When purchasing a previously used iPhone, you need to know how to check it by IMEI. This is special an identification number device, 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.
- 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.
- Go to the settings menu and open “General” – “About this device”. Will open information panel, where the IMEI code, model and other individual data will be written.
- On the back of the factory box. In addition to the IMEI code, on the back there is the serial number of the device and brief information about it.
- 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 the iPhone falls 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 can be a variety of options here, for example, the real owner had his iPhone 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:
- Find out the IMEI code of the device. How to do this is described above.
- We open the corresponding section on the Apple website for checking - 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”.
- 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 the deadline notice technical support devices. 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 everything is checked Apple devices, 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.
- Enter the website http://www.imei.info/ in the browser line.
- On home page Enter the IMEI code in the appropriate column. We pass below quick check by clicking on the “I am not a Robot” checkbox. Click the “Check” button to the right of the entered code.
- 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 ways to check iPhone 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:
- Go to the official website of the SNDeepinfo service.
- 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 standard check to spam. Click the “Continue” button.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mandatory inscription on the surface of the cover: iPhone, Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China. Further model is coming phone and certification mark.
- 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 ways to help you get detailed information about the originality and condition of your Apple device.
Buying a used iPhone is always a risk, since in addition to honest sellers, scammers often operate on the Internet, offering non-original Apple devices. That is why we will try to figure out how to correctly distinguish original iPhone from fake.
Below we will look at several ways to make sure that what you are looking at is not a cheap fake, but an original. To be sure, when studying a gadget, try to use not just one method described below, but all at once.
Method 1: IMEI comparison
Even at the production stage, each iPhone is assigned unique identificator— IMEI, which is entered into the phone programmatically, is printed on its body and is also written on the box.
When checking your iPhone for authenticity, make sure that the IMEI matches both in the menu and on the case. A discrepancy in the identifier should tell you that either manipulations were performed with the device that the seller kept silent about, for example, the case was replaced, or this is not an iPhone at all.
Method 2: Apple website
In addition to IMEI, each Apple gadget has its own unique serial number, which can be used to verify its authenticity on the official Apple website.
Method 3: IMEI.info
Knowing Device IMEI, when checking your phone for originality, you should definitely use the IMEI.info online service, which can provide a lot of interesting information about your gadget.
Method 4: Appearance
Be sure to check appearance device and its box - no Chinese characters (unless the iPhone was purchased in China), errors in the spelling of words should not be allowed here.
On the back of the box, look at the device specifications - they should completely match those that your iPhone has (you can compare the characteristics of the phone itself via “Settings” - “General” - “About this device”).
Naturally, there should be no antennas for the TV or other inappropriate parts. If you have never seen what a real iPhone looks like before, it’s better to spend time going to any store that distributes Apple equipment and carefully study the display sample.
Method 5: Software
As software Apple smartphones use the iOS operating system, while the vast majority of counterfeits run on Android control with an installed shell, extremely similar to the apple system.
IN in this case It’s quite easy to identify a fake: applications on the original iPhone are downloaded from the App Store, while on fakes they are downloaded from the Google Play Store (or an alternative application store). The App Store for iOS 11 should look like this:
These are the main ways to determine whether the iPhone in front of you is real or not. But perhaps the most important factor is the price: an original working device without significant damage cannot cost significantly less than the market price, even if the seller justifies this by saying that he urgently needed money.
Buy a used device - this is good way save money, since many people sell their phones and tablets almost immediately after purchase, but you still have to reduce the price, and at current prices for equipment from Apple, this will be a decent discount. But when buying a used device, there is one big risk - paying for a broken or non-original iPhone or tablet. To avoid falling for scammers, you need to check the device before purchasing and follow several rules, which will be discussed in the next part of the article.
How to check an iPhone when buying second-hand
If you decide to purchase an iPhone, iPad or iPad touch from hand, and not in an official store, then the first thing you should pay attention to is the seller himself. This is a weak indicator, but before you buy something from a person, see if he inspires trust. If this is a supplier that is engaged in mass resale of used devices, then read reviews about it, contact it former clients: Ask them if they are happy with their purchase, if the device broke some time after activation. But remember that many scammers fake reviews, which means not everything said about a seller on the Internet may be true.
