Ever wondered how old your phone really is? Whether you’re thinking about selling it, buying a used device, or simply curious about its age, knowing your phone’s year of manufacture can be surprisingly important. It helps determine warranty coverage, software updates, and even resale value.
In this article, you’ll discover easy ways to find out exactly when your phone was made, including step-by-step instructions and handy tips to make the process simple.
Related Video
How to Check Your Phone’s Year of Manufacture: A Complete Guide
Determining when your smartphone was manufactured isn’t just about satisfying curiosity. It can help when buying or selling a used device, checking warranty status, or troubleshooting issues. The good news is that finding your phone’s year of manufacture is straightforward once you know where to look and what to check.
Let’s explore the most effective ways to uncover your phone’s age, tips to help you along, and answers to the most common questions.
Why You Might Need Your Phone’s Manufacturing Date
Knowing your phone’s age isn’t only a geeky detail. Here are some reasons why it matters:
- Warranty and Support: Most warranties are based on manufacturing or purchase dates.
- Buying or Selling: Proving your phone’s age can affect its resale value.
- Software Compatibility: Some features and updates are only available on recent hardware.
- Recalls or Service Programs: Manufacturers issue recalls for specific production batches.
6 Reliable Methods to Check Your Phone’s Manufacturing Date
There are several ways to pin down when your phone was made. Some are quicker than others; some work better for iPhones, and others for Androids or specific brands. Let’s break them down.
1. Check the Box or Device Label
What to Do
- Find Your Original Box: Look for the phone’s original retail packaging.
- Inspect Labels: Check for a white label or sticker. Look for words like “Manufactured”, “MFD”, “Production Date”, or a date code.
- Device Labels: Some phones have this info printed inside the SIM tray, under the battery (on older models), or on the back.
What You’ll See
- The manufacturing date is usually printed as MM/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY.
- Sometimes, you’ll see a date code you may need to decode.
Benefits
- Very Accurate: This info comes straight from the manufacturer.
- Quick and Simple: No need for online lookups or special apps.
Challenges
- Box Lost or Thrown Away: Not everyone keeps their box.
- Worn Out Label: Over time, labels can fade or peel off.
2. Use the Phone’s Settings Menu
For Android Phones
Many Android devices display their manufacturing dates in the “About Phone” section.
- Open the Settings app.
- Navigate to About Phone or About Device.
- Look for “Manufacture Date” or similar information.
- On some brands (like Samsung), the info might be buried under “Status” or “Hardware Information.”
For iPhones
Apple doesn’t display manufacture dates directly, but you can use the serial number (see below).
Benefits
- No Extra Tools: Everything is already in your phone.
- Works Even Without the Box.
Challenges
- Varies by Brand: Not all phone brands or Android versions show this info.
3. Decode Your Phone’s Serial Number or IMEI
Every phone has a unique serial number and an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code. Both often include production date info—but you need to know how to read them.
How to Find These Numbers
- Dial *#06# on your phone’s keypad to display your IMEI.
- Check in Settings (About Phone > Status or General > About).
How to Decode
For Android Phones
- Samsung: The fourth and fifth digits in the serial number often indicate the year and month of manufacture.
- Other Brands: Each manufacturer may use a different pattern. Search for “How to decode [Your Brand] serial number”.
For iPhones
- Serial Numbers: The third character indicates the manufacturing year, and the fourth and fifth indicate the week (for example, “C” means 2010/2020, with the exact year depending on the model).
- Check Warranty Site: Enter your serial number on Apple’s official support checker to see warranty and estimated production date.
Benefits
- Universally Available: All phones have an IMEI and serial number.
- Works Without Box or Special Tools.
Challenges
- Can Be Tricky: Decoding varies by brand and can be confusing.
- Potential for Error: You need to use a reliable decoding guide.
4. Use Online IMEI or Serial Checker Tools
Several reputable online tools let you enter your IMEI or serial number to receive details about your device, including its production or manufacturing date.
How to Use
- Find your device’s IMEI (dial *#06#).
- Visit a reliable IMEI checking website.
- Enter the number as requested.
- View your phone’s manufacturing date among the results.
Benefits
- Quick and Easy: No manual decoding needed.
