How to check if iPhone is original or fake?

Are you going to buy a new iPhone? or replace the old one with a newer model? Before you decide to take such a step, read our article, which will help you easily distinguish a fake iPhone from the original one. You will learn what to look for and how to distinguish an imitation from a real model. How to check if your iPhone is not a fake? You will learn the answers to this and other questions later in our guide.

As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, you will learn how a fake iPhone differs from the original iPhone. Fake iPhone manufacturers often make a number of scams to make their potential victims believe what they are selling is genuine. Unfortunately, attempts by the police to eliminate fake iPhones from the market have been successful. So the only thing that can be done is educate people not to fall victim to and buy an iPhone from these unethical manufacturers. If you plan to buy or replace your iPhone in a used market or from another retailer that is not an Apple retailer, use this guide to determine if the phone you are buying is actually a genuine iPhone.

How to check if an iPhone is genuine or fake?

So far, there are three primary ways to find out if your iPhone is genuine or fake. To make your search easier, we grouped them into three indicators - physical, performance, and system indicators.

First, we'll start by checking the physical characters to make sure your iPhone isn't fake.

1. Check the screws

The original iPhone uses a pentalobe lock screw while the counterfeit one uses regular Phillips screws. The pentalobe security screw, from its name, has five lugs that provide the iPhone's tamper-proof system. This is a good indicator for the consumer to ensure that he or she is buying an original iPhone.

2. Check the buttons

Another physical feature to note is that on a real iPhone, buttons like sleep and wake are on the top-right corner, and the volume switch and ringer switch are on the top-left corner. If the switch or buttons aren't where they should be, then the phone you're looking at is definitely fake. Some fake iPhones have buttons in the right positions, however, feel them by sliding your fingers over them. To make sure, press the buttons several times to check that they are not loose and not correctly fitted. Clone iPhones have poor button quality.

3. Check the screen

The original iPhone screen should be clear and pixel-free. The screen uses the iPhone Retina display, which has a higher pixel density, making it look more crisp, vibrant, and full of colors. Fake iPhones have a dull color screen because of the low cost of their parts.

4. Check the Apple logo

The iPhone logo must be visible on the back of the phone. If you can't find the logo, it's not a real iPhone. Some clone iPhones are so good at mimicking the originals that they also have a logo on the back. However, you can rub your finger over the logo. You will feel the transition from phone casing on the Apple logo if you have a fake.

5. Check the splash screen

Checking the splash screen is also necessary, especially if you can't tell the fake one from the original by looking at the physical characteristics. Try turning off and then on your iPhone. The fake iPhone will have a splash screen similar to the word "Welcome" while the original one will contain the iPhone logo. On the home screen, you will find the iPhone store icon. Try to click on it. If it leads you to the Google Store, you know what to think about it.

6. Check the font

Another thing that makes a fake iPhone really funny is that when you try to check the font in messages, it displays a Chinese character so you have to configure your phone to enable the English language settings.

7. Ask the seller how many SIM cards can be used

When you check how many SIM cards work on your iPhone, the fake card vendor can proudly say that you can use two SIM cards working at the same time. Then you will know that the seller is cheating you. The iPhone can only use one SIM card. The original iPhone should be labeled with the statement that it was designed by Apple California and assembled in China. Without this kind of mark, your phone is a clone.

The main reason why fake iPhones exist is that people want to get an iPhone at a lower price. The lower price of the device is associated with the obvious poor performance of the phone. A red light should turn on right away that something is wrong.

1. Camera quality

1. Real iPhones have excellent camera quality, while fake iPhones take bad and blurry photos. A physically convincing iPhone with bad photos, regardless of lighting conditions, is likely a fake iPhone. Try out other camera modes including video recording and see how badly a fake iPhone takes photos and videos.

2. Multitasking capabilities

This is easy to check by opening the Music app and playing it in the background. Open another application and check how the phone works. Fake iPhones find it difficult to handle two applications simultaneously. iPhones run smoothly even with multiple apps open.

3. Fast scrolling between application screens

Scroll quickly left and right on the home screens. The fake iPhone will obviously lag and not be able to keep up with your fast scrolls.

To be sure additionally, you can check these system indicators to distinguish a real iPhone from a fake one:

1. Check if your iPhone is blacklisted

To check if your phone is on the blacklist, all you need to do is dial the code *#06# on your dialer to display your iPhone's IMEI number. On the phone, go to Settings, choose General, and then click on About. This will give you the IMEI number.

Read also: What is IMEI?

You will need the IMEI number to check if your phone is blacklisted. Enter your number below and check.

2. Check memory capacity

The original iPhone has a fixed capacity and cannot be expanded. Fake iPhones require a memory card to expand your storage capacity. If you find a memory card slot on the back or side of your phone, don't even bother buying such a phone.

3. Check Siri.

Probably the easiest way to find out if you are dealing with a fake iPhone is to check the Siri application. You can only run it on the original iPhone. Siri doesn't work on a fake iPhone at all.

4. Check the operating system

If you see a non-iOS app, it's 100% fake. Apple uses a proprietary iOS system as the official operating system, so there is no need to wonder if this is a fake iPhone.

5. Try to connect to iTunes

Another simple method is to connect your phone to your computer and try to boot it from iTunes. If you are getting an error, it means iTunes does not recognize your phone, which means that it is undetectable and fake.

6. Check the built-in applications.

The original iPhone should have Apple apps built-in, such as Compact, Compass, Settings, Calculator, Music, and Photos. If one of them is missing, your phone may be jailbroken. To make sure that you have the original phone, try to restore the original firmware. If after restoring the original software is still missing some built-in applications, then you know what it is - a clone of the iPhone.

Finally, a few more tips:

Ask about the warranty. Sellers of fake iPhones certainly do not provide a certified warranty service center iPhone.

Pay attention to the price. If it is sold much cheaper than the suggested retail price of an ordinary iPhone, think twice before buying the product. If the price is too good to be true, chances are that the iPhone is a fake.

Take it to the store iPhone. If your phone goes through all the above tests, but you still have doubts, go to your nearest store iPhone. Have a technician check the phone. They can run a diagnostic test to verify the authenticity of your device.