If the issue is resolved with the seller, then the next thing worth checking is the device itself.
Appearance
Before buying, go to the official store and hold the desired device in your hands, study the tactile sensations of the material from which it is made. Find out the approximate prices at which you can buy an original device; if its used version differs in price too much, then it’s worth considering.
Items required to test the device
So, if you are making a deal, then in order to be completely confident in the functionality of the device, you need to have the following things with you:
Having the above things, you can easily check the operation of all functions and applications of the purchased device. What parameters you will need to pay closer attention to will be described further.
How to distinguish the device model
If this is not your first time encountering Apple devices, you can skip this point. But if this is your first time buying equipment from Apple, then this information will be very useful for you. It's easy to distinguish an iPhone 5 from an iPhone 6, but it's a little more difficult to distinguish an iPhone 4 from an iPhone 4S.
iPhone 5 and 5S
The two models are distinguished by their model number, which can be found on the back cover when turning the device face down.
Also distinguishing one model from another is the appearance of the rear camera and the Home button. The iPhone 5 has a narrower camera, while the iPhone 5S has a square on the Home button, which indicates the presence of the Touch ID function.
iPhone 6 and 6S
It is easier to distinguish these two models - just wrap the front side of the device with the screen down, and on the back check for a diamond-shaped icon with the English letter S.
iPhone 4 and 4S
Here the situation is similar to the iPhone 5, since you can check the device model using the code on the back of the case:
The device model can also be determined by the location of the antennas.
You can read more about all device models on the official Apple website by clicking on the following link - https://support.apple.com/ru-ru/HT201296.
Checking the water sensor
Before purchasing a device, you need to make sure that it has not been recessed. Water penetration into iPhone, iPad or iPod touch can lead to both instant failure and corrosion of the metal, which will lead to failure after a few weeks or months. Another important factor is the fact that a device exposed to water will automatically void the warranty.
Apple devices have a special external sensor - Liquid Contact Indicators, a humidity indicator. If water has ever gotten inside the device, this sensor changes color from gray or white to bright red. Read more about where this indicator is located at different models phone, is outlined in the table:
Equipment
Now let's look at what should be in the box, besides the phone itself:
All other accessories must be purchased separately. If one of the components of the package is not in the box upon sale, then this must be separately agreed with the seller and will affect the price of the product.
Authentication
The next step is to verify the authenticity of the device using the serial number and unique IMEI code. This data can be found on the back of the box, on a special sticker. But this data should not be trusted, since the box may be from another device or the sticker may be fake.
There is a more reliable way to find out this information - through the settings of your phone or tablet, where no one can falsify them.
Another way to find out the codes we need is to pull out the tray where the SIM card is located and read the serial number and IMEI indicated on it. You can remove the tray using a paper clip. This method has one drawback - not all device models have codes indicated on the tray.
The last way to find out the IMEI is to turn the back of the device and look at the small letters and numbers at the bottom of the cover, among which our treasured number is located.
As soon as you are done finding out the numbers and codes, you should go to one of the sites suggested below and enter the necessary data there. The site will show you detailed information about the device: color, release date, contents and filling, model number. Compare all the data with what you see on the device itself and with what the seller himself told you. If everything matches, then you can understand further. List of sites that provide similar services for providing information about Apple devices:
Checking for blocking
There are three types of Apple mobile devices:
Of course, Lock devices are a little cheaper than Neverlock, but this saving will not lead to anything good, and there will be quite a lot of problems with a predefined operator, without the right to change it.
How to identify an unlocked device?
There are a few characteristic features, helping to identify a device that was unlocked programmatically:
Functional and physical testing
Now there is the last, but practically the most important stage - checking the standard capabilities of the device and its appearance.
Frame
Check if there are any noticeable dents, cracks, or broken pieces on the case. All of these parameters can tell you how often the device has been dropped and subjected to other physical impacts. Particularly dangerous are damage to the antenna area, which can lead to communication interference.