- Additional Information: Many services tell you about warranty, carrier, and more.
Challenges
- Privacy Risks: Only use well-known, trusted sites due to sensitivity of your IMEI/serial number.
- Not Always Free: Some in-depth reports may require payment.
5. Use Brand-Specific Codes or Apps
Many manufacturers include special codes that can be entered via the dialer to reveal advanced info.
Common Examples
- Samsung: Dial #12580369# or *#197328640# for detailed device info, including manufacturing date.
- Xiaomi/Redmi: Some models support ##6484## to access hardware test mode, which may show the manufacture date.
- Other Brands: Consult your brand’s user manual or support forums for special codes.
Benefits
- Hidden Tools: Access information not shown in regular settings.
- Quick Access: Just a few taps away.
Challenges
- Varies Widely: Not all phones support these codes.
- May Not Work on Older or Region-Specific Models.
6. Check with the Manufacturer or Carrier
If all else fails, you can contact your phone’s manufacturer or your mobile carrier.
What to Do
- Gather Your Device Info: Have your IMEI, serial number, and purchase details ready.
- Contact Customer Service: Reach out by phone, email, or online chat.
- Ask for Manufacture/Production Date: They can often provide precise info.
Benefits
- Most Reliable: Direct from the source.
- Works Even for Uncommon Models.
Challenges
- Slower: May take a day or two for a response.
- Proof Needed: You might need to prove ownership.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
- Document Your Phone’s Info After Purchase: Take a photo of your device’s box, serial, and labels while new.
- Regularly Back Up Your Information: Having your IMEI and serial numbers stored safely can help if your phone is lost or damaged.
- Beware of Fake Checkers: Only use official or widely accepted IMEI checkers, as sharing your IMEI on dubious sites can lead to privacy or security risks.
- Check Before Buying Used Devices: Always check the manufacture and activation dates before buying a used phone.
- Be Cautious With Hardware Access Codes: Entering incorrect codes or using unofficial apps might void warranties. Use official sources when possible.
Potential Challenges When Checking Your Phone’s Age
- Labels or Packaging Missing: Many people throw away phone boxes or labels fade.
- Software Differences: Not all manufacturers or Android versions show date info in the same place.
- IMEI Decoding Differences: Decoding a serial or IMEI differs by brand and sometimes even by model.
- Counterfeit Devices: Fake or tampered devices may have false information. If results seem suspicious, double-check with official support.
- Locked Devices: Some features (like hardware test modes) may require the phone to be unlocked.
Summary
Discovering your phone’s year of manufacture isn’t complicated if you know where to look. Whether through the original packaging, settings menu, IMEI/serial number decoding, brand-specific codes, or with help from the manufacturer, you have several reliable ways to get this information. Being mindful of privacy and taking proactive steps to record key details when you get a new phone pays off in the long run.
Ultimately, knowing your phone’s age is practical when selling, servicing, or evaluating your device. It empowers you to make informed decisions about updates, support, and value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I quickly check the manufacturing date without the box?
If you no longer have the box, the easiest ways are to look in your phone’s settings (“About Phone” section), decode the serial number or IMEI, or use a trusted online IMEI checking tool.
2. Does the IMEI number reveal the exact manufacturing date?
The IMEI itself doesn’t directly show the date, but it can be decoded—using trusted guidelines—or checked with online tools to reveal manufacturing or activation dates, especially for Android phones.
3. Can I find out when my iPhone was manufactured?
Yes! Though iPhones don’t show the date directly in settings, the serial number includes a code for the year and week of manufacture. You can check this using Apple’s official warranty checker or by decoding the serial manually.
4. Is using brand-specific secret codes safe for my phone?
Generally, dialing manufacturer codes like #12580369# (for Samsung) is safe as they are part of built-in diagnostic tools. However, avoid entering unfamiliar codes or using unauthorized apps, as they might affect your phone or compromise your privacy.
5. Why does the manufacture date matter when buying a used phone?
Knowing the manufacture date tells you how much life might be left in a device, how up-to-date the hardware is, whether the warranty still applies, and helps detect if a seller is misrepresenting the device’s age.
With these methods and tips, you’re well-equipped to find out exactly when your phone was made—and what that means for you as a smartphone owner.
