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How to Verify Your iPad is Genuine: A Step-by-Step Guide

    You’ve got an iPad, but not sure if it’s the real deal? Don’t stress! This guide will show you how to check. No need to be tricked – this guide will help you out. Just follow the steps and you’ll know in no time if it’s genuine!

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    Quick facts: How Can I Check If My Ipad Is Original

  • ✅ All Apple devices come with a serial number – Apple Support (Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201478)
  • ✅ Counterfeit Apple products don’t have a serial number – iFixit (Source: https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/5303/Is+my+iPad+genuine)
  • ✅ Up to $461 million in fake Apple products were seized in 2019 – US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Source: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/major-seizure-counterfeit-apple-products-us-and-hong-kong)
  • ✅ Chinese processors are sometimes used in counterfeit Apple products – MacRumors (Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2019/11/14/counterfeit-apple-products-ice-seizure/)
  • ✅ Look for the Apple logo on the back of the iPad – AppleInsider (Source: https://appleinsider.com/articles/17/08/29/how-to-tell-if-your-apple-device-is-genuine-or-fake)
  • Pre-Purchase Verification

    Pre-Purchase Verification is vital for an authentic Apple iPad. This process verifies whether the device is real, not counterfeited, or stolen. It also inspects potential repair needs before you buy.

    Familiarize yourself with the verification process. This guide shows you step-by-step instructions on how to authenticate Apple iPads:

    1. Double-check the model and serial numbers. These are printed on the back of the device or can be found through Apple software.
    2. Check if your iPad has AppleCare+ or any other warranty. Go to Apple’s website or contact their customer service team.
    3. Research hardware defects related to the iPad you’re buying. Knowing this info helps avoid possible disappointments after you purchase!

    Check the seller’s reputation

    Buying Apple products? Make sure you check the seller’s rep! Choose a reliable source for your purchase. If it’s from a third party, read feedback and reviews from others. Researching the sellers can help stop counterfeit iPads. This is extra crucial for second-hand models. They are likely to be involved in fraudulent activities or hacked devices that haven’t been reset properly.

    To make sure your product is authentic, buy direct from Apple or an authorized reseller. Reduce fraud this way!

    Check the serial number

    Verify your iPad is an Apple product. Check the power adapter and USB cable. Look for the serial number and IMEI/MEID numbers. Find certain features to be sure it’s genuine.

    • The serial number is located on the back. It might be half printed and half etched. Go to Settings > General > About and look for “Serial Number“. Or, turn the iPad upside-down and spot it on the rear case. Make sure the product matches either the etched or printed version.
    • To make sure it’s an Apple product, enter the serial number in Apple’s database. See if it provides a valid result.

    Ensure the device is unlocked

    Before verifying your iPad’s authenticity, unlock it and make sure it is accessible. Enter the passcode if you have one. Otherwise, press the Power and Home buttons together until the Apple logo appears – this is called recovery mode.

    Once your iPad is unlocked, check for signs that indicate if it is genuine. Look at things like serial number and model code. Also, if it has been opened for repairs, use only official Apple parts. Counterfeit parts are easily spotted.

    After Purchase

    Buy your iPad and check it’s genuine. Apple made it easy! Ensure the box and materials are sealed. Genuine products come with a factory seal. If seal is missing or broken, don’t purchase it.

    Switch on the device and connect to Wi-Fi. Go to Settings>General>About and click “Verify My iPad“. This will show if it’s an Apple product. You’ll get a confirmation message and details about the iPad.

    If verification is slow or any of the steps fail, don’t use it. Contact Apple for help.

    Check the Apple logo

    Check your iPad’s back panel for the genuine Apple logo. It should be raised, smooth and centered. If it is not evenly printed or has any rough spots, it may be a fake.

    Some iPads sold in certain countries have logos that show the country of origin. This may be a number, letter, crest or shield. Ensure your logo looks clean and crisp to guarantee it is genuine and not a fake.

    Check the packaging

    When checking if your iPad is real, examine the packaging. If you bought it online, look for an Apple-branded box with the model number on the top. If you bought it in-store, look for security seals and a barcode sticker.

    Look for Apple’s hologram sticker. It has a silver apple logo that reflects light in shades of green when you tilt it. The sticker has a unique serial number, which you can use to verify the purchase with Apple if needed.

    Before buying or opening your device, check for tampering or damage. If something looks suspicious, don’t buy it. Contact Apple and report any concerning information to them.