Screws
There should be two unscrewed screws near the USB cable input. If they are missing, then we can safely say that the device was disassembled manually and, accordingly, the warranty does not apply to it.
Buttons
Check how well all the buttons perform their functions, since replacing buttons in the service can require a lot of money.
Camera
Check the front and rear cameras for external damage. Try to photograph something with both cameras. If you notice inaccurate colors, the camera sensor may be damaged.
Screen
Open various applications, restart your device, check for dead pixels(black dots). If when you press the screen there is a crunch, or you feel unevenness or emptiness, then the screen is not original, it has been replaced. Pay attention to the uniformity of brightness and color reproduction.
Screen sensor
Move icons around your device menu, making sure they move smoothly. Try using the device in horizontal and vertical positions. If possible, quickly type the message on the keyboard, and all the letters you press should appear on the screen. If this does not happen, then the device has obvious problems with the sensor.
Battery
Start shooting a video and check how much the device shrinks in 2-3 minutes. A range of 1–5% is acceptable, all other parameters mean there is a problem, and no one wants to change the battery immediately after purchase.
cellular
Speaker
Everything is simple here - turn on any melody and check how well the device reproduces it. There should be no interference, no jumping, no rustling. You can also check the speaker during a telephone conversation.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Check if these two functions work. Remember that Bluetooth only works with other Apple devices; it will not transfer files with Android. TO Wi-Fi networks the device should connect quickly and be able to download files through it.
Charger
For this item, you took a third-party battery with you. Connect it to your device and check if it charges.
Connecting to iTunes
If you happen to take your laptop with you, try syncing your device with iTunes. This will confirm its authenticity. You should not buy a phone or tablet that is not recognized in iTunes.
Sign out of your Apple ID account
The last thing you should do before handing over money for a device is to completely exit the account old Apple ID belonging to the previous owner. Otherwise, he can declare the device missing at any time and block it remotely, without asking your consent at all.
The main types of fraudulent schemes for the sale of Apple devices
There are several very plausible schemes that are most often used by attackers to sell a broken or unlicensed device by inflating its prices:
So, before you give money, thoroughly check the device using the instructions described above. Be very careful, give money only for what you personally held in your hands and tested. Demand a complete set or an explanation of why this or that item is missing. The main thing is to remember to log out of the previous owner’s account, since most scammers make money from this oversight of buyers.
I am often brought on Avito to search for goodies by low prices. Yes, I haven’t leveled up my luck yet, so I wasn’t as lucky as our editor-in-chief. But a couple of times we managed to profitably exchange smartphones.
It is important to understand that any platform with advertisements is a field of action for various scammers and, in general, unscrupulous people. It’s easy to run into an unpleasant surprise here.
Therefore, any equipment must be inspected in detail before purchasing. I bought an iPhone several times - I’ll tell you how to check them.
The easiest. Is he untied
A smartphone can pass any test with flying colors, but if the seller finds it difficult to disable “Find iPhone” - goodbye, nothing will work.
For those who are not in the know: this tightly ties the iPhone to the owner of the Apple ID, and, in fact, gives him the keys to control the device. For example, he can remotely lock your newly purchased iPhone and demand money to unlock it. He will know where you are. That's another pleasure.
The required item is hidden in the settings, in the “iCloud” section, but it is much easier to type “Find iPhone” there in the search.
How to check iPhone by IMEI
IMEI is a unique international identifier for mobile equipment. This 15-digit number must match within the same set. We check:
- IMEI on the back of the case
- IMEI in “Settings - General - About this device”
- IMEI on request *#06#
- IMEI on the SIM card tray (not relevant for iPhone SE and “fives”)
- IMEI on the box (if available)
The box is the last thing we care about. If everything matches except for it, it’s okay, the seller just brought the device in non-original packaging. Another question: why didn’t he warn you about this? This is another reason to double-check everything.
How to check iPhone on Apple website
There, in “Settings - General - About this device” the serial number is written. It can be used too. Go to the Apple website and check the status of the device.
