New or used

But if everything is clear about a counterfeit from China, and identifying it is not difficult, then how can you check a smart watch when buying it in a store or from your own hands? Even if you buy a completely new device, there is no guarantee that it is truly new.

The fact is that some Russian businessmen purchase original products not from Tim Cook’s company, but from third parties, from whom the stolen products are reflashed and resealed in the original packaging.

IMEI or serial number

You can find out the history of the origin of iWatch without leaving the store checkout. Just find the IMEI (in the settings or on the box) and check it on one of the official sites with databases of mobile devices.

Such a site could be a resource:

• https://checkcoverage.apple.com/ru/ru/ (official website Apple).

Checking the authenticity of the serial number on the Apple website You can find out about the activation status of the device by IMEI or by the serial number indicated on the package on the official website https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/. Checking Apple Watch by serial number will show information about the activation status:

• not activated;
• activated;
• blocked.

You can also find out the exact date and time of blocking or activation of the gadget by the serial number. If instead of new iWatches the store tries to sell used ones, then:

• On line with exact date the date of early activation of the device will appear.
• If the watch is stolen, the activation status will indicate that the device is blocked. It's almost impossible to get around it latest versions iOS, likewise, you cannot access the app store or log in through your profile.

Advantages and disadvantages of Chinese smartwatches compared to the original Apple Watch

Some very dubious advantages include:

• Inexpensive cost of the gadget.
• The ability to insert a SIM card and make calls directly from the smartwatch.
• There is no need to worry about the safety of the gadget - you don’t mind breaking or losing it.

Such analogues undoubtedly have more disadvantages:

• The body is cheap plastic.
• The replica is much heavier than the original.
• The straps of Chinese watches are made of leatherette, unlike real iWatches.
• A fastener made of plastic or silumin quickly becomes unusable.
• There is no protection against moisture and dust.
• The screen simply shows no signs of life, completely ignoring the user's touch.
• The service life of an outright fake rarely exceeds 10-12 months.

Apple Watch is the leader in the smartwatch market, as each gadget is distinguished by a premium level of quality. Therefore, even an inexperienced user can distinguish a fake from a genuine iWatch. When choosing such an accessory, you should not compromise in favor of low cost, because a Chinese replica will only bring disappointment.

How to distinguish an original iWatch from a fake?

Even a quick external inspection will allow you to find a number of differences that will leave no doubt that this is a fake:

• Huge frames on the sides of the screen. The screen itself is too small and grainy, and most importantly, the connector for charging the micro-USB device on the side, which clearly gives off a fake. But the most annoying thing is that you have to swipe the screen several times to get the Touchpad to work, which is, frankly, annoying.
• Chinese iWatch replicas are larger and thicker. Having put such a gadget on your hand, you immediately want to take it off. Fakes are frankly heavy, inconvenient and unpleasant in everyday use.
• Chinese iWatches are designed to work autonomously from smartphones, so they have a SIM card slot. If you have an original iPhone + Apple Watch, then separate operation of the watch is impossible.

Conclusions on how to check your Apple Watch when purchasing

When purchasing from official dealers, you don’t have to worry about the legal purity of your new smartwatch. When buying second hand, the likelihood of getting into trouble with the law when bundled with a new iWatch is much higher. Checking Apple Watch smartwatches when purchasing second-hand is no different from checking new ones, except that after the fraud is discovered, the seller will try to hide.

How to check the authenticity of an Apple Watch when purchasing?

The number of counterfeits is also growing, so you need to know how to properly check an iPhone for authenticity when purchasing.

It is also important to be able to determine whether the phone is stolen and whether it is eligible for warranty service in iStore stores.

Just a few years ago, a fake device could be immediately distinguished from original model, because Chinese fakes were made of poor quality.

This applied to both the device body and its software shell.

Today it is extremely difficult to distinguish a fake from an original Apple product., so before purchasing it is important to familiarize yourself with how you can confirm originality.

Contents:

What you need to know aboutiPhone?

The easiest way to avoid falling for a scammer is to buy only from official dealers.

These can be trusted online stores or equipment supermarkets that have been selling Apple equipment for many years, have good feedback on various online platforms and provide customers with warranty service.

