The Complete Guide To iPhone Warranties

Is your iPhone broken, and want to get it fixed for free? Maybe you don’t have your original receipt with you but still want to get your iPhone repaired? What does Apple’s standard warranty cover?

Hello! I’m Dillon, the Tech guy, and in this article, I’m going to talk about iPhone warranties and how you can claim them.

Maybe your new iPhone came in defective, and you look forward to replacing/repairing it; then I’m here to help.

Do I Need a Receipt for the iPhone Warranty?

You wouldn’t need a receipt if you bought an iPhone directly from Apple. Apple checks your iPhone’s warranty due to its serial number to check if it’s eligible for repair and warranty.

Apple highly encourages you to keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device. It is because you may need it to provide additional evidence that you’re the owner of the device, the date of purchase of your Apple device, and generally have a complete copy of your device’s records. However, you can easily find your receipt via doing the following.

For a complete guide on Apple receipts and how they work, please read my detailed article.

How To Find Apple Receipt

1. Open Safari or any web browser and go to https://reportaproblem.apple.com/
2. Complete the login process, and after that, the purchase history will appear.
3. From there, select the Last 90 days option.
4. Select the date range in which you had purchased the product.
5. Tap or click on that product which will open the invoice.
6. On the bottom left-hand side of the invoice popup, you’ll see the Resend option.
7. Click resend, which will show you the notification the invoice has been sent to your email address.

Apple doesn’t necessarily ask you for a receipt for their warranty service. Their warranty is based on the eligibility of your serial number to get a warranty repair. 

If your iPhone breaks, you need to follow a warranty process set by Apple. Usually, you’re required to send your iPhone to a local Apple store, and an Apple technician will look into your device. Unless AppleCare currently covers your device, the Apple technicians diagnose your device and check to see if Apple’s warranty conditions cover it or not.

Apple technicians are very strict with their diagnostic sessions. If your iPhone got broken because accidentally you spilled some water or broke its screen, then it’s not going to get any repair or replacement, especially if your device is not subscribed to any AppleCare+ plans.

You can go through several processes to find information about your warranty or AppleCare plan. It includes information if your device is currently covered by an AppleCare plan, when your device coverage will expire, and where you can get the agreement number or proof of coverage over your devices.

Can I Claim an iPhone Warranty Without a Receipt?

You can claim an iPhone warranty without a receipt, as iPhone warranties work via the iPhone’s serial number. However, you need a receipt if Apple says the device is out of warranty and you know there is still time left on the warranty.

Visit an authorized Apple Service Center. They will track your warranty coverage through the serial number that’s tied to your iPhone, all you need to do is send them the iPhone itself or give them the serial number on your iPhone, and they’ll check it by themselves online and get your device fixed up for free.

However, some instances require you to have a receipt. For example, suppose your device is locked, and you’re looking to go to an Apple service center. In that case, they might ask you for the OR (Original Receipt) to check if you indeed are the owner of the iPhone or any Apple device that needs recovery.

Replacing your iPhone’s battery is known as a secret tip to make your iPhone as good as new but is it worth the premium Apple charges? Discover the facts for yourself in my article.

Do You Need Proof of Purchase for the iPhone Warranty?

No. All you need is your iPhone’s serial number to prove it’s within the one-year warranty period (1-year after the date of purchase). The warranty is tied with the iPhone. But if Apple does not provide the warranty service in your country, you may need to provide documentation (purchase receipt) to validate your iPhone warranty.

You don’t need proof of purchase to claim a warranty for your iPhone; the warranty follows the iPhone, not the receipt you receive upon purchase.

The only time when you need proof of purchase for your iPhone warranty is when the Apple service center claims that you don’t have time left for your warranty period, which doesn’t happen very often. However, if you know that your device still has time left, you may need to provide a receipt or proof of purchase.

It can also work for cases regarding account recovery with your Apple ID or any other login complications that you may be experiencing with your Apple device. To make sure that the device isn’t stolen, you need to bring your proof of purchase with you to claim the warranty.

Have any more queries about Apple IDs, how they work, and why they’re essential? Try checking out my Complete Guide to iPhone & Apple IDs to get all your questions answered.

Let’s dive deeper into Apple’s warranty coverage for their iPhones. What do they cover, and what don’t they cover? It’s essential to take note that Apple has its Standard Warranty and its AppleCare+ plans.

iPhone’s Standard Warranty

What You Get:

• Having a new iPhone automatically means it has a 1-year standard warranty period.
• Coverage for hardware repairs (little-to-no costs) includes a 90-day telephone technical support from an Apple Advisor.

What You Don’t Get:

• The standard warranty doesn’t cover battery issues, normal wear and tear (scratches and dents caused by accidentally dropping them), or if you misplaced or get your iPhone stolen.
• Damages and defects (spilling liquid) on your iPhone and breaking the screen accidentally.
• If you jailbreak your iPhone or send it to third-party repair services that Apple doesn’t authorize, you no longer are eligible for Apple’s warranty.

AppleCare+ Extended Warranty Plans

What You Get:

• AppleCare+ is an extended warranty program for iPhones, iPods, MacBooks, Apple Watches, and iPads.
• It can give you accidental damage incidents repairs and extends your warranty for over two years. You are subject to receiving two damage incident repairs costing around $29 for screen damage and $99 for any other type of accidental damages.
• Get your iPhone’s battery serviced if it holds only 80% of its original capacity.
• You get 24/7 priority access to Apple Experts via chat or phone to help troubleshoot any issues.

What You Don’t Get:

• If you lose your iPhone or it gets stolen, you won’t be getting a replacement unless you have the AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss ($149 fee per incident of theft and loss).

What Happens if You Don’t Have Proof of Purchase From Apple?

It’s not required to have proof of purchase to claim a warranty from Apple. All you need is your iPhone or Apple device and the serial number tied to that device.

If you lose your proof of purchase, then your options are limited. Here are the things you can do if you don’t have proof of purchase from Apple:

1. Update your proof of purchase – When purchasing Apple devices, NEVER forget to ask for your original receipt. However, you can solve that by contacting Apple Support by phone.
2. Check your service and support coverage – Input your device’s serial number, and you can check your eligibility to claim Apple’s warranty.
3. Check the online purchase date of Apple Device & Warranty Status – Take some additional steps after determining your warranty status and find out the other ways you can check your proof of purchase online.