This is how you can understand that this is not Frankenstein with the body of a conventional 6s and the filling of a six. The page will show the device model, the expiration date of the limited warranty and information about the date of purchase.
No locked iPhones
Nowadays such devices are becoming less and less common, but suddenly you are a retro lover in pursuit of an iPhone 3G. There is a possibility of running into a locked smartphone. These iPhones were purchased overseas on a contract basis. Such tubes can cause a lot of inconvenience, for which, moreover, you have to pay.
Here are a few signs by which you can understand whether a smartphone is locked or not.
- There is a substrate chip in the SIM tray.
- The device is not updated to the highest possible OS.
- In Settings - General - There is an operator about this device that is different from the one in the status bar.
- After a reboot, the device takes a long time to catch the network or requires a call to a specific number.
Such smartphones cannot be updated without the necessary manipulations; I see no reason to pay for them.
Swimmer or not?
Buying recessed smartphones is extremely dangerous. You don't know how they dried it after falling into the water. Perhaps the iPhone was in the hands of adequate service providers, or maybe it was simply put in the rice. At the same time, the oxidation of the components is still ongoing, and the smartphone will “move its horses” at any minute.
It’s a pity that this only pops up after opening the device. However, one marker is visible from the outside.
- For iPhone 5 and later: Open the SIM card tray and look inside.
- For other iPhones: look at the 30-pin connector and the headphone port.
Here you can see what a triggered marker will look like in specific model iPhone. If there are no red dots in the designated areas, then everything is in order, the iPhone did not flood on this side. More precisely, only a service center can clarify the situation.
Classic. Battery status
It is clear that when buying a smartphone second-hand, you will have to endure all the problems of a worn-out battery. But the wear and tear of a one- to two-year-old battery is insignificant.
Typically, an iPhone will last up to 500 charge cycles, at a minimum. In this case, the loss of battery capacity is not felt. Don’t think about it, the device continues to work after that, it’s just that the time “without a socket” is reduced.
The number of full charge cycles can be checked using free utility coconutBattery. If you are too lazy to take your laptop with you, you should discuss in advance with the seller the possibility of installing the appropriate utility on your iPhone. Here, Battery Life, for example.
Plus, in latest iOS, it became possible to see the percentage of battery wear in the settings. Saves time.
Studying the screen
The display is simply a storehouse of weak points. What you need to pay attention to.
Press the screen in different places with little force. Here nothing should crunch, creak or dangle. Otherwise, the smartphone was dropped or opened.
The backlight should be uniform. Open an image with a white background and a black one and notice the glow around the edges. There should be no obvious spots or too bright areas. If there are no such images, open any application with a suitable background. Well, or take a photo, for example.
On the screen there should be no yellow spots. Those that appear after the smartphone. The fact is that under the influence of temperature, the glue between the touchscreen and the display changes color. Similar jambs appear if the device is constantly squeezed, for example, kept in the back pocket of jeans and sat on hard surfaces.
We check with the same set of pictures for stripes and dead pixels.
All sensors must work
Few people want to discover a couple of dead zones on the display after some time. So check everything at once.
The easiest way is to go to the menu, turn on the icon arrangement mode (hold one of them for a long time) and drag it across the screen. It should move evenly, smoothly, not stop, and not twitch.
Open the keyboard, click all the keys. Pull down the shades of notifications and Control Center in both portrait and landscape modes. Everything should work.
Don't forget to check Touch ID. Ideally, stick your finger in there and unlock the device a couple of times, but you can also watch the owner of the smartphone.
Necessarily. Test call
Don't miss this moment: you need to insert your SIM card and make a test call to a friend's number. This kills two birds with one stone; We check the operation of the speaker and the cellular communication module.
As a last resort, if you don’t have a SIM card at hand, you can dial 112, listen to the answering robot, and then reset without waiting for the connection. Better than nothing.
Need to go online
At this stage, your own SIM card with the Internet will also come in handy. It is enough to go to any page to understand that the smartphone works in LTE networks.
