How to Verify iPhone Warranty Status
Apple's iPhone warranty is one of the most misunderstood aspects of iPhone ownership. Many buyers assume their phone has a year of coverage, do not realize the warranty has already expired, or do not know whether they have AppleCare+ active. Sellers in the secondary market sometimes misrepresent warranty status — claiming active coverage on a device whose warranty lapsed years ago. Our iPhone Checker provides an instant warranty status lookup using the serial number or IMEI, returning the exact coverage type and expiration date from Apple's database. This guide explains what the warranty covers, how to check it, and what your options are when coverage expires.
Apple's Warranty Coverage: What Is and Is Not Covered
Apple provides two tiers of warranty coverage for new iPhones: the standard one-year limited warranty that comes with every device, and the optional AppleCare+ extended coverage plan. Apple One-Year Limited Warranty covers: hardware defects in materials and workmanship that arise under normal use. This includes: defective display (not cracked — defective, meaning pixels fail without physical damage), battery defects (not degradation from normal use — defects where the battery fails prematurely without the expected degradation pattern), microphone and speaker failures, camera failures, button and port failures from defects (not physical damage), and software issues directly attributable to hardware defects. The one-year warranty does NOT cover: accidental damage (cracked screens, dropped devices, liquid damage), normal wear and tear, cosmetic damage, problems caused by unauthorized modifications, theft or loss, or damage caused by non-Apple accessories. AppleCare+: Purchased separately (pricing in 2026: $9.99/month or $199 for two years for iPhone 15 Pro Max), AppleCare+ extends the warranty period and adds accidental damage coverage. Under AppleCare+, screen damage repairs cost $29 and other accidental damage repairs cost $99, instead of the full out-of-warranty repair price ($329+ for screen on Pro Max, $549+ for other damage). AppleCare+ also includes 24/7 priority access to Apple technical support and theft and loss coverage (with a $149 deductible) in most regions. Battery coverage nuance: The one-year warranty covers a battery that has failed defectively. Apple also has a separate service policy: any iPhone battery that degrades below 80% capacity before 500 charge cycles qualifies for replacement under warranty regardless of the one-year period. After one year without AppleCare+, battery replacement costs $99 at Apple Service (as of 2026). Liquid damage and warranties: Liquid contact indicators (LCIs) are Apple's mechanism for determining warranty eligibility after a repair request. If the LCI shows activation (red or pink), Apple will not repair the device under warranty. The presence of liquid damage does not automatically void the entire warranty for unrelated hardware issues, but in practice, Apple often denies warranty claims on devices with activated LCIs.
How to Check iPhone Warranty Status
There are three reliable methods for checking iPhone warranty status, each providing slightly different detail levels. Method 1 — Our iPhone Checker (recommended for pre-purchase checks): Enter the serial number or IMEI. The tool returns the exact coverage type (Limited Warranty, AppleCare+, or Expired) and the coverage expiration date directly from Apple's database. This is the fastest method for buyers verifying a device before purchase, as it does not require owning the device or having an Apple ID. Method 2 — Apple's Coverage Check website: Go to checkcoverage.apple.com and enter the serial number. Apple's page shows the coverage status with a simple active/expired indicator and the expiration date. This is Apple's official channel and returns the most current status directly. Method 3 — iPhone Settings: On a device you own and have activated, go to Settings > General > About > Limited Warranty. On iPhones with AppleCare+, the AppleCare+ section shows the plan details and expiration. This method requires owning and having access to the device. Method 4 — Apple Support app: Download the Apple Support app from the App Store. Sign in with your Apple ID. Your registered devices appear with their coverage status. For devices not linked to your Apple ID, you can enter a serial number manually. What the warranty status tells you for used purchases: — Active Limited Warranty (unexpired): The phone is still within its original one-year warranty. Apple will repair hardware defects at no charge. The purchase date implied by the warranty expiry date should match what the seller says about the phone's age. — Active AppleCare+: Valuable add-on. The buyer either inherits the plan or the seller should transfer it. AppleCare+ is transferable — the plan follows the device's serial number, not the owner's Apple ID. — Expired warranty: Normal for phones over one year old. Out-of-warranty repair pricing applies.
