When does iPhone warranty start.

The warranty clock started ticking the day it was originally sold by Apple or an authorized retailer.

The activation date is irrelevant.

You bought a used/gray market phone from an unauthorized source.

Return it and get your money back.

There are absolutely NO Apple authorized sellers on eBay.

Shark257 wrote:

I’ve bought a new sealed iPhone 16 pro from eBay, when I received the phone I contacted Apple support with the serial number to find out what warranty was left on it, they told me the phone is out of warranty and was likely purchased over a year ago. They also said that I would need to activate the iPhone to confirm this though. I’ve not done this yet because if I open the phone I can’t return it to the seller if need be.

my question is when does the warranty start? When I search this up I get mixed answers some say on activation date and other say on purchase date.

thanks.

If you want a phone with Warranty, return it. Sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Offerup, etc., are the absolute WORST places you can purchase an iPhone from. ONLY buy from Apple or Apple Authorized Sellers.

This link is a cautionary warning --> The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community

Shark257 wrote:

The iPhone 16 pro is sold out everywhere, I literally had no choice. If I could walk into an authorised reseller and get the phone I would do it.

OK. I liked my 16 Pro Max. But I LOVE my 17 Pro Max. If the 16 Pro is the must have phone for you, then you'll just have to accept that the one you bought has NO warranty with Apple and you'll be responsible for any repairs if something goes wrong. That's a decision you'll have to make.

Read this support article about how to check the coverage --> View Coverage - AppleCare & Warranty

It doesn't matter who purchased the iPhone. If there's any warranty coverage that will be it.

The main risk in purchasing from eBay is if the seller did not properly reset the iPhone for resale. In that case you might likely run into Activation Lock and be in a real mess. This article mentions the things that should have been done, particularly removing any account from Find My. What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

While a warranty is useful, you bought a used device even if the seller never actually used it. Your warranty is likely to be limited in duration. You likely will never actually need to use it. You hopefully got a good deal on the iPhone so regard having a limited or no warranty as part of that.

you got it from eBay. By definition it is not "new". It stopped being "new" when it was sold by Apple or an authorized retailer.

It's correct you can't buy one "new" any more. That's because it's discontinued.

You could purchase a refurbished device directly from Apple if they have any available. those come with a full one year warranty from Apple just like a new device.

If the phone was "new", you would have a one year warranty on the phone from the date that you purchased the phone.

So tell us....why does your phone have no warranty?

With no warranty, you deserve at least a 25-30% price adjustment on the phone. Contact the seller to get your money back for the warranty that you purchased, but did not receive.

Shark257 wrote:

• They told me they purchased it for their business through 02 and the phone is already paid off. Sounds like they bought it over a year ago though.

im not sure what to do, there willing to return the phone but I have to decide soon.

He told me the phone warranty would be running out in March next year which I could live with, because if there is any issues out of the box I would be covered. If I activate the phone and there is any issue with the phone I would need to pay for it now.

I also found this online

Apple’s 1-year limited warranty begins on the original date of purchase from Apple or an Apple-authorized retailer.

If Apple doesn’t have the exact purchase date on file, it may default to the first activation date (when the iPhone was first turned on and set up).

Apple can default to first activation date if they don’t have a purchase date.

Your problem is that Apple DOES have the exact purchase date and that is when the warranty is started. That purchase date is determined when it was purchased from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller. Anyone that buys a phone and holds onto it for a year is going to find that the warranty is now over when they activate the phone.

Your choice now is whether you want to take that risk which should be accompanied with a drastic reduction in price or simply return the phone and purchase one from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller. The iPhone 16 Pro has been discontinued, so you will not find a new model for sale by Apple, although Apple does sell refurbished phones that come with a warranty.

The problem you found is because you purchased the device on a third party site and I don't know anyone that would even recommend that approach unless you have money to throw away or are willing to take a risk.

same as with to the best of my knowledge, the time all warrenties of all purchases you make, at the time of purchase.

but you are not speaking to apple here

these forums are user helping other users like yourself, it's sort of going

to a physical apple store and asking other customers their advice

if you want 100% verification from apple then try their official support channels 

Get Support (apple.com)

And or

Contact - Official Apple Support

And or

Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

Or

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Shark257 wrote:

They’re not available yet on the refurbished store there is only 15 pro. Money is a non issue for me unfortunately getting this phone now requires a risk.

I think the question is this. Which is more important to you, a phone that comes from a trusted source and has a warranty? Or a phone that you like the look of? No one else can answer that for you.

Personally, I find that the part of the phone I look at, the front, looks pretty much the same on the 17 Pro as my 15 Pro. I have a case on it, which makes the section where the lenses are less noticeable, I guess. But I almost never look at that side anyway.

The warranty would have started on the first day of purchase. This would indicate that the eBay seller purchased the phone from Apple or an authorized retailer, approximately 1 year ago.

So they gave you inaccurate information regarding the warranty. In other words, they lied.

Return it and get your money back.