Also worth finding nearby Wi-Fi point, or distribute it yourself. Problems with wireless Internet no one needs.
It would be a good idea to go to Maps and determine the current location of the smartphone to make sure that everything is in order with GPS.
Don't forget the buttons
Dumbly click each button. Nothing should crunch, dangle or sink. Rocker silent mode should respond with vibration, like the Home button in new iPhones. By the way, do not try to press this button on the iPhone 7 and 8 - it will not move a millimeter.
Don’t give in to persuasion; a broken Home button is almost impossible to fix. After replacing the part, you will be left without Touch ID.
Checking the camera and microphone
Make sure there is no debris or condensation in the camera eye. Check the flash, take a couple of photos and videos. There should be no artifacts in the frames. Don't forget to play back the video you shot with sound - this is how the rear microphone is checked.
It is also easy to check the microphone in the standard Voice Recorder application. Leave a couple of recordings and listen to them. None extraneous noise there shouldn't be.
To the heap: sensors and accelerometer
When you go to buy an iPhone, take with you not only a friend who is well versed in Apple technology, but also several useful accessories that will help you check your smartphone and identify any problems. It is highly advisable that you have with you:
- SIM card in nanoSIM format.
- SIM card slot clip.
- Headphones.
- External battery.
- Charging cable.
- Marker for discs.
- Magnifier.
- Smartphone with mobile internet.
- Laptop.
All this will be needed at different stages of the verification.
How to check the external status of iPhone
Take the iPhone in your hands and carefully examine it from all sides, paying attention to the smallest details. Ideally, you should not let go of your smartphone at all, so that an unscrupulous seller does not replace it during the transaction.
Damage
You don’t have to be afraid of scratches and abrasions on the case and screen if they don’t bother you. These shortcomings do not affect the operation of the gadget and are easily hidden using covers or. Much more dangerous are deformation of the body, chips and dents. Such defects indicate falls, and therefore possible damage to internal components.
The creaks of the case, which can be easily detected by slightly twisting the smartphone in your hands, will also tell you about past flights. This also does not bode well.
Traces of disassembly and repair
An iPhone that has not been tampered with by anyone’s playful hands, as a rule, creates much fewer problems for the new owner than copies that have been opened. To avoid unnecessary risks, do not buy a gadget with signs of disassembly. Upon careful examination, they are quite easy to identify.
Take a magnifying glass, shine the flashlight of another phone on yourself and look at the fastening screws at the charging connector. Their splines must be free of scratches and damage. This is a sign that the iPhone has not been opened, and if any repairs took place, they were carried out in a specialized service.
Any damage is a reason to be wary and ask questions to the seller.
Pay attention to the screw slots and the color of the connector rim. gadgethacks.com
Pay attention to the rim of the charging port, buttons, and SIM card tray. If their color does not match the color of the case, most likely, the smartphone was dug into and parts were changed.
The same applies to Home button: it should not differ in color from the front panel. If the button is skewed, deeply recessed, or protrudes above the panel, the iPhone was probably disassembled and the button was replaced. Due to poor quality parts, such a phone may have problems in the future.
A catastrophic gap that indicates a swollen battery. jamaran.ir
Inspect the joint between the display and the case. The transition should be as smooth as possible, without scratches or chips around the perimeter. Their presence and a sharp transition from glass to metal will indicate poor-quality repairs and possible replacement of the display module.
Excessively large and different gaps around the screen indicate tampering or swelling.
Each iPhone is assigned a unique serial number and IMEI, which can tell a lot about the device. important information. Both numbers can be found in the settings (section “General” → “About this device”) and on the sticker on the back of the box.
In the early iPhone models(5, 5s, 5c, SE, 6, 6 Plus) IMEI was additionally indicated on the back panel of the case. On iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X and later, the IMEI is laser engraved on the SIM card tray.
apple.com
Of course, the numbers must match in all places (well, unless the box can be taken from another device for a more presentable appearance when selling). Different IMEIs on the device and the SIM card tray indicate repairs and replacement of parts, and such phones, as you already know, should be avoided.
