With the many models of iPhones, many of us are constantly updating our phones. And whether you want to sell your old iPhone or simply know a little more about what version you have, you will likely want to know how old it is. So let’s find out how to easily check how old your iPhone is. 

To find out how old your iPhone is, you can look at the serial number and use a code to decipher the year your iPhone was manufactured. As well, you can enter the device serial number into Apple’s Check Coverage page (however, this will only tell you when you purchased the phone).

Now, if you want step-by-step instructions on how to not only find the serial number for your iPhone but also how to use it to figure out when the phone was manufactured and even when you bought it, this is the article you were looking for!

How to Find the Serial Number on an iPhone

Before we dive into the detailed instructions on how to find out how old your iPhone is and when you purchased it, you first need to understand how to find the serial number! 

Almost every device these days has a serial number, and on the iPhone, it is a 12-digit numerical and alphabetical sequence that is specific to your phone. 

Now, you can find the serial number on your phone by following these simple directions:

  • Open the Settings menu on your iPhone. Click the option for General. Within the General menu, select the About option. Select the option called Serial Number.

Then, the 12-digit sequence will appear on the screen! From there, you can use the serial number in two ways to find out how old your iPhone is. 

How Old is My iPhone? Using the Serial Number

Realistically, there are two ways to find out how old your iPhone is with the serial number. However, using Apple’s keycode is probably the simplest way. 

When you find the serial number, note the 4th digit in the sequence (it should be a letter.)

It’s important to note that this code does not apply to iPhones manufactured from 2021. So if you have a newer phone, you need to try another way. 

How Old is My iPhone? Using Apple’s Check Coverage Page

The only other option to check how old an iPhone is is to use Apple’s Check Coverage webpage. 

However, it is important to note that this option will not tell you when the phone was manufactured but instead when you purchased it. 

Therefore, if you bought the phone used, this tactic will not actually tell you how old the iPhone is. 

But, if you did buy it new, following these instructions will help you determine how old the iPhone is. 

  • Navigate to Apple’s Check Coverage Page on a web browser. Copy and paste the serial number from the About menu on your iPhone. Enter the CAPTCHA verification code on the screen. On the next page, you will see a section titled Repairs and Service Coverage. Under Estimated Expiration Date, you will see a date. The iPhone is either 1 year older than that date if you have the standard warranty or 2 years older if you opted for AppleCare.

The difficult part about using this option is that it might not show a warranty expiration date if you have already had the iPhone for more than a year. 

In this case, you can try to contact Apple Support staff at 800–692–7753 or online. By giving them the serial number of your iPhone, they might be able to tell you how old your iPhone is.  

Final Thoughts 

So, how old is my iPhone? Hopefully, you know how to answer this one by now! 

But just in case you forgot: You can tell the age of your iPhone by finding the serial number in the Settings menu, looking at the 4th character, and comparing it to Apple’s key code. 

You can also use Apple’s Check Coverage webpage, but that will only be able to tell you when you purchased the phone, not when it was manufactured. 

At the end of the day, you will always need the serial number to find the age of your iPhone, but now you know exactly where to find it!