IMEI Check
Check Apple Warranty, Activation Date and Purchase Date by IMEI/SN
Warranty status, activation date and estimated purchase date answer most questions about a used iPhone's age. This page explains the fields and how they can mislead.
Last reviewed 2026-10-26
Warranty and purchase date are the cheapest way to sanity-check a used Apple device. They are not forensic, but they catch the most common misrepresentations: a new-in-box phone that was activated two years ago, or a device sold with a full warranty that expired long before.
What the fields mean
- Activation status and date: when the device was first activated. The single most reliable age signal.
- Estimated purchase date: derived from activation and carrier data, not an invoice — it can be off by days or weeks.
- Repairs and service coverage: the Apple warranty window, including the expiry date and days remaining.
- Telephone technical support: usually 90 days from purchase and separate from hardware warranty.
- AppleCare+ eligibility: whether extended coverage can still be purchased.
Important
Warranty expired on a phone sold as new is not automatically fraud — refurbished and replacement units can carry a different coverage clock. Confirm with a full identification report.Which check to buy
- Just need proof of age: warranty and activation check on the serial or IMEI.
- Buying a high-value device: the combined carrier + purchase date + SN check, which gives model, colour, storage and carrier in one order.
- Warranty dispute or repair planning: the warranty pro check, which includes the full repair coverage window and AppleCare status.
- Bulk sourcing: run the model and purchase date check per unit and keep the raw output for your records.
Input type matters
Some Apple services accept an IMEI, some require the Apple serial number, and some accept either. Sending the wrong identifier returns not found after the charge. The input requirement is stated on each service page — read it before submitting.
- 1Find the serial: Settings → General → About → Serial Number, or the SIM tray on older models.
- 2Find the IMEI: dial *#06#.
- 3Match the identifier to what the service accepts.
- 4Keep the raw result text; it is useful if a dispute appears months later.
Services used in this guide
These are the exact catalogue entries this guide refers to. Prices and turnaround are live.
Open the catalogueFrequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Can a seller see that I checked the IMEI?
No. The check reads the public warranty record and does not notify anyone.
Why does a brand-new iPhone show no warranty?
Coverage can be missing on refurbished units, replacement units, devices purchased outside the covered region, or devices whose activation warranty was already consumed.
Does warranty transfer to a second owner?
Apple hardware warranty is tied to the device, not the purchaser, so it transfers with the device.
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