The presence of the original box is an additional plus and a guarantee that the phone is not stolen. If you also have a receipt, that’s great. The serial number and IMEI indicated in it must also match.
By serial number can be checked on the website Apple information about the device. This will make sure that you have an original iPhone of the same model and in the same color that you are buying. This way you can protect yourself from buying a copy or iPhone 6 under the guise of 6s, as well as a device with a replaced case.
In addition, the remaining warranty period will be indicated on the verification page, if it has not expired, which will allow you to check the seller’s words.
It’s also easy to determine by the serial number whether the smartphone was purchased new or refurbished. If the number starts with the letter F, it means you have a refurbished, or restored, iPhone.
Refurbished iPhones come in a plain white box with RFB or Apple Certified Pre-Owned on a sticker on the back. Not only the serial number begins with the symbol F, but also the model code and part number.
These phones have been officially tested and repaired at the Apple factory. They come with a one-year warranty, but are cheaper. In fact, there is nothing wrong here, unless the seller hid this fact.
However, there is an opinion that it is better to buy new rather than refurbished iPhones. The choice is yours.
How to check iPhone binding to operator
There are two iPhone view: neverlock and contract. The former work with any SIM card, the latter are tied to a specific telecom operator and can only be used with it.
Gevey sim and R-sim type substrates for unlocking contract iPhones. tapchicongnghe.vn
With the help of special support boards for SIM cards, a contract iPhone can be unlocked. Due to the complexity and instability of operation, such phones are much cheaper than neverlock. If you do not have the goal of saving money on your purchase, then similar iPhone is better avoid. And you can check that you really have neverlock in front of you like this:
- Remove the SIM card tray with your own hands and make sure there are no foreign objects in it.
- Install your SIM card and make sure that the phone finds the cellular network and connects to it immediately.
- Make a test call to someone you know.
- To be sure, open “Settings” → “General” → “About this device” and make sure that the name of your operator is in the “Operator” line.
If everything is in order, you can move on to the next point.
How to check if iPhone is linked to iCloud
Starting with iOS 7, devices are linked to the owner's Apple ID. This allows you to secure your data if your smartphone is stolen. Through iCloud, you can locate your iPhone and remotely lock or erase it.
Without access to the old owner's account, you cannot use a locked smartphone.
If you buy such a device, the only thing you can do with it is disassemble it for parts.
At the same time, protecting yourself from such problems is not so difficult. It is enough to do a few checks.
Activation Lock
When your iPhone displays a screen like this asking you to enter your account information, and the seller doesn’t know it and assures you that you just need to connect to iTunes, turn around and leave. This is exactly the situation when the phone is only good for details.
Find My iPhone feature
If your device turns on and works, go to Settings → Apple ID → iCloud and check if Find My iPhone is turned off. If not, ask the seller to move the toggle switch. To do this, you will need to enter your Apple ID password, which the owner, of course, must know.
Make sure the feature is actually turned off. Otherwise, after transferring the money, an unscrupulous seller will be able to block the iPhone.
Finally, to be sure, run full reset devices with subsequent activation and login to your own Apple ID.
- Open Settings → General → Reset and select Erase content and settings.
- If prompted, ask the seller for your Apple ID password.
- Wait until the erase and boot procedure is completed.
- Complete the initial setup.
- Activate your device and log in to your account.
After this, you can be sure that the iPhone is with the old owner and is ready for further use. The smartphone will look like it came straight out of the box.
How to check if iPhone is working
Like any other gadget, the iPhone is complex technical device, the malfunction of which may not be immediately noticeable. Even if the phone looks perfect on the outside, don’t rush to rejoice and buy it right away. It’s better to spend a few extra minutes, apologize to the seller for his meticulousness and check everything properly.
Silent mode buttons and switch
All iPhone controls should operate smoothly but clearly—without false positives, excessive effort, or failure. Check each key for any play, crunching or other extraneous sounds.
- Home button should have a small stroke and accurately respond to pressing. On the iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 8 and 8 Plus, it does not press, but responds with a vibration that simulates a click. This button is almost impossible to repair, so it is better not to buy a problematic device.
