How to Check Parts and Service History on a Used iPhone
When a used iPhone has had a battery, display, or camera replaced, the repair may affect how you evaluate the phone. Apple's Parts and Service History screen provides information about certain replaced components. It does not replace a hands-on inspection, but it gives you a useful question to ask before buying: what was replaced, and what does the iPhone report about that part?
Where to find the repair-history screen
- Unlock the iPhone and open Settings.
- Tap General, then About.
- Scroll down to Parts and Service History, if that section appears.
- Read the name of each listed part and the message next to it. On supported software, tap a part to see any additional available details.
Apple says this section is available with iOS 15.2 or later when the iPhone has a repair it can report. Check the iOS version on the same About screen before drawing conclusions from a missing section. Apple's current Parts and Service History guide is the reference for labels and model support, which can change as new iPhones and software versions are introduced.
What the labels mean
Genuine indicates that the repair used genuine Apple parts and processes. Used indicates that the part had already been used or installed in another iPhone. A used Apple part is not automatically defective; its condition and the quality of the completed repair still need to be assessed. Apple's parts support information explains that support for previously used parts differs by device and component.
Unknown is not a definitive declaration that a part is counterfeit. Apple lists several possible reasons: the replacement is not genuine, is not functioning as expected, has not been verified and linked to the iPhone after repair, or has been modified so it cannot be verified. Ask the seller what work was done and whether there is a repair receipt or warranty. Test the affected feature rather than relying on the label alone.
Unverified concerns a previously replaced logic board. Apple warns that an unverified logic board can affect features such as Apple Pay. Finish Repair indicates that a repair has not completed the required calibration process. Apple says some functions, including Face ID or Touch ID for relevant parts, may be unavailable until that process is completed. For either message, get the issue resolved and retest the phone before committing to the purchase.
Which repairs can you see?
The list depends on the iPhone model. Apple's current table shows battery, display, logic board, front camera, and rear camera information on iPhone 12 models and later. On iPhone 11 models, it lists battery and display. On iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and second- or third-generation iPhone SE, it lists battery information. Not every type of repair appears on every device.
There are also limits to the record. Apple says that if the same part was serviced more than once, only the most recent service appears. A missing section is therefore not a comprehensive certificate that the phone has never been opened or repaired. It may mean there is no repair to show for the parts and software version the device supports. Use the screen as one source of information, alongside the seller's description, documentation, and your own tests.
How to inspect a phone in person
Ask the seller to unlock the phone so you can open About and see the history yourself. Match the model and storage in Settings to the listing. If the iPhone is still signed into someone else's Apple Account, the seller should remove the account and erase the device before transfer. Apple's preowned iPhone checklist says not to buy an iPhone that remains Activation Locked. A repair-history screenshot cannot establish that the phone is ready for a new owner.
If a display is listed, inspect it for uneven brightness, dead areas, colour shifts, and unreliable touch input. Try the brightness slider and check whether True Tone is available and behaves as expected. A missing True Tone toggle can have several explanations; our True Tone guide discusses replacement-screen considerations. Also test Face ID or Touch ID where supported rather than assuming a visible picture means every sensor works.
If the battery is listed, check Battery Health and any service message as a separate step. A genuine replacement label does not tell you today's maximum capacity by itself. Our guide to 80% battery health on a used iPhone explains how to interpret the capacity figure. If a camera is listed, take photos with each available lens in good and low light, test autofocus, and record a short video. Check the microphone and speakers during playback too.
If you are buying online
Request a current photo or short video of Settings > General > About that shows the model, iOS version, and Parts and Service History section if present. The seller can obscure the serial number and other private identifiers. Ask specifically whether the battery, display, cameras, or logic board have been replaced, who performed the work, and whether a repair warranty remains. A vague “fully working” description does not answer those questions.
Review the return policy before ordering, including the time allowed to report a mismatch. On arrival, inspect the phone promptly, compare the screen with the listing, and test the affected parts. Keep the listing and seller's written repair description until you are satisfied with the device. Apple's preowned-iPhone advice also recommends checking physical condition and battery health, not only software labels.
Questions to ask when a part is listed
- Which part was replaced, and when was the work done?
- Was the repair performed by Apple, an authorized provider, an independent provider, or another repairer?
- Is there a receipt or written warranty for the repair?
- Does the phone show Genuine, Used, Unknown, Unverified, or Finish Repair?
- Can you test the affected feature before the return window closes?
A prior repair is not necessarily a reason to reject a used iPhone. The important practical distinction is between a disclosed, completed repair on a working phone and an unresolved message or fault that you cannot evaluate. Complete the usual ownership, battery, and network checks as well. Our carrier-unlock guide covers one of those separate checks.