    Check the physical features

    Verify your iPad is genuine by checking its physical features. Genuine iPads have a distinct look and feel – the aluminum rear shell is smooth, seamless, and precision-engineered. Speaker grills, buttons, ports, and camera bezels match Apple’s high quality control.

    Genuine iPads have a date code imprinted on the back cover. It will be two digits for the year or week, followed by four digits for the other. All these physical attributes signal an authentic Apple product.

    Software Verification

    Software verification is a process to confirm if a device or software app is real and secure. For Apple iPads, the verification process ensures that users are installing legitimate apps and not those with a virus or malicious code. It can involve two steps; check the serial number and use Apple’s official verification tool.

    • Check the serial number printed on the iPad’s back or when plugged into iTunes. If it doesn’t match, it could be cloned and could contain malicious code.
    • Apple has an online tool for validating iPads. It’s called AppleCare Verification Tools. It runs tests on the operating system, apps, and other details specific to the model. If it passes, then the device is real and safe to use.

    Check the operating system

    Verifying that your iPad is genuine is crucial. To do this, go to your device’s “Settings” and then “General.” You’ll find an option called “Software Update.” Select this and install any new updates. This will verify that your iPad is using the latest iOS version for your model.

    Additionally, all iPads should come with an Apple App Store pre-installed. If yours doesn’t have it, it may not be authentic.

    Check the App Store

    To make sure your iPad is genuine, check it can access the Apple App Store. Open the App Store app and look for apps and content from Apple. If everything looks normal, your device is genuine. If you get an error while trying to download an app, something may not be right. Contact Apple support for help.

    Check for system updates

    Before deciding your iPad isn’t real, check it’s up-to-date. To do this, go to Settings, select General, and then Software Update. If updates are available, download and install them. Updates are essential to make sure your device is secure and working properly. They might solve any software or security issues with a model.

    However, if you still feel something is wrong after updating, contact Apple support or the manufacturer for info.

    Apple Support

    Conclusion-How to Verify Your iPad is Genuine: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Apple Support is the official page for all Apple products, like iPads. It helps you check if your iPad is genuine and from an authorized reseller. To do this, look at the box, match the model and serial numbers, and watch out for signs of tampering or forgery. Check the reliability of the reseller and any guarantees.

    Apple Support also offers useful info on features, user guides, troubleshooting tips, and access to customer service representatives. Plus, there are other topics related to iPads, such as:

    • Features
    • User guides
    • Troubleshooting tips
    • Access to customer service representatives

    Contact Apple support for verification

    Want to confirm if your iPad is real? Reach out to Apple Support. Supply them with the serial number and other specifics. Then, they’ll verify and tell you if it’s legit.

    Remember, if you bought it from eBay or another reseller, check if it’s authentic first. In case Apple Support find it fake, demand a refund or replacement from the seller.

    Request an activation lock status check

    Request an activation lock status check. It will confirm the iPad is real and not linked to someone else’s Apple ID. To request:

    • Go to Settings > iCloud and enter the serial number.
    • If activation lock is not enabled, turn it on in Settings > iCloud > Find My iPad. Select ‘On’.
    • If it is already enabled, check Account section in iCloud Settings to see if someone else has logged in with their Apple ID.

    Request a warranty check

    To determine if your iPad is genuine, you should check for warranty coverage. Apple offers One Year Limited Warranty and AppleCare+ extended warranty.

    To request a warranty check, go to the nearest Apple Store or call 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753). You need to provide your serial number so Apple can confirm if the device is covered by a valid warranty. If it is, then you have authenticated it. But if not, then you should investigate further to make sure it’s genuine.

    FAQs about: How Can I Check If My Ipad Is Original

    Q: How can I check if my ipad is original?

    A: To check if your iPad is an original Apple product, you can use Apple’s check coverage tool. Enter your serial number into the tool and if it is a genuine Apple product, it should show as valid. You can also look at the product packaging, as Apple products are packaged in a distinctive way, and check for the Apple logo and other identifying marks.

    Q: What do I do if my iPad is not an original?

    A: If your iPad is not an original Apple product, you should contact the seller to arrange a refund or exchange. You should also report the seller to the relevant authorities to help stop the sale of counterfeit products.

    Q: What is the serial number of an iPad?

    A: The serial number of an iPad can be found on the back of the device, printed in small type. It is also printed on the product packaging, and can be found in the Settings app under General > About.