In Nigeria today, iPhones have become one of the most popular smartphones, loved for their sleek design, sharp camera, and reliable performance.
But recently, many users have begun to worry as fake and “upgraded” iPhones are flooding the market, making it harder to tell which devices are truly original.
Videos of vendors are circulating online, boldly claiming they can “upgrade iPhone XR to iPhone 16”, or even turn it into an iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The popular crypto lord, Linus Williams Ifejika, popularly known as Bitcoin Lord, has been advertising such phones, urging people to come and buy.
These claims, although enticing, are simply not possible. You cannot upgrade the hardware of an iPhone XR to match that of a newer model.
Now, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stepped in. The agency recently announced plans to roll out a Device Management System (DMS) that will block fake, cloned, and stolen phones from connecting to mobile networks across the country. Once fully implemented, any phone flagged as unregistered or counterfeit could lose access to calls, data, and SMS entirely.
So how can you tell if your iPhone is original or a cleverly disguised fake? Here’s how to find out.
1. Check the Serial Number on Apple’s Website
Go to Settings → General → About and copy your Serial Number.
Then visit Apple’s official site — checkcoverage.apple.com and paste it there.
If your phone is genuine, you’ll see details such as the model, warranty, and support coverage.
If you get a message saying “invalid serial number,” your phone may be fake or tampered with.
2. Verify the Model Number
Still in Settings → General → About, find the Model Number. Genuine Apple model numbers start with A (e.g. A2111) or M (for retail units).
Search the model number online or on Apple’s official website to confirm it matches your device’s appearance and features.
If the number doesn’t match, your phone looks like an iPhone 13 but the model number belongs to an iPhone XR, it’s likely counterfeit.
3. Use the IMEI Number
Dial *#06# or check under Settings → About to see your phone’s IMEI.
You can verify it on https://www.imei.info or through Apple’s site.
A real iPhone’s IMEI will return complete information about the model, origin, and status.
If the number is invalid or doesn’t match your phone’s details, that’s a red flag.
4. Observe the Build and Feel
Apple is known for flawless finishing.
Original iPhones have tight seams, solid buttons, a smooth glass surface, and a perfectly centred Apple logo.
Fake ones, on the other hand, often have rough edges, lightweight bodies, crooked logos, or loose buttons.
If the design feels “off,” it probably is.
5. Check the Operating System
Genuine iPhones run on iOS — Apple’s software.
Go to Settings → General → Software Update and see if it can detect official iOS updates.
If your phone runs an Android-like system that merely looks like iOS, with missing features or clunky movement, it’s a clone.
6. Test Apple Services
Try using iMessage, FaceTime, iCloud, and the App Store.
If any of these services don’t work or redirect you elsewhere, the phone might be fake.
Apple’s ecosystem only functions properly on authentic devices.
7. Look Out for Fake “Upgrades”
Ignore anyone who claims they can “upgrade” your iPhone XR to a newer model like iPhone 16 or 17 Pro Max.
These so-called upgrades are scams. At best, they change the casing or tweak the software to make it look new.
No hardware shop can change an iPhone’s processor, camera, or logic board to transform it into a newer model.
Owning an iPhone is not just about the name, it’s about the quality, performance, and security that comes with a genuine Apple product.
So before you pay for that “too-good-to-be-true” deal or believe that your old XR can become a 17 Pro Max overnight, take a moment to verify.
It could save you your money, your data, and soon, your mobile network access.