It is important to note that the cost of iPhone at official dealers is 20% -30% more the price that Apple claims. This is why many people order smartphones directly from the USA through distributors. Another way to save money is to buy a used device that is in excellent condition.

Remember, with all methods of buying at a lower cost, there are a lot of pitfalls that you need to be aware of. The first way to save is These are devices from the USA.

In the States it’s really much cheaper than here, and with the availability different colors no problems either.

However, you cannot simply order a device from the USA. Such a purchase will not make sense, because the gadget will not work anywhere except the USA.

According to American law, every phone purchased must be assigned to one of the national service providers cellular communication.

This linking is carried out immediately upon purchase. There is not a single American operator operating in the Russian Federation, so the smartphone will not work.

The verification procedure should include an inspection of the external parameters of the phone, as well as checking all serial numbers and software shell:

• Condition of the case, including external features each iPhone models;
• Checking the technical characteristics of the model;
• Authenticity of serial number and IMEI code;
• Apple ID verification.

Stage 1. VerificationIMEI, serial number and parametersiOS

Never buy an iPhone without a manufacturer's box, because with its help you can immediately determine the authenticity of the phone.

Go to your device settings and open the tab "Basic". And then "About this device". A window will open in which all the factory settings of the smartphone will be displayed.

They must match the information indicated on the box. If the data is not identical, the device is fake or stolen, and the seller is trying to sell it to you in a box from a different model.

Stage 2. Verification through the official websiteApple

Each user can verify its authenticity using the Apple website. This source is the most accurate and reliable. Examination it will only take how many minutes:

note, the main objective service – check the availability of service. We recommend using the site even if you buy a phone at official points of sale. Often, chain stores may try to sell an iPhone that has previously been returned due to non-working condition.

Online service shows the following information:

• Smartphone model;
• Serial number;
• Date of purchase;
• Availability technical support and warranty service possibilities.

Important! If the valid warranty period is an optional parameter for a used smartphone, then the field "The actual date of purchase" must be marked with a green tick. This means that the smartphone is genuine and was purchased from an authorized dealer.

You can check the IMEI number on the website. The service will show the country of manufacture, date of purchase and information about whether the device was restored.

Activation Lock– what is it and how to check?

Activation Lock is a function that allows you to block . This way, if your phone goes missing, no one will be able to unlock it. Activation Lock is activated through the service. Data that the phone was stolen is instantly added to Apple's unified database.

To check if your iPhone is stolen, follow these steps:

All about bindingiPhoneToApple ID

Apple ID- This is an online service, without being tied to it it will not work. The site is needed to identify the user. In simple words, the user creates his account in the system, and then enters his account information on each of his devices.

Thus, it is linked to a personal page. , gestures and other biometric options will be available on all gadgets.

Even if it is stolen, another person will not be able to use the phone.

Before purchasing an iPhone from an uncertified seller, be sure to. No one's account should be linked to the smartphone.

If you see that from account the previous owner did not come out, ask the seller to disable the ID used in the smartphone.

If he refers to the fact that he forgot the password a long time ago and you can quickly figure out the settings at home, cancel such a purchase. If you can’t log out of your Apple ID, your phone is stolen.

If the seller really forgot or did not know that it is not enough to simply reset the phone to factory settings, ask him unlink from Apple ID in front of you:

• Go to the device settings;
• Click on the item "Basic", and then on "Apple ID";
• In the window that opens, a key will appear to log into your account if the gadget is not linked to an Apple ID. If the phone is still assigned to someone else’s page, the user’s name and photo will be displayed in the settings;

• Click on the item "Security and Password"(“Password and Security”);
• In the new window, click on the button "Exit"(“Sign Out”).

When purchasing a previously used iPhone, you need to know how to check it by IMEI. This is a special device identification number confirming its authenticity and originality. After checking, you can find out a lot of information about the phone, for example: the date of its purchase and activation, whether it is refurbished, its OS version and much more. How to do it? The following describes several basic and proven methods.

There are 4 main ways to do this. Let's take a closer look at them.

