How to Check iPhone Original: 9 Ways to Spot a Genuine iPhone

September 30, 2026

You can check if an iPhone is original by verifying its serial number and IMEI on Apple’s Check Coverage website.

9 Ways to Spot a Genuine iPhone

Verify Serial Number and IMEI: Go to Settings > General > About to find your serial number and IMEI. Dial *#06# to confirm the IMEI matches. Then check it on Apple’s official verification page.
Check the Operating System: Genuine iPhones run iOS. Fakes often run a skinned version of Android with a fake iOS theme. Try opening the App Store.
Inspect the Model Number Prefix: Go to Settings > General > About and look at the first letter of the model number. M means a brand-new unit, F is refurbished, N is a replacement device, and P is personalized.
Test Apple Services: Try using native services like Siri, iMessage, and FaceTime. Counterfeit phones often fail to log into genuine Apple ID or iCloud services properly.
Inspect Parts and Service History: Go to Settings > General > About to see if components like the screen or battery show “Genuine Apple Part” or an “Unknown Part” warning. Check Build Quality and Materials: Real iPhones use premium glass and metal with precise button placements. Fake models often feel too light or use cheap plastic.
Examine Screen Bezels: Authentic iPhones have completely symmetrical bezels around the display. Fakes often feature a thicker bottom “chin”.
Test Computer Recognition: Plug the phone into a Mac or a Windows PC with iTunes or Finder installed. Genuine devices are recognized instantly by Apple software.
Inspect the Camera Lenses: Counterfeit models often use cheap, mirror-finish camera lenses that look smaller or reflect light differently than real multi-lens setups.

Why You Need to Check an iPhone Before Buying

Three problems are common. Fake iPhones copy the look of the phone but run a different system. Rebuilt iPhones are genuine phones with cheap non Apple screens, batteries or parts. Locked iPhones are real and complete but tied to a previous owner’s Apple Account or to a carrier, which makes them close to useless. A five minute check protects you from all three.

Test 1: Check the Serial Number in Settings

Every iPhone has a unique serial number.

Go to Settings > General > About.
Find Serial Number. Tap and hold it to copy it.
Compare it with the number printed on the box label. If the box is included, the serial number on the box should match the phone exactly.

If the About screen does not show a serial number in the normal Apple format, or the phone does not have a Settings app that looks like iOS, treat it as a serious warning sign. Checking a serial number works on any Apple device, and our guide on how to check laptop serial number explains the same idea for laptops.

Test 2: Verify the Serial Number With Apple

Apple has an official tool called Check Coverage.

Open a browser and go to Apple’s Check Coverage page.
Enter the serial number and the security code shown.
Read the result. A genuine iPhone shows the correct model name and whether it has active coverage.

What the result tells you:

Model matches the phone in your hand. Good sign.
Serial number not recognised. The phone may be fake, or the number was typed wrongly. Try again once, then walk away if it fails.
Different model than the phone you are holding. A red flag for a cloned or tampered phone.
Purchase date and coverage. Shows whether the phone is still under warranty or eligible for AppleCare.

Pro Tip

Do the Check Coverage test before you agree on a price, not after. Ask the seller to send you a photo of the serial number from Settings, or read it out, then check it on Apple’s page while you are still talking. A quick result tells you whether to keep negotiating or leave, and it costs nothing.

Test 3: Read the Model Number Prefix (M, F, N or P)

Still in About, look at Model Number. It shows a code such as MPXX3AE/A. The first letter tells you the phone’s history.

M: a brand new phone sold through normal retail.
F: a refurbished phone, usually from Apple’s refurbished program.
N: a replacement phone, given by Apple after a repair claim.
P: a personalized phone, for example with engraving.

If a seller says the phone is brand new and the letter is F or N, ask why. Refurbished and replacement phones can be perfectly good, but they should not be sold at the price of a new phone. Tapping the model number switches it to the regulatory number that starts with the letter A.

Test 4: Check the IMEI

The IMEI is a 15 digit number that identifies the device on mobile networks.

Open the Phone app and dial *#06#. The IMEI appears on screen.
Compare it with Settings > General > About > IMEI and with the box label.
All numbers should match.

A mismatch means the box does not belong to the phone or something has been altered. You can also ask your mobile carrier, such as e& or du, to confirm the IMEI is not blocked or reported lost.

Test 5: Look at Parts and Service History

On modern iPhones, iOS shows whether parts are genuine.

Go to Settings > General > About.
Scroll down and tap Parts and Service History, if it appears.
Read the list. It shows parts such as the screen, battery and camera and whether each is a Genuine Apple Part or has been replaced.

A message that says Unknown Part or Unable to verify means a part was not installed properly by Apple or an authorised provider. It does not always mean the phone is fake, but it lowers the value and may cause problems with features such as True Tone or Face ID.

Test 6: Check the Battery Health

A battery is the first thing to wear out on a used iPhone.

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
Read the Maximum Capacity percentage.

A used phone with a very low percentage will need a new battery soon. If the option says Unknown Part for the battery, it has been replaced with a non Apple battery. To learn how battery checks work on other devices, see how to check laptop battery health.

Test 7: Check the Carrier Lock

A locked iPhone works only with one network.

Go to Settings > General > About.
Look for Carrier Lock.
It should say No SIM restrictions. If it says a carrier name, the phone is locked.

You can also insert your own SIM card and make a call and use mobile data to confirm that it works.

