So you just spent $800 or $1,000 a new Apple iPhone.
Or perhaps your provider sent you a replacement one because your old one broke.
But how do you know if that new phone is really brand new?
It turns out there is an easy way to find out, thanks to a hidden code in your settings.
Recent reports in the Daily Mail,How-to-Geek, and other sites say every iPhone has a code in the model number that will instantly tell you if you are holding a previously-owned phone.
And if it was refurbished by an independent repair shop, it may not have an Apple warranty.
Apple reminds customersthat all its Certified Refurbished phones come with a one year warranty, but one refurbished by a cell store or third party may not.
So check the hidden code number before you buy. Or if you are buying from a 3rd party seller, ask them what letter the model number starts with.
That way you don't waste your money.
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To find out, go to "Settings" then go to "General" and "About," which tells you all about your phone. Look for the "Model," and specifically the letter in front of your model number. "M" -- means it was a brand-new phone when you activated it. "F" -- means it was refurbished and that someone else used it first.
To find out, go to "Settings" then go to "General" and "About," which tells you all about your phone. Look for the "Model," and specifically the letter in front of your model number. "M" -- means it was a brand-new phone when you activated it. "F" -- means it was refurbished and that someone else used it first.
The first letter in the model name will tell you your iPhone's status: If the first letter is "M" or "P", your phone is an original (retail) model. If the first letter is "N", your phone was refurbished by Apple. If the first letter is "F", your phone was refurbished by a carrier or a third-party vendor.
You can find the IMEI number by going to "Settings" on the iPhone, selecting "About," and locating the IMEI. Make sure to match this number with the one printed on the iPhone's box. After obtaining the IMEI, you can use the website http://checkcoverage.apple.com to verify the authenticity of the iPhone.
An original Apple iPhone model will always have an IMEI number. If there is no IMEI number, it is likely that the model is fake. To check the IMEI number of your device, go to Settings on your smartphone, tap on General and then go to About section. Here, scroll down to see the IMEI number.
Find your serial number, IMEI/MEID, or ICCID in Settings
Go to Settings > General and tap About. Look for the serial number. You might need to scroll down to find the IMEI/MEID, and ICCID. To paste this information into Apple registration or support forms, touch and hold the number to copy.
The difference lies in their origins and condition when comparing refurbished vs. new phones. A new phone is fresh from the manufacturer, sealed in a box, and typically has a manufacturer's warranty. On the other hand, a refurbished phone has been previously purchased but returned for various reasons.
Aside from price, a possible difference between new and refurbished products is their cosmetic condition. Note that this solely concerns the cosmetic appearance of the device since a refurb is thoroughly cleaned.
Currently, there are four known possible choices: " F ": refurbished unit. " M ": retail unit. " N ": replacement unit. " P ": personalized (engraved) unit.
A refurbished iPhone is a pre-owned phone that's been restored to its original condition but sold at a lower price than a brand new one. Refurbished iPhones are checked, tested and cleaned before they're sold again.
The starting letter at the beginning of the serial number is irrelevant to the New/Replacement/Refurbished status. In older iPhones, the starting letter/number indicates the factory where it was manufactured. In newer models it is totally irrelevant, as Apple is using random serial numbers.
Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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