iPhone Parts & Service History: How to Check

This guide shows you how to check your iPhone’s parts and service history. This feature, built into iOS, tells you whether key components like the battery, display, and camera are genuine Apple parts, and whether they were serviced correctly. You’ll need your iPhone running iOS 15.2 or later, and for some details, your device’s serial number.

What You’ll Need

• Your iPhone (the one you want to check)
• Your iPhone’s passcode (to access Settings)
• An internet connection (for some parts to verify with Apple’s servers)
• Your Apple ID and password (if you need to check service history via Apple’s website)

Step-by-Step

1. Unlock your iPhone and open the Settings app. This is the gray gear icon on your home screen or in your App Library.
2. Tap “General.” It’s usually near the top of the Settings list, below your Apple ID name and above “Accessibility.”
3. Tap “About.” This is near the top of the General menu, typically the first or second option.
4. Scroll down to the “Parts and Service History” section. This section appears only on iPhone XR, XS, and later models (including SE 2nd generation and newer). On iPhones with iOS 15.2 or later, you’ll see a list of components: Battery, Display, and Camera.
5. Check the status next to each part. For each component, you’ll see one of three messages:
   • “Genuine Apple Part”: The part is authentic and was installed by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
   • “Unknown Part”: The part could not be verified as genuine. This can happen if the part was previously used in another iPhone, if it was installed improperly, or if it’s a non-genuine aftermarket part. It may also appear temporarily if your iPhone is offline.
   • “Used Genuine Apple Part”: This appears when a genuine Apple part that was previously installed in another iPhone is now in your device. This is common with parts from Apple’s Independent Repair Provider program.
6. Tap on any part with a warning icon (yellow triangle) for more detail. This will show a message explaining why the part couldn’t be verified, such as “This iPhone has had its display replaced with a part that may not be genuine.”
7. For a more detailed service history (including past repairs), go to Apple’s “Check Coverage” website. Open Safari or any browser and go to checkcoverage.apple.com.
8. Enter your iPhone’s serial number. You can find it on the “About” page in Settings (the same page from step 3), or on the back of the original packaging. You’ll also need to enter the CAPTCHA code to prove you’re not a robot.
9. Click “Continue” and review the information. The page will show your iPhone’s model, the purchase date (if it was registered), and the telephone technical support and repair coverage status. It does not list individual past repairs with dates and parts, but it confirms whether the device is still under Apple’s limited warranty or AppleCare+.
10. For a complete repair history, contact Apple Support. If you need a detailed list of past service events (e.g., a screen replacement in 2023), you’ll need to contact Apple Support directly. They can access the repair records tied to your serial number. You can reach them via the Apple Support app, the website, or by phone.

Common Mistakes

• Looking at the wrong iPhone model: The “Parts and Service History” section is not available on iPhone 6, 7, 8, or X. It only appears on iPhone XR, XS, and newer. If you don’t see it, your phone is either too old or running an iOS version older than 15.2.
• Misinterpreting “Unknown Part”: Seeing “Unknown Part” doesn’t automatically mean the part is fake. It can also mean the part was pulled from another iPhone and not properly paired with your device’s logic board. A genuine Apple part that isn’t paired correctly will show as “Unknown.”
• Confusing warranty status with service history: The “Check Coverage” website shows if your phone is under warranty, but it doesn’t show a log of every repair. It’s a coverage check, not a full service record.
• Ignoring the “Used Genuine Apple Part” message: Some users panic when they see this. It simply means the part is authentic but was previously installed in a different iPhone. It’s not a defect, but it does mean the part wasn’t new when installed in your phone.
• Forgetting to update iOS: If you’re running iOS 15.1 or earlier, the feature won’t be there. Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version to see the full history.

Tips

• Check before you buy a used iPhone: This is the single most useful application. Before purchasing a second-hand iPhone, ask the seller to navigate to Settings > General > About and show you the “Parts and Service History.” A clean slate (all “Genuine Apple Part”) is a strong sign the phone hasn’t been repaired with cheap aftermarket parts.
• Understand what Apple can’t see: Apple’s system only tracks parts that have a serial number or that are paired to the logic board. It cannot tell you if the outer glass was replaced, if the speaker was swapped, or if the battery was replaced with a part that doesn’t have a serial number (some older batteries).
• Use it for warranty claims: If you’re having issues with your battery or display, check this section first. If it shows “Unknown Part,” Apple may refuse warranty service on that specific component, because they can’t verify it’s genuine.
• Screen replacement on iPhone 11 and older: On iPhone 11 and earlier, a third-party screen replacement will trigger a “Unknown Part” message, but it won’t disable Face ID. On iPhone 12 and newer, a non-genuine screen will also cause Face ID to stop working, and the message will be more prominent.
• Battery health still works: Even if the battery is “Unknown,” the “Battery Health” percentage in Settings > Battery > Battery Health will still display. However, the “Peak Performance Capability” message may be disabled.

Troubleshooting

• “Parts and Service History” section is missing: Your iPhone is likely older than the iPhone XR, or your iOS is below 15.2. Update iOS first. If it’s still missing, your model doesn’t support this feature.
• “Unknown Part” appears temporarily: This can happen if your iPhone has been offline for a while. Connect to Wi-Fi or cellular, restart your phone, and wait a few minutes. The status may update to “Genuine Apple Part” after it re-verifies with Apple’s servers.
• You see “Used Genuine Apple Part” but you never had it repaired: This means the phone was previously repaired before you owned it, or the part was swapped during a prior service. It’s not an error; it’s an accurate history.
• The “Check Coverage” website says “Please enter a valid serial number”: Double-check that you’re entering the correct serial number. It’s case-sensitive. You can find it in Settings > General > About, or on the SIM tray (on some models).
• You want to clear the “Unknown Part” message: You can’t clear it from the Settings app. The only way to make it disappear is to have a genuine Apple part installed and properly paired by Apple or an Authorized Service Provider. A third-party repair shop cannot clear this message.
• Face ID stops working after a screen replacement: This is a common issue with aftermarket displays on iPhone 12 and newer. The phone’s TrueDepth camera and the display are paired. You’ll need a genuine Apple display to restore Face ID functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I check my iPhone’s service history without the phone? Yes, partially. You can use the serial number on Apple’s Check Coverage website to see warranty status, but for the detailed parts history, you need the phone itself or to contact Apple Support with the serial number.
2. Does a third-party battery always show as “Unknown Part”? Yes, typically. Unless the battery is a genuine Apple part that was removed from another iPhone and properly installed, it will show as “Unknown.” Some high-quality third-party batteries may not trigger the message if they contain the correct serialization chip, but this is rare.
3. Will my phone stop working if it shows “Unknown Part”? No. The phone will function normally. The message is informational. However, some features like Face ID (on newer models with aftermarket screens) or true-tone display may be disabled.
4. Can I see the repair history for an iPhone I bought from someone else? Yes, if you have the phone. The “Parts and Service History” section shows the current status of parts, not a dated log of repairs. For a full repair log, you’d need to contact Apple Support with the serial number; they may share that with you if you can prove ownership.
5. Does checking this void my warranty? No. Checking this information is read-only and has no effect on your warranty status.
6. What if my iPhone was repaired by Apple, but still shows “Unknown Part”? This is extremely rare but can happen if the repair was done incorrectly, or if the part wasn’t properly paired during the service. Contact Apple Support; they can investigate and may re-service the phone.

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