How to check an iPhone's warranty status before buying a used or refurbished handset

Many people are now choosing second-hand or refurbished iPhones over an expensive new one. The reason is plain: a new iPhone costs more, while a used or refurbished phone is available at a lower price and within budget. Anyone considering such a phone should make sure the device is still under warranty.

Many buyers purchase a second-hand or refurbished iPhone without checking its warranty status. If a hardware problem develops later, they have to spend heavily on repairs. The warranty and AppleCare status should therefore be checked properly at the time of purchase, so that there is no regret later. Here is how to check an iPhone's warranty.

The easiest method is through the phone's settings. First, open Settings on the iPhone. Scroll down and select General. There, tap the AppleCare & Warranty option. All the details of the device will then appear on the screen.

If you or the phone's previous user has signed in to the iPhone with an Apple Account, the screen will also show until when the official warranty or extended plan is valid. This is the simplest way to check the warranty when buying a second-hand or refurbished iPhone.

At times, a buyer does not get the chance to open the settings and check. In such cases, the warranty status can also be checked using the serial number. For this, go to Apple's official Check Coverage website in a browser. A box will appear there, in which the iPhone's unique serial number has to be pasted. The number can be found in the About section of the phone.

After the serial number is entered in the box, a captcha code will appear on the screen. Fill it in and submit. Apple will then show whether the device is under warranty. This method is useful for people who order goods from online marketplaces and want to check a device's warranty before making the payment.