- Volume keys should be easy to press, producing a characteristic soft click. In this case, the volume changes strictly by one division. If the keys are difficult to press or there are false positives, repairs are a must.
- Silent mode lever. The switch travel should be rigid and act instantly, responding with vibration. It should not dangle or turn on on its own from an accidental touch.
- Power button. Like other buttons, it should also be pressed the first time and without effort, accurately recognizing single and long presses during locking and switching off.
Display
From the buttons you'll press every day to the display you'll interact with most of the time.
- Scratches. First of all, ask the seller to remove protective film or glass. Scratches and even cracks may be hidden under them. And yes, it is good form to remove all accessories to demonstrate the absence of defects. Protection is a matter of taste, and the buyer will stick the film or glass himself, if necessary.
- Defective pixels. Check the matrix for dead pixels. To do this, turn your iPhone off and on again, or take a photo with your finger covering the camera lens to get a black background. To test against a white background, open a blank page in Safari. In both cases, there should be no colored dots or stripes on the screen.
- Illumination Uniformity. Set the brightness to maximum and test the backlight on a white and black background. If it is uneven around the entire perimeter, there are stains, the module has been replaced with a not very high quality one.
- Highlights. In the same way, make sure there are no yellowish spots or streaks on the screen. They appear from squeezing the display, for example, in a jeans pocket. These defects usually increase over time, so it is better not to buy such an iPhone.
- Touchpad. You can easily check the functionality of the touchscreen by typing all the characters on the keyboard or drawing in Notes. You can also detect dead zones by dragging icons on your desktop to different areas screen.
- Oleophobic coating. iPhone display It has a high-quality oleophobic coating, which is quite easy to check. Try drawing something on the screen with a disc marker. The marker will not write on the original screen, and the paint will immediately form drops.
Speakers and microphones
The iPhone has two speakers: auditory and polyphonic. The first is located under the mesh at the top of the front panel and is used during calls. The second one is located on the right at the lower end and is used for speakerphone and playing ringtones and sounds in applications. There are only three microphones: the bottom one - to the left of the charging connector, the top one - under the earpiece grille, and the back one - next to the main camera on the rear panel.
To check microphones and speakers, it is convenient to use the standard Voice Recorder application. Make a recording and then listen to it. First through the polyphonic speaker, and then, bringing it to the ear, and through the auditory speaker. The sound should be loud and clear, without wheezing, distortion or other interference.
Additionally, you can check all microphones by shooting a short video with your camera.
Cameras
To check the cameras, first assess their visual condition. There should be no dust or condensation in the main camera eye, and there should be no scratches or chips on its surface. If the module is skewed, the lens is off-center, or the glass is sticking out above the rim, the camera has most likely been replaced.
There should be no condensation, distortions or scratches. imore.com
Launch the standard Camera application. It should turn on without delay and quickly focus on objects. Make sure that the autofocus mechanism does not rattle or make any unusual noise. Check the flash, switch to the front camera. Take several photos and videos - they should not have stripes, dots, blue, yellow or other artifacts.
Sensors
Malfunctions in the operation of sensors or their failure, as a rule, result in expensive repairs. Be sure to check all sensors and never buy an iPhone that has problems with any of them.
- Touch ID. To check the fingerprint scanner in models that have one, just add your own fingerprint to the system and try to unlock your smartphone. Go to “Settings” → “Touch ID and passcode”, select “Add a fingerprint...”, go through the setup procedure and make sure the sensor is working correctly.
- Face ID. The new unlocking system is available on iPhone X and newer devices. You can check it by observing the seller or adding your own face and testing the unlocking yourself.
- Proximity sensor. This infrared sensor dims the screen and prevents accidental taps during calls or other times when iPhone is held to your ear. You can easily check it during a call or by listening to a voice note in Voice Recorder.
- Light sensor. Thanks to this sensor, the auto-brightness function works when the backlight level is adjusted to the surrounding lighting. To check it, you need to turn on auto-brightness in “Settings” → “Display and brightness”, and then cover the area front camera finger for a few seconds - the display should dim.