AppleCare+ Transfer and Value When Buying Used
An iPhone with active AppleCare+ coverage is worth more than an identical phone without it, and understanding how AppleCare+ transfer works helps you accurately value and negotiate used iPhone purchases. Is AppleCare+ transferable? Yes. AppleCare+ coverage follows the device's serial number, not the original purchaser's Apple ID. When an iPhone with active AppleCare+ changes hands, the new owner inherits the remaining coverage automatically. The coverage is confirmed by the serial number lookup — if the lookup shows AppleCare+ active, the coverage is available to whoever owns the phone. Adjusting the purchase price for AppleCare+: Calculate the remaining value of the AppleCare+ coverage when negotiating a price. If a phone has 14 months of AppleCare+ remaining at $9.99/month, that is approximately $140 of remaining coverage value. Alternatively, if the new owner would choose to add AppleCare+ to a phone without it, the cost of purchasing it (only available within 60 days of the iPhone purchase date) should inform the valuation. Note on AppleCare+ and used phones: After the original purchase date, Apple no longer allows new AppleCare+ plans to be added (the window is 60 days from the original purchase date). A used iPhone that is more than 60 days old cannot have a new AppleCare+ plan added. This means that active AppleCare+ on a used phone is particularly valuable because it cannot be replicated once the coverage lapses. AppleCare+ changes in recent years: Apple shifted AppleCare+ from a two-year plan to a monthly subscription model in some markets. Monthly plans continue indefinitely as long as the subscription is paid. When you buy a used phone with monthly AppleCare+, the plan is still linked to the previous owner's payment method — they will need to cancel their subscription to avoid being charged. You would then be without coverage. For used purchase purposes, focus on prepaid AppleCare+ plans (with a definite end date) rather than monthly plans when assessing the inherited value.
Out-of-Warranty Repair Options and Pricing
When an iPhone's warranty has expired and it needs repair, understanding your repair options helps you make cost-effective decisions. Apple Authorized Service: Apple retail stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) perform out-of-warranty repairs at set prices. Apple's out-of-warranty service pricing (2026 approximate figures): Screen replacement — $229–$329 depending on model. Other damage (water damage, back glass, button failures) — $349–$599 depending on model and damage. Battery replacement — $99 for all iPhone models. These prices include genuine Apple parts and Apple's quality guarantee. Third-party repair shops: Non-authorized repair shops typically charge 30–60% less than Apple for the same repair, using either genuine Apple parts obtained through secondary channels or high-quality third-party parts. Quality varies significantly between shops. Shops using Apple's Independent Repair Provider (IRP) program have access to genuine Apple parts and calibration tools, giving them a quality level close to Apple's own service. Non-IRP shops may use parts that technically work but do not restore all functionality — particularly relevant for Face ID (which requires calibrated components) and True Tone display (which requires original panels or specific calibration). Self-repair: Apple's Self Service Repair program (available in the US, EU, and select other markets) allows consumers to purchase genuine Apple parts and rent specialized repair tools to perform repairs themselves. Available repairs include screen, battery, and camera replacements on supported models. This option suits technically capable users who want to save money while using genuine parts. Insurance-based repair: Home contents insurance in many countries covers accidental damage to electronics. Check your policy. The deductible and replacement value calculation vary significantly between policies. Filing a claim for a cracked screen may not be worthwhile if the deductible exceeds the repair cost, but for major damage (dropped in water, run over by a car), insurance may be the most cost-effective path.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I check if AppleCare+ is active on an iPhone I just bought?
- Enter the serial number in our iPhone Checker or at checkcoverage.apple.com. The result will show whether AppleCare+ is active and the coverage expiration date. If AppleCare+ is shown as active, the coverage applies to whoever currently owns the device — Apple does not require an ownership transfer registration. You can verify the coverage directly by contacting Apple Support with the serial number, and they will confirm your repair eligibility.
- Can I add AppleCare+ to a used iPhone I just bought?
- Only if the iPhone was purchased less than 60 days ago (from the original purchase date — not from when you bought it second-hand). AppleCare+ enrollment requires the device to be within this window and to pass a diagnostic check showing the device is in good working condition. If the phone is more than 60 days from its original purchase date (which is the case for almost all used iPhones), AppleCare+ cannot be added. This is why active AppleCare+ inherited with a used phone purchase is valuable — it cannot be replaced after it expires.
- Does an expired warranty affect the iPhone's functionality?
- No. Warranty status affects your repair and service options, not the device's operation. An iPhone with an expired warranty works identically to one under warranty. The only difference is that if a hardware issue arises, you pay out-of-warranty repair prices rather than receiving a free repair. An expired warranty is expected and normal for any iPhone more than one year old, and it does not indicate anything negative about the device's condition or remaining useful life.