How to retrieve a serialnumber and IMEI from a dead iPhone?

Question

RalfFerdius Author

Level 1

3 points

How to retrieve a serialnumber and IMEI from a dead iPhone?

So,

without using ´Settings->About->Info´.

without having the original packaging, proof of purchase,a letter or e-mail with this information.

withoutusing iTunes.

Just only the phone itself.

Or can be another way, by using different software?

Most iPhone have reached a certain condition and not able to give a sign of life.

Whole Apple iPhone family/series with any iOS version. Maybe iPad family/series too.

Can somebody help?

Posted on Oct 30, 2015 3:19 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 20, 2015 5:09 PM in response to RalfFerdius

No one said you needed AppleCare. The dklubu mistakenly told you to call AppleCare, but you don't have AppleCare since your device isn't registered, which it would be if you did have AppleCare.

Bottom line, there are three different places where your Serial Number can be retrieved from - your original box, a backup in iTunes, on your Apple Profile. If you have none of those available, then you are just going to have to go to an Apple Store to get your device fixed. This is how business is done in the Apple world. We can do nothing about that. All we can do is provide you with your options. If you don't like it, tell Apple: Apple - Feedback.

That is all there is to say about this. Your opinion about whether it is an acceptable way to do business is irrelevant. The IMEI numbers are used by the Cellular phone industry, but not by Apple. Deal with it.

GB

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 22, 2015 8:54 PM in response to Marshino

You seem to be confused as to what AppleCare is. AppleCare is a product not a service. The AppleCare product extends the service and support coverage for an Apple Device:

https://www.apple.com/support/applecare/

Cheers,

GB

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 23, 2015 5:26 AM in response to gail from maine

gail from maine wrote:

You seem to be confused as to what AppleCare is. AppleCare is a product not a service. The AppleCare product extends the service and support coverage for an Apple Device:

https://www.apple.com/support/applecare/

People do seem to refer to Apple phone support as "AppleCare". Not correct but not an uncommon usage.

Reply

Answer 4

RalfFerdius Author

Level 1

3 points

Oct 30, 2015 4:10 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Only iTunes can create backups from iPhones. No backup is ever created. But this is not the way.

Where can I find the device's IMEI number and serialnumber. Support webpages and other websites do mention about normal methods.

The ´Settings->About->Info´, original packaging, proof of purchase don't contain the right information.

I don't want device gets rejected or make a long way to repair.

Are the IMEI number and serialnumber listed somewhere else. It seems to be inside the iPhone, but I can't find them.

Reply

Answer 5

RalfFerdius Author

Level 1

3 points

Nov 3, 2015 2:15 PM in response to RalfFerdius

There is not much to backup. Can you make backups with other software then iTunes?

It seems contacts are not stored on the simcard?

Still not able to retrieve requested info from died phone.

Made already an attempt to charge it with a different charger connected to power socket and after a half hour still no sign of life.

Why put these info on non-accessible part?

Reply

Answer 6

Nov 5, 2015 2:39 PM in response to RalfFerdius

You mean you NEVER backed up your iPhone to iTunes? If you did, even once, you can get that information from iTunes Preferences, Devices pane. Hover over the name of the backup. If you didn't there is no way to get the serial number.

Reply

Answer 7

RalfFerdius Author

Level 1

3 points

Nov 5, 2015 4:33 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Yes, no backup. This doesn't really matter. Only a few contacts are gone, due they aren't saved on my simcard.

Also backup was made or not, this isn't the way. The question is how to obtain the serialnumber?

Instead of giving the IMEI, what's unique and common used, I need to find the serialnumber from the dead iPhone 6.

Reply

Answer 8

Nov 5, 2015 5:12 PM in response to RalfFerdius

RalfFerdius wrote:

You know, this is really stupid.

Yes, it is really stupid to buy a high end product, not save the receipt or any other paperwork, not save the box, never back up or sync the device, never register the device for support or warranty coverage and never make any effort to record the serial number.

Reply

Answer 9

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,279 points

Nov 5, 2015 5:14 PM in response to RalfFerdius

RalfFerdius wrote:

You know, this is really stupid.

Okay, then I'll take my chances. I will send in the iPhone for repair, possible this can take longer and/or gets rejected.

I'm sorry, what is really stupid? You do not mention sending in anything for repair. Actually you do not indicate what you wanted the serial number for anyway.

Reply

Answer 10

RalfFerdius Author

Level 1

3 points

Nov 9, 2015 3:18 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

It's stupid that Apple need a serialnumber, instead common used IMEI.

Yes, I don't mention sending in for repair. Must I start with this?

Yes, I don't indicate why I wanted the serialnumber. Must I tell you / others this?

Where can you use the serialnumber? Where need you the serialnumber?

Surely not for calling and SMS... To check your warranty and do a repair.

Reply

Answer 11

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,279 points

Nov 9, 2015 3:28 PM in response to RalfFerdius

RalfFerdius wrote:

It's stupid that Apple need a serialnumber, instead common used IMEI.

Yes, I don't mention sending in for repair. Must I start with this?

Yes, I don't indicate why I wanted the serialnumber. Must I tell you / others this?

Where can you use the serialnumber? Where need you the serialnumber?

Surely not for calling and SMS... To check your warranty and do a repair.

Well, Apple uses the serial number to identify devices for warranty purposes. Whether you think it crazy or not, that is a fact. Providing the other information may have made the question make a little more sense. You are correct that you do not need the serial number for calling and SMS, but yes, for warranty status and repair it is necessary. Apple makes the rules. If you send it in without indicating the serial number, you will probably have to wait until they receive it an check the device for them to determine eligibility. You will hear from Apple.

Reply

Answer 12

RalfFerdius Author

Level 1

3 points

Nov 11, 2015 3:36 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Apple makes the rules and change them after a month or even earlier.

A serialnumber is not unique.Apple is deviant, where other brands are using the IMEI.

I don't think that I will hear from Apple about the determination, but from shop or repair service at last.

Reply

Answer 13

RalfFerdius Author

Level 1

3 points

Nov 11, 2015 3:52 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Do you?

You use your new play thing so soon as possible when you get anyone. We don't read all paper included.

There may not be asked for register or we ignore it.

There may not be asked to write down the serialnumber.

There may not be asked to keep original packing box.

It's a new iPhone, why now wondering about a possible repair and warranty coverage?

No, just charge and use.

Reply

Answer 14

RalfFerdius Author

Level 1

3 points

Nov 11, 2015 4:43 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Yes about the concept. Brands A, B, C, ect are using IMEI.

Apple is deviant about this and uses serialnumber, but doesn't always complete the hardware ID. Both will used together.

As I said in beginning from this post:

Serialnumbers don't appear on backside from most iPhones.

An IMEI is shown on backside most iPhones, except 4 series/family and last in 6 series/family.

Serialnumber seems to be somewhere inside the iPhone

Reply

Answer 15

RalfFerdius Author

Level 1

3 points

Nov 16, 2015 4:45 PM in response to TheSnapDude

Please, start and read at begin from this post.

The question is: Where can I the serialnumber from an iPhone, if you don't have original package box or salesbox, any proof of purchase and without iTunes.

A serialnumber is more needed then an IMEI. Serialnumberis not visible on the device itself, like on backside.

Serialnumberis unaccessible andsomewhere inside an iPhone. To keep them on simtray like by iPhone 4 is a bad idea, due forgetting the simtray.

Reply