There’s so much to love about owning an iPhone, provided that it’s working as intended and it hasn’t been damaged. Apple tends to be known for quality and reliability, which is all well and good, but some iPhones may be defective or you may accidentally damage your iPhone shortly after buying it. What can you do to get your iPhone back in top condition?
For many iPhone owners, the first instinct may be to claim damages and take advantage of warranty protection to receive repairs for free or for a nominal cost. How does Apple’s warranty work and how can you check the warranty status of your iPhone?
iPhone warranty protection in the UK
UK consumer laws
All iPhones sold in the UK are subject to consumer laws as per the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This legislation protects consumers by ensuring that products such as iPhones must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and sold as described. Within the expected lifespan of your iPhone, you are entitled to the following protections:
- 30 days: an immediate refund if your iPhone is faulty;
- 6 months: a full refund if your iPhone cannot be repaired or replaced;
- 6 years (England & Wales); 5 years (Scotland): a partial refund if your iPhone does not last a reasonable length of time.
Apple Limited Warranty coverage
In addition to UK consumer laws, Apple provides a Limited Warranty for one year (Statutory Warranty) that covers consumers alongside (but does not supersede) UK consumer laws.
This warranty provides iPhone owners with some peace of mind for any defective or faulty iPhone products sold in the UK as well as 90 days of technical support with Apple and multiple methods of making a claim.
Why it’s essential to know your warranty coverage
Although we might not want it to happen to us, anything could go wrong with an iPhone, including brand new models. Faults and defects, however rare they may be, can be cause for alarm, particularly if you’ve handed over £1,000 or more of your hard-earned money for the latest model.
Warranty coverage is essential for protecting consumers in the UK in the event that these situations arise. If your iPhone is not working as intended, through no fault of your own, you may be eligible for free repairs, refurbishment, or a full refund.
What warranty protection does not cover is accidental damage that results in a cracked screen, improper use of the device causing damage, tampering with internal components to void the warranty, and many other important things. Apple does provide optional AppleCare+ protection that covers many of the most common reasons for iPhone repairs and it may or may not be worth purchasing additional coverage for your iPhone.
We will only consider Apple’s standard Limited Warranty below, although many of the below tips will also yield important information on your AppleCare+ coverage if you have opted in.
1. Check your warranty status on your iPhone
The first method of checking your iPhone warranty status is via your iPhone settings. Here’s how to find your warranty status:
On newer iPhone models
All iPhones using iOS 17.2.1 (iPhone XS to iPhone 15 as of April 2024) can show you your warranty status by following the below steps:
- Open Settings > General
- Tap AppleCare & Warranty
- Find your Apple devices using the same Apple ID and tap Select a device to see its warranty status. By default, your iPhone should be listed at the top.
Limited Warranty is shown for devices with active warranty coverage along with an expiry date.
Coverage Expired is shown if your warranty coverage has elapsed.
On older iPhone models
iPhones using iOS 17.2.1 or earlier (iPhone X and older models) can show you your warranty status as follows:
- Open Settings > General
- Tap About
Limited Warranty is shown for devices with active warranty coverage along with an expiry date.
Coverage Expired is shown if your warranty coverage has elapsed.
2. Apple Check Coverage website
Another convenient method of verifying your warranty coverage is by using Apple’s Check Coverage website. Upon entering your iPhone’s serial number, you will be shown all relevant warranty information for your product.
This may include whether your product is eligible for AppleCare+ extended coverage, if your product has a valid purchase date, whether or not you are eligible for telephone technical support, repairs and service coverage eligibility, and expiration dates for the last two.
Finding your iPhone serial number depends on your iPhone model. Below are the most common methods of finding your iPhone serial number and IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number:
| iPhone model
(includes all variants unless otherwise noted) |
Serial number | IMEI number |
| iPhone 15
iPhone 14 iPhone SE (3rd) iPhone 13 iPhone 12 iPhone SE (2nd) |
Under Settings > General > About
|
Under Settings > General > About |
| iPhone 11
iPhone XS iPhone X iPhone 8 iPhone 7 iPhone 6s iPhone 6s Plus |
Under Settings | Inside SIM tray |
| iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus iPhone SE (1st) iPhone 5 |
Under Settings | Engraved on the back of the device |
| iPhone 3G
iPhone 4 |
Engraved on the back of the device | Engraved on the back of the device and inside SIM tray |
3. Apple Support app
Apple provides product owners with an official App Store app that can help you identify warranty protection and support status for your iPhone. Follow the below steps:
- Download the Apple Support app on your iPhone
- Install the app and proceed through the setup process. Your device’s Apple ID should be automatically detected
- Open My Devices and select your iPhone
- Tap Device Details to see warranty information for your product
Limited Warranty is shown for devices with active warranty coverage along with an expiry date.
Coverage Expired is shown if your warranty coverage has elapsed.
4. Apple My Support website
Much like the Apple Check Coverage website mentioned above, Apple also has a My Support website that provides in-depth information about your iPhone product as well as warranty coverage and support. Here’s how to access Apple My Support:
- Visit the Apple My Support website
- Install the app and proceed through the setup process. Your device’s Apple ID should be automatically detected
- Enter your Apple ID. Note: your Apple ID is the same as your iCloud account and the same email address used when purchasing your Apple device
- Click My Devices and select your iPhone from the list shown to see warranty coverage
5. Check your iPhone invoice/receipt of purchase
If all else fails, you can determine your warranty coverage by referring to the invoice or receipt of purchase issued when you originally bought your iPhone. Provided you have this document on hand, simply subtract the recorded date of purchase from the current date.
If you have owned your iPhone for less than a year, you can take advantage of Apple in-warranty repairs as per the one-year Limited Warranty protection.
If you have owned your iPhone for more than a year, you must either have and use AppleCare+ in-warranty service or seek out-of-warranty third-party repairs from independent technicians covering areas across the UK.
No warranty? No worries! Get reliable iPhone repairs through iTechnician
While it’s great to have access to free iPhone repairs or product refunds through Apple’s Limited Warrant and from UK consumer laws, these mostly cover non-accidental damage such as manufacturing faults and defects.
For the vast majority of iPhone repairs such as cracked screen replacement and battery replacement, it’s often significantly cheaper, faster, and more convenient to seek out-of-warranty Apple repairs.
iTechnician connects you with reputable experts across the UK that can repair your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch at competitive prices.
