Have you ever wondered how long you’ve had your iPhone? Knowing this information can be helpful, especially when considering an upgrade, selling your device, or even to simply fulfill your curiosity.
In the following sections, we’ll outline several techniques that can help you determine how long you’ve owned your iPhone. So, let’s dive right in!
Method 1: Finding iPhone Purchase Date Via Apple ID
A direct method to check the coverage and ownership information of your iPhone is by visiting mysupport.apple.com. Signing in with your Apple ID and selecting your device will provide details such as coverage expiration dates, which can give you a good indication of the duration of your iPhone ownership.
Method 2: Find the Purchase Date Using Your Serial Number
- Open your iPhone’s “Settings” app.
- From here, select “General.”
- In the “General” menu, tap “About.”
- Scroll down until you see “Serial Number.”
Once you have your serial number navigate to Apple’s “Check Device Coverage” page and simply input the device’s serial number. Once complete, you’ll be able to see your device’s purchase date.
Method 3: Understanding Apple’s Serial Number System
Your iPhone’s serial number carries more information than you might think. It actually contains details about your device’s manufacturing date. However, this information is encoded, and you’ll need to know how to decipher it.
The key is the fourth character in the serial number. This single letter indicates the time period when your iPhone was made. Each letter stands for a specific half of a year, with one letter for the first half (January to June) and another for the second half (July to December).
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- 2010: ‘C’ is for the first half, and ‘D’ is for the second half
- 2011: ‘F’ and ‘G’
- 2012: ‘H’ and ‘J’
- 2013: ‘K’ and ‘L’
- 2014: ‘M’ and ‘N’
- 2015: ‘P’ and ‘Q’
- 2016: ‘R’ and ‘S’
- 2017: ‘T’ and ‘V’
- 2018: ‘W’ and ‘X’
- 2019: ‘Y’ and ‘Z’
- 2020: ‘D’
As you can see, the pattern is clear up until 2020, when ‘D’ appears again. ‘D’ was initially used for the second half of 2010.
Nonetheless, it’s crucial to note that this decoding technique only works for products made before 2021. After this year, Apple changed its serial number structure, which means that the above method no longer applies to the newer models.
Method 4: Determining Your iPhone’s Age Through Your Service Provider
- Check Your Provider’s Account: If you purchased your iPhone through a service provider, you should be able to check the purchase date by logging into your account on your provider’s website or through their mobile app. Look for a section that deals with your device or your purchase history. The specific steps can vary depending on the provider, so you may need to browse around a bit or contact customer service for help.
- Receipt or Email Confirmation: If you have kept the receipt or the email confirmation for the phone purchase, it should have the date of purchase on it.
- Check Your iPhone Settings: Apple generally keeps a record of the first time an iPhone is activated. You can get an idea of how old your iPhone is by going to Settings > General > About > Limited Warranty. This will show you the date your iPhone was activated, which is typically close to the date you purchased it.
- Contact Customer Service: If you can’t find this information yourself, you can always call your service provider’s customer service. They should be able to look up the date of purchase in their system.
Method 5: Order Confirmation Emails
Another way to find out how long you’ve had your iPhone is by checking the order confirmation emails from Apple. These emails typically contain the purchase date of your iPhone. Follow these steps:
- Open your preferred email app on your iPhone or computer.
- Search for emails from Apple, which might include keywords like “Apple Order,” “Invoice,” or “Receipt.”
- Locate the email confirming the purchase of your iPhone.
- Check the date mentioned in the email, which should be the purchase date of your iPhone.
Method 6: Apple Store App
Last but not least, if you’ve purchased any apps shortly after getting your iPhone, you can use the purchase history on your device to approximate how long you’ve owned it. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
- On the Apple ID screen, tap on Media & Purchases option.
- From the popup menu, tap on View Account.
- Authenticate with Touch ID/Face ID/Passcode.
- Scroll down and tap on Purchase History.
Now, you can view a list of all the apps you have purchased along with the bill. If you want to view the purchase history from an older date, tap on Date Range and select your desired date.
Method 7: Checking the Battery Health
The Battery Health sub-section won’t give you a date, but it might offer a clue about the age of your iPhone. Over time, your iPhone’s battery will degrade, and this process is influenced by the amount of time you’ve owned and used the device.
To check your iPhone’s battery health, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone
- Scroll down and tap on Battery
- Tap on Battery Health
The Battery Health screen will display the Maximum Capacity percentage, which represents the battery’s capacity relative to when it was new. A lower percentage indicates that your iPhone has been in use for a more extended period.
Additionally, the Peak Performance Capability provides information about your iPhone’s battery performance. If the Peak Performance Capability states that your iPhone is “currently supporting peak performance,” it may indicate that your device is not very old or perhaps had its battery replaced recently.
Keep in mind that these indicators are not definitive and only offer an estimation of your iPhone’s age. The Battery Health information should be used as a rough guide and may not provide the exact age of your device.
Contacting Apple Support
Apple Support is available to answer your questions and help you determine how long you’ve had your iPhone. You can contact them through various channels depending on your preference and needs.
First, you can visit the official Apple Support website, where you can access live chat, schedule a call, or find answers to common questions. This can be a quick and efficient way to get information about your iPhone and the length of time you’ve owned it.
