How to Identify a Refurbished iPhone

Determine the type of box in which your iPhone came., Look for worn-out or absent accessories., Look for scuff marks or scratches on the phone's housing., Match the serial number in the manual with the phone's serial number.

4 Steps 1 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Determine the type of box in which your iPhone came.

    If it's a tightly sealed white box with the iPhone's serial number on the back and the model number on the front, you've likely purchased a new phone.

    This will only be relevant for iPhones bought directly from Apple, since third-party sellers won't necessarily ship their phones in Apple packaging.
  2. Step 2: Look for worn-out or absent accessories.

    Headphones with a scratched plug, missing manuals or other accessories, or old or worn-out packaging are indicative of a refurbished phone.

    If you're buying a phone from eBay or Amazon and you're trying to determine whether or not it's refurbished, you can also email the seller for additional pictures or information. , Apple typically doesn't ship iPhones in anything less than pristine condition, so scratches on the housing or smudges on the screen should raise questions.

    If you're buying a scuffed or scratched phone from an Apple retailer, you can talk to them about replacing the phone. , Your iPhone's serial number can be found on the "About" page in the "General" section of the Settings app.

    If your phone's box doesn't come with a manual or a serial number on the box, it's likely refurbished.
  3. Step 3: Look for scuff marks or scratches on the phone's housing.

  4. Step 4: Match the serial number in the manual with the phone's serial number.

Detailed Guide

If it's a tightly sealed white box with the iPhone's serial number on the back and the model number on the front, you've likely purchased a new phone.

This will only be relevant for iPhones bought directly from Apple, since third-party sellers won't necessarily ship their phones in Apple packaging.

Headphones with a scratched plug, missing manuals or other accessories, or old or worn-out packaging are indicative of a refurbished phone.

If you're buying a phone from eBay or Amazon and you're trying to determine whether or not it's refurbished, you can also email the seller for additional pictures or information. , Apple typically doesn't ship iPhones in anything less than pristine condition, so scratches on the housing or smudges on the screen should raise questions.

If you're buying a scuffed or scratched phone from an Apple retailer, you can talk to them about replacing the phone. , Your iPhone's serial number can be found on the "About" page in the "General" section of the Settings app.

If your phone's box doesn't come with a manual or a serial number on the box, it's likely refurbished.

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Marilyn Bailey

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