How to tell if an iPhone is fake or real

Fake iPhones are common on marketplaces and in street sales. Many copy the look of a real one, so do not trust the case, the box or a quick glance. These checks use Apple's own records and the phone's software, which are much harder to fake. Do them before you pay.

Check 1: Does the serial number pass Apple's Check Coverage page?

Check 2: Do the IMEI and serial match in three places?

Dial *#06# to show the IMEI. Compare it with the IMEI in Settings › General › About, with the sticker on the box, and with the number on the SIM tray or the back of the phone. If any of them do not match, the phone or the box may not be what it claims. Our guide to finding the IMEI number shows every method.

Check 3: Does it run real iOS?

• A real iPhone runs iOS, with Settings and the App Store in the same layout you see on other iPhones. A fake often runs a changed version of Android made to look like iOS.
• Check that you can sign in with an Apple Account and download an app from the App Store.
• Check that Face ID or Touch ID can be set up, if the model should have one.
• Look at the model number in Settings › General › About. It should match the generation the seller claims.

Check 4: What does Parts and Service History show?

On recent iPhones with recent iOS versions, Settings › General › About › Parts and Service History shows whether the screen, battery and camera are genuine Apple parts. A genuine iPhone can still have repaired parts, so this does not prove the phone is fake. It tells you what has been replaced, which matters for the price.

Check 5: Are Find My and Activation Lock off?

A real iPhone can still be stolen or locked to someone else's Apple Account. Before you pay, ask the seller to sign out of their Apple Account and turn off Find My in front of you. If the phone asks for another person's Apple Account after you erase it, do not buy it. See our guide to checking if a phone is stolen.

Check 6: Do the price, seller and paperwork look right?

• A price far below the usual used price is the biggest warning sign.
• Buy from a seller you can contact again, and pay in a way that you can dispute.
• Ask for a receipt that lists the serial number or IMEI.

Which old tips do not prove anything?

Many pages still repeat checks from old iPhones, such as holding the Home button to test Siri or counting grooves on screws. Newer iPhones have no Home button, and modern fakes copy many physical details. Weight, box print quality and the gap around the screen can hint at a problem, but they cannot prove a phone is real. Use the serial number and the software first.

Is a refurbished iPhone fake?

A refurbished iPhone is a genuine iPhone that was repaired or reconditioned. It often has a new battery or a new case. That is different from a counterfeit. See how to check if an iPhone is refurbished, and read our checklist for used phone buying tips.

What fake iPhone red flags can you see?

Look for a price that is far below normal, a seller who refuses to let you check the phone first, a box with spelling mistakes, an Android-style system with an iOS look, and a camera, speaker or screen that feels cheap. Genuine iPhones run iOS and cannot be changed to Android. A copy may show a plastic feel, mismatched ports or an app store that is not the App Store.

Where should you buy to avoid fakes?

Buy from Apple, your carrier or a large retailer, or from a marketplace with buyer protection. Pay by card, not by cash or a transfer. Before you pay, run the serial number check above and see how to buy a used phone. If you want to rule out other problems, read how to tell if an iPhone is refurbished and how to check if a phone is stolen.