1. For the first option, you need to enter *#06# in the dialing line. The phone will automatically perform the combination and the IMEI code will be displayed in the window that appears.

1. Go to the settings menu and open “General” - “About this device”. An information panel will open where the IMEI code, model and other individual data will be entered.

1. On the back of the factory box. In addition to the IMEI code, on the back there is the device serial number and brief information about him.

1. Take a look at the back cover of the phone.

IMEI information is required to check the blocking iPhone activation. If it is activated, the new owner will not be able to enter his data and fully use the device. By checking, you can make sure that the iPhone is really new and has not been used before. If the phone is purchased secondhand, then you will know exactly the date of its initial activation.

Compare the code on the box and the phone

First of all, after you get the iPhone into your hands, you need to compare the information indicated on the box and in the device settings. If all numbers, including IMEI, serial number and model, match, then you can proceed to the next stage of verification. If differences are noticed, this indicates that the box is not original and was taken from another device.

Attention! Do not purchase an iPhone if the IMEI code on the box does not match what is specified in the device settings.

In this case, it is worth thinking about the origin of the device and the reasons why they are trying to slip you a completely different box. There may be the most different variants, for example, the real owner’s iPhone was stolen or he lost it, and a stranger is trying to sell the found or stolen item. In this case, the real owner will contact the police and the device will be wanted. This situation can bring you a lot of trouble, so avoid such dubious transactions.

Check through the official Apple website

There are many different services for checking IMEI, but first of all you should contact the official website. There you are guaranteed to receive reliable and free information. This instruction will not be difficult if you follow the step-by-step guide:

1. Find out the IMEI code of the device. How to do this is described above.
2. We open the corresponding section for checking on the Apple website - https://checkcoverage.apple.com/ru/ru/. In the space provided, enter the IMEI that you found out earlier, and a special code for checking for spam. Click “Continue”.

1. We study the received data. Under the picture of the iPhone its model and IMEI number are displayed.

Under the first paragraph there is information about the actual date of purchase.

Attention! It is important that the first paragraph has a green checkmark. If this parameter is not present, then your device is not original and has nothing to do with Apple.

The following shows a notification about the technical support period for the device. If to the left of the inscription is orange Exclamation point, then the phone’s warranty period has expired and the device is not subject to factory service and telephone support. The third paragraph stipulates the possibility of repairing the phone at official service centers.

Thus, you have received reliable information from the official Apple website about the originality of the device, as well as its timing Maintenance and support. You can also make sure that the case has not been changed, since the color on the website and “in real life” will be different.

Using this instruction, absolutely all Apple devices are checked, including iPad, iMac, MacBook, iPod, etc.

Enter the code on the International Mobile Equipment Identity website

This resource is no less popular than the official Apple website and provides the same reliable information, but in greater detail. Let's look at the step-by-step instructions.

1. Enter the website http://www.imei.info/ in the browser line.

1. On the main page, in the appropriate column, enter the IMEI code. Below we go through a quick check by clicking on the “I am not a Robot” checkbox. Click the “Check” button to the right of the entered code.

1. After this, detailed information about the device will be displayed on the monitor screen. You can find out the phone model, year of manufacture and other technical parameters. If this information does not seem enough, click on the “Read More” button to get more data.

Both of the above methods are reliable.

Attention! To obtain a complete package of information about the device, we recommend using several IMEI checking services.

Let's look at a few more popular methods iPhone checks by IMEI code. All described web resources may differ in the amount and volume of information provided.

International mobile phone verification service SNDeepInfo

To obtain more detailed information about the device, there is another popular service - SNDeepinfo. If when you enter the serial number, no result is displayed, you should think about the originality of the gadget and postpone its purchase. Let's look at the step-by-step instructions:

1. Go to the official website of the SNDeepinfo service.

1. Make sure that the “Apple” column is highlighted in the panel above the IMEI code entry line. Next, enter the gadget’s personal code in the appropriate line and put a tick in front of the inscription “I am not a robot.” This is a standard spam check. Click the “Continue” button.

1. At the beginning of the page there will be a picture in the style of a warranty sticker. It contains the phone model, its IMEI, as well as information about whether it is stolen.

