The vital setting you MUST check when buying a second hand iPhone

Forking out for the latest iPhone can be a costly venture – but opting for a second-hand mobile might not be the savvy cost saving move many might think.

Looking for obvious signs of wear and tear, like chips and cracks, is a good first step when inspecting a potential used model, but there is a vital feature users would be wise to check too.

While the exterior of your new iPhone may appear fine, this setting will help you ensure that everything on the interior is working well too.

All iPhones updated beyond iOS15.2 include a built-in setting, which will tell you if it has genuine parts fitted.

If your second hand iPhone has been tampered with or has any replacement parts, this feature will let you know.

How to check if an iPhone has genuine parts

To check all parts are functioning properly go to the Settings app, scroll down to General and tap About.

If there are any parts which the iPhone does not recognise an ‘Unknown Part’ message will appear under the ‘Parts and Service History’ tab. 

The message will let you know if any parts aren’t functioning correctly and specify what they are.

You can tap the message to find more detail. 

If your iPhone has been serviced and replaced with a genuine apple part it will appear under the Parts and Service History tab

When connected to the internet you can tap onto the part to learn details of the service history

An Unknown Part message will appear if the part isn’t functioning properly or has been replaced with a non-genuine apple part

What functions can I check?

This feature will only work to check certain functions depending on which generation of iPhone you have.

For iPhone XR, XS, XS Max and later you can check if the battery has been replaced. iPhone 11 models will allow you to check battery and display, and for iPhone 12, 13 and 14 you can check the rear system, front and rear cameras, battery and display. 

If a part is replaced with a non-genuine part it may not function properly. 

In a statement Apple said: ‘Visiting a professional repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get a repair.’