How to Check iPhone Warranty Online (Step by Step)
Two ways to verify iPhone warranty status: Apple's official Check Coverage page and an IMEI-based checker. Plus what AppleCare+ covers and how to read the result.
Why Check iPhone Warranty?
iPhone warranty status tells you whether Apple will repair your phone for free, when the coverage expires, and whether the phone has AppleCare+. If you are buying a used iPhone, the warranty status also confirms the activation date the seller claims, because Apple activates the warranty the day the phone is first set up.
You can verify warranty using Apple's official Apple warranty check page or with a dedicated iPhone check tool. Both methods need the serial number (or IMEI for cellular models).
Step 1: Find Your iPhone Serial Number
The warranty is keyed to the serial number, not the IMEI (though cellular iPhones also have an IMEI that works on most checkers). Find it in any of these ways:
- Settings: Settings > General > About > Serial Number
- Dial code: Dial
*#06#to see the IMEI (use it on IMEICheck) - Box: Printed on the barcode label of the original box
- iTunes/Finder: Connect to a computer and click the device name
- iCloud: Sign in at icloud.com, open Find Devices, select the iPhone
Long-press the serial number in Settings to copy it, then paste it into the checker.
Step 2: Use Apple Check Coverage (Official)
Apple's official tool is at checkcoverage.apple.com. Here is how to use it:
- Open checkcoverage.apple.com in a browser
- Enter the serial number of the iPhone
- Complete the captcha
- Click Continue
The result page shows:
- Valid Purchase Date: Confirms the iPhone was activated
- Telephone Technical Support: 90 days of free phone support, with expiration date
- Repairs and Service Coverage: 1-year limited warranty, with expiration date
- AppleCare+: Whether AppleCare+ is active and its expiration date
If the page says "Please validate your product purchase date," the iPhone has never been activated β which on a used phone is a red flag that it may be a demo unit or was never officially sold.
Step 3: Use an IMEI / Serial Number Checker
The Apple page only shows warranty expiration, not the activation date or full device report. For a richer report (activation date, original carrier, country of sale, iCloud status), use a dedicated checker like IMEICheck or the iPhone IMEI check service.
This is especially useful for verifying a used iPhone before buying, because it returns:
- Activation date and remaining warranty days
- AppleCare+ status
- Original sale country (some iPhones are region-locked)
- Carrier lock status
- iCloud Activation Lock status
- Refurbished / replacement unit flag
How Long Is the iPhone Warranty?
| Coverage | Duration | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Phone support | 90 days | Calls to Apple Support |
| Limited warranty | 1 year | Manufacturing defects (not drops or water) |
| AppleCare+ | 2 years (monthly option extends) | Defects + 2 accidental damage incidents (deductible applies) |
What AppleCare+ Covers
AppleCare+ is Apple's extended warranty. For iPhones it extends coverage to two years from the original purchase date and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 24 months, each subject to a deductible (screen damage around $29, other damage around $99). It also covers battery replacement when the battery holds less than 80% of original capacity.
You can buy AppleCare+ within 60 days of iPhone purchase, and Apple may run a remote diagnostic to confirm the device has no pre-existing damage. You cannot add AppleCare+ after 60 days.
How to Verify a Used iPhone Warranty
When buying a used iPhone, follow this sequence:
- Ask the seller for the serial number or IMEI before meeting
- Run it through checkcoverage.apple.com to confirm the warranty expiration
- Run it through the IMEICheck report to confirm the activation date, iCloud status, and carrier lock
- Compare the activation date to what the seller claimed
- Make sure the seller signs out of iCloud and turns off Find My before you pay
A common scam is for a seller to claim "still under Apple warranty" when the warranty actually expired a year ago. The Apple page will reveal this instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does iPhone warranty start?
The iPhone warranty starts on the day the phone is first activated by connecting to a cellular or Wi-Fi network during setup, not on the day you buy it from the retailer. If you buy a new iPhone and keep it sealed for three months, the warranty does not start until you actually activate it. This is why Apple asks for proof of purchase if the activation date looks wrong.
How do I check AppleCare+ status?
Go to checkcoverage.apple.com, enter your iPhone serial number and the captcha, and the result page shows whether AppleCare+ is active, the expiration date, and the remaining days of coverage. Alternatively, open Settings > General > About > AppleCare Services on the iPhone, or open the Apple Support app, which displays the coverage status for the signed-in device.
Can an expired iPhone still be repaired?
Yes, but you pay out of pocket. Apple Stores and Authorized Service Providers will still repair an out-of-warranty iPhone, you simply pay the full repair price instead of the subsidized warranty price. You can also use third-party repair shops, but they may void any future Apple service eligibility. Battery and screen replacements are the most common out-of-warranty repairs.
Is iPad warranty the same as iPhone warranty?
Yes, the warranty mechanism is identical. Apple provides one year of limited warranty and 90 days of phone support for iPad, with optional AppleCare+ extending coverage to two years with accidental damage protection. The serial number is checked the same way at checkcoverage.apple.com. Wi-Fi-only iPads do not have an IMEI, so use the serial number instead.
Conclusion
Checking iPhone warranty takes 30 seconds: find the serial number in Settings, enter it at checkcoverage.apple.com, and read the expiration date. For a used iPhone, pair the Apple page with an IMEI checker to confirm activation date, iCloud lock, and carrier status before paying. This combination catches most used-iPhone scams in seconds.