Free of charge, this service provides information about technical specifications device, IMEI code decoding, color and originally intended region of sale.

To find out which countries the iPhone is adapted for, you need to enter the letters of the phone model on the same website, as shown in the screenshot below.

In order to find out your phone model, you need to go to “Settings” - “General” - “About this device”. In the menu that appears there will be a corresponding line “Model”. On the site you only need to enter the penultimate two letters (circled in the screenshot below).

We enter the data and get the following result:

For an additional fee, you can find out on the same service Additional information about your iPhone:

• country of purchase;
• name of the organization that completed the sale;
• the estimated and recorded date of purchase of the device;
• information about the status of the “Find my iPhone” function;
• iCloud information.

Checking the authenticity of the back cover of a smartphone

The authenticity of an Apple gadget can be determined by the first external signs. Immediately pay attention to the back cover of the device. In all models starting from iPhone 5, the IMEI code is written on the cover. In older versions, the serial number information is printed on the SIM card slot.

There are 3 more main factors based on which we can draw conclusions about the originality of the iPhone. You just need to look at the back cover.

1. There should not be any crooked or blurry inscriptions, hieroglyphs, typos, etc. All letters are made very carefully and accurately. If you see that the words on the back cover are uneven or sloppy, then you are most likely holding a replica.
2. Mandatory inscription on the surface of the cover: iPhone, Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China. Next comes the phone model and certification mark.
3. The cover cannot be removed simply by hand. On the original device, it will in any case be secured with bolts or will not be removable at all.

Attention! Even if the iPhone seems original by all external features, do not forget to check its IMEI code on the appropriate sites.

Summarizing

When buying an iPhone secondhand, be careful and carefully check the phone for all the signs described above. It is better to spend a little more time on the verification procedure, but you will be sure that you bought a high-quality and original product.

• Apple official website;
• IMEI website;
• Service SNDeepinfo;
• External inspection of the back cover.

The above describes several ways to check an iPhone for originality. Choose the one that is most convenient for you. There is another very simple one and quick way verify the authenticity of the phone. To do this, just go to App Store. The problem is that no matter how good the replica is, it will still go into the store Google Play.

Video instruction

This video describes some methods that will help you get detailed information about the originality and condition of your Apple device.

On this moment It has never been easier to come across a fake or refurbished version of an iPhone disguised as an original. 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 in general to 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 the overall quality of counterfeits has increased markedly 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 an iPhone or other Apple devices, then you will probably 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

1. Open the settings menu.
2. "Basic".
3. "About this device."
4. 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 device is intended for sale. 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.

Determining a restored iPhone by IMEI

You can find out whether an iPhone is new by comparing the information from the IMEI with what is actually there. After entering the IMEI on the appropriate website, you will receive part of the device data. Here you should pay attention to several main characteristics.

• If a newly purchased smartphone has the Find My Phone function activated, then it is refurbished. New devices have this feature disabled by default.
• If the color does not match, then the case has clearly been changed, so the phone may well be refurbished.
• If opposite the lines about warranty service It says “Expired”, which means the device has been in use for quite some time.

This also works when buying a smartphone secondhand, the owner of which is trying to sell the refurbished device under the guise of a new one.

In general, despite the improvement in the quality of Chinese counterfeits, it is still quite easy to distinguish them from the original. You just need to be more careful and know about some of the features of Apple products.

Acquisition new iPhone from an official retailer makes a rather serious hole in the budget of the domestic user, so many prefer to look for cheaper options on the secondary market or from “gray” suppliers. Naturally, it would be a good idea to check such a device before purchasing.

In contact with

What is noteworthy is that the fears of buyers of used or “gray” smartphones are completely justified. For example, a seller may claim that the device is not tied to an operator contract, but in fact, after flashing the iPhone, it will refuse to accept a SIM card and turn into a media player, in other cases, scammers will subsequently demand additional money. These and other nuances can be checked by the serial number, even without having the iPhone itself in hand.

How to find out IMEI and serial number of iPhone

You can find your iPhone and iPad serial number at original box(back), in iOS settings ( Settings —> Basic —> About this device) .

