I’ve been an iPhone user for years, and I’ve seen many models come and go. When I’m buying a used iPhone, or even just checking on an old device I have lying around, one of the first questions I ask myself is, “How old is this iPhone?” Knowing its age is super important. It tells me how much life the battery might have left, how many more software updates it might get, and of course, what a fair price might be if I’m buying or selling.
I used to just guess based on when I thought a certain model came out, but that wasn’t always accurate. I quickly learned there are much more reliable ways to figure out how old an iPhone truly is. I want to share my simple methods with you, based on my own experience, so you can easily figure out the age of any iPhone.
Why Knowing the Age Matters to Me
For me, knowing an iPhone’s age isn’t just about curiosity. It’s practical.
- Battery Life: An older phone usually means an older battery, which will not hold a charge as long as a new one. I always factor this in.
- Software Updates: Apple supports its devices for a long time, but eventually, older models stop getting the latest iOS updates. Knowing the age helps me predict this.
- Performance: Newer apps and games sometimes struggle on really old hardware. I want to make sure the phone can handle what I need it for.
- Resale Value: If I’m selling an old iPhone, knowing its exact age helps me price it fairly.
My Go To Methods for Finding an iPhone’s Age
I’ve found two main ways to figure out an iPhone’s age that are reliable and easy to do. One is quick for a general idea, and the other is super precise.
Method 1: Check the Model Number (Quick and Easy)
This is the first thing I do if I need a general idea of when the phone was released. Every iPhone model has a release year. By finding the model name, you can look up its original release date.
- Go to Settings: On the iPhone, open the “Settings” app.
- Tap “General”: Scroll down a bit and tap on “General.”
- Tap “About”: This section has all the important information about your phone.
- Find “Model Name”: Here, you will see something like “iPhone 12 Pro” or “iPhone SE (2nd generation).”
Once I have the “Model Name,” I do a quick internet search for “iPhone [Model Name] release date.” For example, searching “iPhone 12 Pro release date” tells me it came out in October 2020. This gives me a solid starting point for its age.
Method 2: Use the Serial Number for Activation Date (Most Accurate)
This is my favorite method because it tells you exactly when the iPhone was first activated. This is often more useful than the release date, especially if you’re buying a used phone, as it tells you when its life truly began.
- Get the Serial Number:
- Go to Settings > General > About.
- Find the “Serial Number.” It’s a long string of letters and numbers.
- Write it down carefully. Even one wrong character will give you an error.
- Go to Apple’s Coverage Checker: Open a web browser (on any device) and go to checkcoverage.apple.com. This is Apple’s official tool.
- Enter the Serial Number: Type the serial number you just copied into the box on the Apple website.
- Enter the Security Code: You will see some characters that you need to type into a separate box to prove you are not a robot.
- Submit and See Results: Click “Continue.” The website will then show you information about the iPhone.
- Look for “Repairs and Service Coverage: Active.”
- Just below that, it will say “Estimated Expiration Date.” This date is usually one year from the day the iPhone was first activated.
- To find the activation date: Simply subtract one year from the “Estimated Expiration Date.” For example, if the expiration date is October 26, 2024, the phone was activated on October 26, 2023. This is the exact birth date of your iPhone in terms of its usage!
I’ve used this second method many times, and it gives me peace of mind when buying or selling. It removes all the guesswork. Now, when I see an iPhone, I can quickly tell its age and make an informed decision. I hope these tips help you as much as they have helped me!
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