- Accelerometer and gyroscope. To check the accelerometer, the easiest way is to launch the calendar or notes and rotate the iPhone - the screen should also turn over to the appropriate position. You can easily check the gyroscope by launching the Compass app and calibrating it.
Charging and headphone connector
The Lightning connector, unlike cables, does not break often, but it needs to be checked when purchasing. To do this, connect your external battery to your iPhone and see if it will charge. In 5 minutes the device should charge approximately 1-2%. When connecting the cable, be sure to try inserting it both ways.
mashable.com
If there is an audio jack, be sure to check that it is working properly. To do this, connect your headphones to your smartphone and play some music or a voice recording. The sound should be clear, without noise and wheezing, and in both headphones. The connector itself must be clearly inserted into the connector and securely fixed.
Wireless interfaces
- Bluetooth. To test Bluetooth, just connect to iPhone wireless headphones or speaker. If you don’t have them at hand, try simply transferring the photo via AirDrop to another Apple device.
- WiFi. For Wi-Fi checks Scan networks nearby and connect to one of them. Launch Safari and open a few pages to make sure the Internet is working. If public Wi-Fi is not at hand, from another smartphone via modem mode.
- GPS. The functionality of the GPS module is checked using standard application"Cards". Open it and make sure your iPhone detects your current location.
Battery
Apple guarantees work iPhone batteries without significant loss of capacity over 500 cycles. Depending on the intensity of use, this is about two years. However, you should not limit yourself to the seller’s assurances that the battery holds up like new. Better check it out.
The easiest way is to monitor the charge level while testing your smartphone. At the beginning of the inspection, turn on the charge percentage display in the “Battery” settings section and take a screenshot. If after a few minutes of checking the charge level drops by 1-2%, then the battery is fine.
On iPhone 6s and earlier devices, you can view the battery status and current charge relative to when it was new. To do this, open “Settings” → “Battery” → “Battery Status”. It also indicates whether peak performance is maintained, or whether the processor frequency will be reduced to prevent the iPhone from shutting down under load.
And finally, the most accurate, but the most the hard way- viewing the number of recharge cycles and current capacity using a special utility for your computer. This is exactly why we needed a laptop.
On Mac you can use free utility coconutBattery, there is a similar application for Windows - iBackupBot. Otherwise, the testing procedure is no different: connect the iPhone to the computer with a cable and look at the information. If the cycles have exceeded 500 and the capacity is less than 80%, keep in mind that the battery may need to be replaced soon.
Moisture sensor
Starting with the iPhone 7, smartphones have water protection, but the company still considers damage from water to be a non-warranty case. Whatever one may say, water and electronics are still incompatible. Immersion in liquids causes oxidation of electronic components and circuit boards, which almost always means failure for a smartphone. If not immediately, then in the future.
Of course, you should never buy a drowned iPhone. And recognizing it is not so difficult.
All generations of iPhone have special liquid contact indicators. When water hits them, they change color from silver-white to pink-red. In modern iPhones, these markers are located inside the SIM card slot, on older devices - inside the charging connector or audio jack.
Shine a flashlight on the indicator and take a good look at it, determining the color. At the slightest hint of redness, it is better to refuse the purchase and look for another option.
Checklist
And finally, a short list of things to check before purchasing. Peek into it while examining your iPhone so you don't forget anything.
- Damage.
- Traces of disassembly and repair.
- Serial number and IMEI.
- Binding to the operator.
- Activation lock.
- Turn off Find My iPhone.
- Home button.
- Volume keys.
- Silent mode lever.
- Power button.
- Display status.
- Defective pixels.
- Illumination uniformity.
- Matrix glare.
- Touchpad.
- Oleophobic coating.
- Speakers.
- Microphones.
- Cameras.
- Touch ID.
- Face ID.
- Proximity sensor.
- Light sensor.
- Accelerometer.
- Gyroscope.
- Charging connector.
- Bluetooth.
- Wi-Fi.
- Battery.
- Moisture sensor.