ATTENTION:

• Apple device serial numbers may contain the number "0" (zero), but never contain the letter "O".
• If it is not possible to open the menu " Settings", then to get support, you can call the IMEI/MEID code instead of the serial number instead of the serial number

What can you check using your iPhone serial number?

Linking the device to iCloud (Apple ID) - Activation Lock status

Since January 28, 2017, the iCloud page (icloud.com/activationlock/), where you could check the activation lock status, no longer opens. In addition, links to this service have disappeared from the Apple technical support site. Apparently, the page was deleted by the company itself, without disclosing the reasons.

Find My iPhone includes Activation Lock to prevent someone else from using your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch if it's lost or stolen. Activation Lock turns on automatically when you turn on Find My iPhone (In iOS 6 - iOS 10.2.1: Settings->i Cloud -> In iOS 10.3 and later: Settings -> Apple ID -> iCloud -> ).

When Activation Lock is enabled, a third party will need to enter the device owner's Apple ID and password to disable Find My iPhone, delete data, reactivate, and use the gadget.

This measure allows you to protect the device if it falls into the wrong hands and increases the chances of its return. Even if the user remotely deletes all data from the device, Activation Lock will prevent unauthorized reactivation.

How does Activation Lock work?

When Find My iPhone is turned on on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, your Apple ID is securely stored on the company's activation servers and linked to your device. From now on, to disable the functionality, delete data on the device and reactivate it, you will need to enter your password.

What to do if you lose your device?

If your device is lost or stolen, you must immediately put it in lost mode in Find My iPhone. This mode locks your screen with a 6 or 4 digit passcode and displays a message with your phone number to make returning your device easier.

If necessary, you can remotely erase data from the device; the message will remain on the screen even after the information is deleted. While Activation Lock works in the shadows to prevent unauthorized use or sale of the device, Lost Mode reminds the finder (or stealer) that the gadget has an owner and cannot be used without knowing the password.

To turn on Lost Mode, visit icloud.com/find from a Mac or PC, or use the Find My iPhone app for iOS.

Should I turn off Find My iPhone before transferring my device to another owner?

Before passing the gadget into other hands, you need to disable the functionality in order to New user was able to activate and use the device. The best way to do this is to sign out of iCloud and then delete all data and settings on the device. Next, turn off Find My iPhone and remove the device from your Apple ID account.

1 . Click " Settings -> iCloud;

2 . Scroll down, click " Go out» and confirm the action by pressing the button again;

In iOS 10.3 and later: Settings -> Apple ID -> iCloud -> .

3 . Click " Delete from iPhone" and enter your password;

4 . Return to " Settings»;

5 . Click " Basic» -> « Reset» -> « Erase content and settings».

Do I need to disable Find My iPhone before servicing (repairing) the device?

If the Find My iPhone function is enabled, service specialists will not be able to diagnose the device.

What to do if you don't remember your Apple ID password?

If you can't remember your Apple ID password, reset forgotten password on your Apple ID page or contact Apple Support.

What should I do if the purchased device is still linked to the account of the former owner?

In this case, you need to contact the previous owner of the device as quickly as possible and ask him to erase the data and remove the gadget from his account.

How to check for Activation Lock when purchasing a used device?

If you purchased an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch other than from an Apple store or authorized point of sale, make sure that all information is deleted from the device and that the device itself is not linked to the previous owner's account. To do this, follow these steps:

1 . Turn on and try to unlock the device;

2 . If you see a password prompt on the Lock screen or Home screen, your data has not been deleted. Ask the seller to completely erase the data: “ Basic» -> « Reset» -> « Erase content and settings» ().

Don't buy a used iPhone, iPad or iPod touch until it's been erased;

3 . Enable the device setup process;

4 . After selecting your language, region, country and network connection, device activation will begin. If a request for the password and ID of the previous owner appears on the screen, it means that the device is still linked to his account. Return the device to the seller and ask him to enter your password. If the previous owner cannot be reached, he can remove the link to the account via icloud.com/find.

If you see a setup prompt after you turn on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch for the first time and connect to the Internet, the device is ready to use.

Activation Lock is only supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch running iOS 7 or later, and Apple Watch running watchOS2 or later.