Quick Links
Find Your iPhone's Model Number
Third-Party Refurbished Devices
Key Takeaways
- Find your iPhone's model number in the Settings app to determine its origin. M means new from Apple, F means refurbished by Apple or a carrier, P means personalized, and N means a replacement from Apple.
- Refurbished iPhones from Apple go through a thorough process to make them like-new. They are cleaned, broken parts are replaced, and the battery and outer shell are changed. They operate and look like brand new iPhones but are sold at a discount.
- Carriers like AT&T and Verizon also refurbish and sell iPhones at a discount, but they may not replace the battery or provide a new warranty like Apple does. Avoid third-party refurbished devices as they may not meet Apple's standards. Knowing the origin of your iPhone can inform your decision and provide peace of mind.
After buying a used iPhone, you might wonder about its history. When first sold, did it leave Apple as a brand new device or one that had been previously refurbished? Luckily, there's an easy way to tell. Here's how.
Find Your iPhone's Model Number
Open the Settings app and navigate to General > About.
Once you tap on About, you'll be presented with a list of important information about the iPhone, including the device's name, its software version, and a model number.
Pay careful attention to the model number, because this will reveal the origin of the iPhone.
- If the model number starts with M, it was purchased new from Apple.
- If the model number starts with F, it was refurbished by Apple or a carrier.
- If the model number starts with P, it was sold as a personalized iPhone with an engraving.
- If the model number starts with N, Apple provided it as a replacement device for a malfunctioning iPhone.
If you find that your phone was refurbished, it is not necessarily cause for alarm. Apple puts its Certified Refurbished products through a rigorous process that makes them like-new. They clean each unit thoroughly, replace any broken parts if necessary, and change the battery and the outer shell.
In general, Apple Certified Refurbished products look and operate like brand new iPhones, but for legal reasons, Apple cannot sell them as new. Apple typically offers these refurbished products at a sizable discount, so they can be a great deal.
Carriers such as AT&T and Verizon also refurbish iPhones and sell them at a discount. Unlike Apple, they may not change out the battery or provide a new 1-year warranty on the phone. (You can check the warranty status on your iPhone by visiting Apple's warranty site and entering the device's serial number.)
Third-Party Refurbished Devices
If your phone was previously refurbished by an independent repair operation that isn't authorized by Apple, the model number would not necessarily reflect that. Few third-party vendors have the stringent standards for refurbishment as Apple does, so it is best to avoid third-party refurbished devices if possible.
While knowing the Apple-based origins of your iPhone won't make much difference in how it functions — that depends more on how previous owners treated it — it's always good to be more informed, and this quick tip does the job.
FAQs
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.
How can I test my refurbished iPhone? ›
If you're buying in person or inspecting after purchase
- Check for damage. ...
- Turn on the iPhone. ...
- If you see the Lock Screen. ...
- If you see the Hello screen. ...
- If you see the iPhone Locked to Owner screen. ...
- When you see the Home screen. ...
- Find out if any parts have been replaced. ...
- Check the health of the battery.
How to Check if iPhone is New, Refurbished, or Replaced
- "F" letter - is for a refurbished pattern (renovated)
- "M" letter - is for brand new iPhone (retail unit), used for devices purchased from Official Apple Store Online or Apple Retail Store.
- "N" letter - is for replaced with a brand new device - not refurbished one.
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.
How to tell if iPhone is new or refurbished on Reddit? ›
Two things that are also pretty obvious:
- The box for refurbished phones is different. For new phones, the box has an image of the front of the phone. ...
- If you go into the Apple Store app, there is a section with your products, if your phone is refurbished it will show up there.
Phones in 'Like New' condition have virtually no signs of wear; they are as good as new. 'Very Good' condition phones may have a few very small scratches or signs of wear, but nothing major, and the phones have a tidy appearance. 'Good' condition phones have more signs of wear on the body and display, such as scrapes.
How do I check my iPhone test? ›
How to put your iPhone in diagnostics mode
- Turn off your iPhone: Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. ...
- Press and hold both the volume up and volume down buttons.
Check IMEI number
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.
What does the M mean on the iPhone model number? ›
Find your iPhone's model number in the Settings app to determine its origin. M means new from Apple, F means refurbished by Apple or a carrier, P means personalized, and N means a replacement from Apple. Refurbished iPhones from Apple go through a thorough process to make them like-new.
What if iPhone serial number starts with C? ›
Ive read about what different letters mean but there's nothing about serial number starting with a C. What does it mean? It means nothing, absolutely nothing. At one time it may have determined the factory where a device was manufactured, but Apple now uses random numbers for serial numbers.
There may be some feint scratches to the device, but they will only be visible from close range. There certainly won't be any cracks, deep scratches or dents. Depending on the grade of iPhone you buy, a refurbished iPhone can look nearly new – and is available at a fantastic cost compared to buying a brand new phone.
How do you know if my phone is new or refurbished? ›
3 Simple Ways to Check If Your Android Phone Is Refurbished or Not
- Using a Dial Code Method.
- Checking the IMEI Number.
- Using a Third-Party Tool.
- Verify the Contents of the Original Box.
- Scan the Physical Condition of the Phone.
- Avoiding Unrealistic Discounts.
- Contact the Seller or Customer Care.
- Issue #1: Warranty.
The starting letter of the iPhone model number helps deduce whether your iPhone is new, untouched, or refurbished. If the model number of the iPhone starts with the letter 'M,' it is identified as a brand new, fresh iPhone.
How do I test the authenticity of my iPhone? ›
Verifying the IMEI number is a simple way to confirm the authenticity of an iPhone without needing to open the box. Genuine Apple iPhones always come with an IMEI number. If the phone lacks this unique identifier, there's a high probability that it's a counterfeit model.
How do I start my refurbished iPhone? ›
How to Setup a Used Refurbished iPhone
- First of all, turn on your iPhone. ...
- If you have another device on iOS 11, use Quick Start. ...
- Activate your device. ...
- How to set up iPhone Touch ID or Face ID feature / create a passcode. ...
- Restore or transfer your information. ...
- Sign in with your Apple ID. ...
- Set up Siri and other services.
You should be able to find out about their certification process and what they inspect. If you can, find out if the iPhone has any physical damage, the health of the battery, and the parts and service history of the iPhone. If the iPhone is Activation Locked, don't buy it. Find out about Activation Lock.
What is the life of refurbished iPhone? ›
In general, it's typically between 2 and 8 years, and big-name brands often last longer than smaller brands. Refurbished iPhones that are less than 4 years old can generally get another 2-3 years out of them before you notice a drop in speed. They become noticeably slower by the 6-year point.
