How To Check İf İphone İs Refurbished By Serial Number
Buying an iPhone second-hand can save you money — but it also comes with risks. One of the most common questions buyers ask is: “how to check if iphone is refurbished by serial number?” The answer lies in your iPhone’s serial number and model code.
In this guide, I’ll show you step by step how to find your iPhone’s serial number, decode it to check if the device is refurbished, and confirm its status using Apple’s official website. By the end, you’ll be able to tell whether your iPhone is new, refurbished, or a replacement unit — in less than 2 minutes.
How to know if iphone is refurbished ?
Step 1: Find Your iPhone’s Serial Number
You can locate the serial number in several ways:
- On the iPhone itself: Go to Settings → General → About.
- On the SIM card tray (older models).
- On the box if you still have the original packaging.
- On a computer when connected to iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Step 2: Understand the Model Identifier
The first letter of your iPhone’s Model Number tells you its origin:
| First Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| M | New device, purchased directly from Apple or an authorized reseller |
| F | Refurbished by Apple or a carrier |
| N | Replacement device issued by Apple (for example, after a repair) |
| P | Personalized iPhone (with engraving) |
Example: If your model number starts with F, your iPhone is refurbished.
Step 3: Check Apple’s Website
You can verify the iPhone’s warranty and refurb status on Apple’s official site:
- Go to Apple’s Check Coverage page.
- Enter your serial number.
- Review the details — if the warranty status looks shorter than expected, it may indicate a refurbished or replacement unit.
Extra Tips to Spot a Refurbished iPhone
- Packaging: Refurbished devices often come in a plain white box instead of retail packaging.
- Accessories: May not always include original Apple accessories.
- Price: Significantly lower than a new model from Apple.
Buying Used iPhones? Watch Out for Sneaky Refurbs
Here’s the thing: an iPhone can look brand-new on paper, but still have had a second life you weren’t told about. Some sellers refurbish phones on their own, and—let’s be honest—their “quality checks” usually aren’t anywhere near Apple’s level. That’s why, if you can, it’s smart to avoid devices that have been tinkered with by third parties.
So how do you spot one of these undercover refurbs? The model number won’t give it away, but you do have a few tricks up your sleeve:
- Peek at the packaging: A genuine Apple box with no “refurbished” label is a good sign. If it looks generic or sketchy, your phone may have had some unofficial surgery.
- Look under the hood (digitally): On iOS 15.2 or later, head to Settings > General > About to see if any major parts—like the battery or camera—were swapped out.
- Get a pro’s opinion: Booking a Genius Bar visit lets Apple’s techs check whether the screen or internal components have been quietly replaced.
So you just realized your iPhone is refurbished? Relax — that’s not a red flag. In fact, if it came through Apple’s Certified Refurbished program, it’s basically a brand-new phone with a different label. Apple doesn’t just wipe the screen and ship it back out. Every unit gets deep-cleaned, faulty parts are replaced, the battery is swapped, and even the outer shell is refreshed. The result? A phone that looks, feels, and performs like it just came out of the box.
The only reason Apple can’t slap a “new” sticker on it is for legal reasons, not quality issues. The upside: you usually get it at a lower price, which makes refurbished iPhones one of the best-kept secrets for saving money.
Now, carriers like AT&T and Verizon refurbish iPhones too, but their process isn’t quite the same. They might not replace the battery, and the warranty isn’t as generous — Apple includes a full one-year warranty on its certified models.
If you’re ever unsure about your own device, just head to Apple’s warranty checker, enter your iPhone’s serial number, and you’ll see exactly what coverage you’ve got.