Test 8: Check Activation Lock and Find My

This is the most important test for a used iPhone.

Ask the seller to go to Settings > their name > Sign Out, and turn off Find My iPhone.
Ask them to erase the phone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, in front of you.
When the phone restarts, it should show the Hello screen and let you set it up without asking for someone else’s Apple Account.

If it asks for an Apple Account and password of the previous owner, the phone is Activation Locked. Do not buy it. Without the owner’s account, even Apple cannot unlock it.

Test 9: Inspect the Hardware and Software

Spend two minutes testing the basics before you pay.

Screen: check for dead pixels, yellow patches, lines and touch response across the whole display. Turn on True Tone in Control Center brightness settings on models that support it, because a missing True Tone option can point to a replaced screen.
Cameras: open the Camera app and test every lens, flash and video recording.
Face ID: set it up and unlock the phone several times.
Speakers and microphones: play a video, make a call on speaker and record a voice memo.
Charging port and buttons: plug in a charger and press every button.
SIM tray: open it and insert your SIM.
Body: look for gaps, scratches and screws. Genuine iPhones use tiny five point pentalobe screws at the charging port.
Software: the phone should run iOS, offer the App Store, iCloud and Siri, and update normally in Settings > General > Software Update.

Signs of a Fake iPhone

The system looks like Android with an iOS skin, or the icons and menus behave differently.
The About screen does not show a normal serial number, model number and Apple style layout.
Apple’s Check Coverage page does not recognise the serial number.
You cannot sign in to iCloud or the App Store, or the App Store looks different.
The charging port is not Lightning or USB C, or there is a headphone jack on a model that never had one.
The phone feels light, the screen looks dull, and the camera quality is poor.
The price is far below every authorised shop.

New, Refurbished and Replacement: What Is the Difference?

A new iPhone has an M prefix and comes sealed. A refurbished iPhone has an F prefix and has been repaired and tested, and Apple’s own refurbished phones come with a warranty. A replacement iPhone has an N prefix. None of these is fake, but the seller must tell you which one you are buying and price it correctly.

A Safe Way to Buy an iPhone in the UAE

Buy from an authorised source when you can. Apple Stores and authorised resellers in the UAE give a proper receipt and warranty.
Ask for a VAT invoice with the serial number on it for a new phone.
Meet in a public place such as a mall for second hand purchases, and never pay before you have tested the phone.
Run all nine tests in this guide.
Check the model country. A phone made for another market can affect warranty and features, so learn how to check iPhone model country.
Keep the box and receipt. They help with returns, warranty and resale.
Walk away if the seller refuses any test.

Once you own your iPhone, you can bring your old data across. If you are leaving Android, follow how to transfer data from Android after you have checked the phone, and then learn to edit videos on iPhone to enjoy the camera you paid for.

Need iPhones for Work? Rent Genuine Devices Instead

If you need iPhones for a team, an event or a short project, buying used phones from unknown sellers is risky and time consuming. A locked, rebuilt or fake device can cost you a whole event day.

Renting avoids the guesswork, you receive working iPhones for the dates you need, without worrying about their history, and you return them when the job ends. It is a practical choice for exhibitions, staff trials, conferences and product launches around Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

If your team also needs laptops for reporting and content, see the top laptops for rent in Dubai, and compare the cost to rent MacBook devices for creative work. To confirm the iPhone models available for your dates and quantities, contact our rental team.

Frequently Asked Questions About Checking an Original iPhone

How do I verify a new iPhone?

You can verify a new iPhone by checking its serial number, model number, IMEI and coverage information. Go to Settings > General > About and compare the details with the box and purchase documents. You can also use Apple’s official coverage checker to confirm that the serial number corresponds with the expected iPhone model.

How do I check an iPhone with the serial number?

Go to Settings > General > About and find the Serial Number. Copy it and enter it into Apple’s official coverage checker to view the associated device information and coverage status. For a used iPhone, also compare the serial number with the box and check Parts and Service History before buying.

What does *#6 do on iPhone?

Dialling *#06# on an iPhone displays the device’s IMEI number, a unique identifier used by mobile networks. You can compare this number with the IMEI shown under Settings > General > About and, where available, the number on the original packaging. A mismatch can indicate that the box and device do not belong together.

What are the signs of a fake iPhone?

Common warning signs include an Android-based interface presented as iOS, unusual menus, missing Apple services, poor camera or display quality, an unrecognised serial number and hardware that does not match the advertised model. Check the device information in Settings and compare it with Apple’s coverage details before paying.

How do I check if my iPhone is original?

Go to Settings, General, About and note the serial number and model number. Enter the serial number on Apple’s Check Coverage page. If it shows the correct model and status, and Parts and Service History looks normal, the iPhone is genuine.

How can I check if an iPhone is original with the serial number?

Open Settings > General > About, copy the serial number and enter it on Apple’s Check Coverage page. A genuine iPhone shows its model name and coverage. If Apple does not recognise the number, the phone is likely fake or the number is wrong.

How do I check if an iPhone is new or refurbished?

Look at the first letter of the model number in Settings > General > About. M means new, F means refurbished, N means replacement and P means personalized. If a seller claims new but the letter is different, ask for an explanation.

What does Unknown Part mean on iPhone?

It means iOS cannot verify that a part, such as the screen or battery, is a genuine Apple part installed correctly. The phone may still work, but some features can be limited and the phone is worth less than an untouched one.