iPhone fake or original? How to check genuine Apple iPhone | Mobile News

iPhone original or fake? Here's how you can find out

iPhone original or fake? There are some easy giveaways to tell a fake iPhone knockoff from an original one. 

By: AMRITANSHU MUKHERJEE
| Updated on: Aug 21 2022, 22:02 IST
Despite the modern-day iPhones getting sophisticated, cheap knock-offs and fakes can still fool even the well-versed smartphone pundits
Despite the modern-day iPhones getting sophisticated, cheap knock-offs and fakes can still fool even the well-versed smartphone pundits (Amritanshu/HT Tech)
Despite the modern-day iPhones getting sophisticated, cheap knock-offs and fakes can still fool even the well-versed smartphone pundits
Despite the modern-day iPhones getting sophisticated, cheap knock-offs and fakes can still fool even the well-versed smartphone pundits (Amritanshu/HT Tech)

How to tell whether an iPhone is genuine or fake? For those with a greater knowledge of modern day smartphones, it is easy to figure out right from the looks. However, everybody is tech savvy and if you are worried about your new iPhone being fake, there are a few steps to ensure.

Despite the modern-day iPhones getting sophisticated, cheap knock-offs and fakes can still fool even the well-versed smartphone pundits. Thanks to Apple's closed ecosystem, there are some easy ways to tell whether your “iPhone” is hiding a cheap Android phone inside.

Fake iPhones: How to figure out

Here are a couple of simple steps you can follow to check the authenticity of your iPhone.

iPhone 13 Mini
iPhone 13 Mini (Amritanshu Mukherjee / HT Tech)
image caption
iPhone 13 Mini (Amritanshu Mukherjee / HT Tech)

IMEI number

The first step before even opening the box is to check for the IMEI number, whihc you can cross-check with Apple's website. Head over to https://checkcoverage.apple.com/in/en and put the IMEI number printed on the box. If the device is fake, the website will tell you upfront.

What if the IMEI number is of an older device?

In that case, you will need access to device and have to take note of a couple of things.

- The easiest giveaway with an iPhone X or newer model knockoff is the display bezels. Only Apple can make the uniform bezels at the bottom possible; a fake iPhone will have fat bezels, even if it uses an OLED display.

- Apple is the only major brand to use pentalobe screws around the Lightning port to secure the chassis. The screw heads will have five grooves; any less or more means fake.

- Another easy giveaway would be the charging port. A fake iPhone is most likely to feature a microUSB port or a USB-C port. The easiest way to figure out is try to plug an Apple Lightning cable into its port. If it doesn't fit, it's probably fake.

iPhone 13 Mini 
iPhone 13 Mini  ((HT Tech/Amritanshu Mukherjee))
image caption
iPhone 13 Mini  ((HT Tech/Amritanshu Mukherjee))

If the physical examination isn't giving it away, you can then check the software.

- Fake iPhones can copy the iOS interface very well. However, the irregular UI elements are an easy giveaway. When you boot up the device for the first time, an authentic iPhone should take you through setting up the Apple ID account. If the setup page asks you to enter your Google or any other account, that's the signs of a fake iPhone.

- Next, tap on the App Store icon. If the actual App Store open, you are in luck. If you see Google Play Store or any other third-party app store, that means its fake. iPhones can only install apps via the Apple App Store, nothing else.

- Next, long press the power key (Home button on iPhone SE) and wait for the voice assistant to pop up. If Siri comes up, your iPhone is true. However, its fake if you see Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or any other voice assistant.

- The final step is to head into the Settings > General > About. If your iPhone is fake, this step may not hold true and you might see some version of Android listed there.

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First Published Date: 20 Nov, 18:56 IST
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