Tips and Tricks

• If your iPhone won’t turn off after iOS 18 update, you can force it to restart.
• If you’re still having problems, you can always contact Apple support.

You probably don’t turn off your iPhone often, but when you do, the usual method is to use a button combination and an onscreen slider to restart the device.

But what if that doesn’t work, or your iPhone is frozen and won’t respond to screen inputs? That’s when it’s time to force restart your phone.

Of course, it’s possible there’s a more serious problem. If a force restart doesn’t work, you can always contact Apple support for assistance.

What to do when your iPhone won’t turn off after iOS 18 update

Force restart your iPhone

If you can’t turn your iPhone off on iOS 18, your first option is a force-restart. In most scenarios, this method should get rid of minor software glitch that’s preventing your iPhone from shutting down. Here’s how:

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release the Side button.

During this process, you will see a slider to power off the iPhone. You’re going to want to ignore it and continue holding down the Side button until the screen goes black. At that point, the Apple logo will pop up, and after the restart is complete, the screen will activate once again.

Now, if you do want to shut the ‌iPhone‌ down, you can do so by going to the General section of the Settingsapp, scrolling down to the bottom, and choosing the Shut Down option.

Contact Apple support

If you are still unable to shut down your iPhone, you should contact Apple support for assistance.

If you are making unwanted phone calls or messages on an iPhone to someone, the recipient of these messages may finally decide to block you. But if you genuinely didn’t mean to harass them, you may want to know “can you call someone who blocked you on iPhone?” In this article, I will answer this question.

WHAT TO KNOW

• There are various ways to call someone who blocked your number on iPhone.
• To call someone who blocked your number on iPhone, try hiding your caller ID.
• You can also try calling them using a different number or communication apps.

Can You Call Someone Who Blocked You on iPhone?

If you are blocked, you will not be able to call (regular phone and FaceTime), and your messages won’t be delivered if you are blocked on your iPhone. However, there are still ways to reach them if you really need to call the person who blocked your number. You may want to do this if you think that your number was blocked accidentally or if there is something very important. And, lastly, before proceeding, think carefully if you deserved the blocking. If you deserve it, do not try any of the methods discussed below.

How to call someone who blocked your number on iPhone

1. Dial *67 Before the Number You Want to Call

The simplest way to call someone who blocked your number on iPhone is to add *67to the beginning of the phone number you want to call. If you use this method to hide your caller ID from someone saved in your contacts, you’ll need to make a note of their number (or copy it to the clipboard) first. Then type (or paste) it into the phone app manually, with *67 at the beginning of it.

As an example, if you wanted to block your phone number when calling [555 555 5555](tel:555 555 5555), you’d need to dial *67 [555 555 5555](tel:555 555 5555).

In the UK and Ireland, you need to add 141 to the beginning of phone numbers instead of *67.

When you use *67 to call someone, you will show up as No Caller ID, Private, Blocked, or something similar on their device.

It’s completely free to use *67, and you can use it as often as you like. Of course, you need to dial *67 before any blocked phone call you want to make.

2. Change the Caller ID Settings on Your iPhone

Next, you can try to hide your Caller ID and then try calling them. When you hide your caller ID, you will show up as No Caller ID, Private, or Unknown Number. Therefore, with no number available to block, your call should be immediately picked up at the other end.

Unfortunately, some cell carriers don’t allow you to block your caller ID from your iPhone. If you can’t find the settings below, move onto the next step to find out how to call someone who blocked your number on iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app and scroll down to tap on the Phone option.
2. Tap Show My Caller ID, then turn off the toggle to hide your number.

3. Call The Person Using Another Phone Numbers

Another method you can try is calling that person from a different phone number. Borrow someone else’s phone and dial that person’s number.

4. Call them using another communication apps

Finally, you can call them using communication apps like Facebook Messenger, Skype, Instagram, or Whatsapp. Third-party communication apps are not affected by the iOS blocking. However, these apps also offer their own blocking features, and you may be blocked in these too. For this to work, however, the recipient must also be using the app, and you must not be blocked in these apps too.

Now You Know the Truth

With the methods listed above, you can easily call someone who blocked you on iPhone.

Fake iPhones are widespread. We explain how to identify a fake iPhone 14 Plus and make sure you’re buying the real thing

How can I tell if an iPhone 14 Plus is fake? I don’t want to spend money on a counterfeit phone that won’t work properly.

There are lots of telltale signs that any product has not been made by Apple, and the iPhone 14 Plus – which has seen more than its fair share of fakes – is no exception.

QUICK ANSWER

• The best way to tell if your iPhone 14 Plus is fake is by entering it’s serial number into Apple’s "Check Coverage" website.
• This website will tell you if the iPhone is registered in Apple’s system, which all real iPhones are.
• You should also look for typos on the packaging and check if the phone is running iOS.

Did you find a deal on an iPhone 14 Plus that feels too good to be true? Chances are it probably is—you can find fake iPhone 14 Plus all over the internet. Unfortunately, scammers are getting better at manufacturing, marketing, listing, and selling these fake iPhones, making it more challenging to find an authentic product.

However, counterfeit iPhone 14 Plus have a few tell-tale signs that you can look for. Below, we’ll walk you through how to spot a fake iPhone 14 Plus. And if you discover your brand-new iPhone 14 Plus isn’t legit, we have tips and best practices to resolve the issue.

The first clue the iPhone 14 Plus is fake is that it costs

Obviously, price is the biggest clue. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The base price for the iPhone 14 Plus is $899 (£949 / AU$1,579), which gets you 128GB storage.

The 256GB version of the iPhone 14 Plus costs $999 (£1,059.00 / AU$1,749) and the 512GB model will cost you $1,199 ( £1,279.00 / AU$2,099).

Take a good look at the box

One of the best ways to recognize a fake iPhone 14 Plus is by looking at its packaging. This is obviously easier to do in person, but you can also ask for close-up pictures. Apple, like other tech companies, takes great pride in its presentation. There will be no spelling or grammar errors with a legitimate iPhone 14 Plus box, nor will there be imperfections like pixellated or distorted images.

With its hinged lid, the fake iPhone 14 Plus box is easy to open. The top of the real iPhone 14 Plus box, on the other hand, must be shaken and wiggled free from the bottom half — a task that must be done fairly carefully when you’re dealing with $1000-plus of easily broken glass and electronics.

Make sure what’s inside the box is supposed to be there

Again, Apple’s packaging is uniform. Each product will feature the same exact packaging from box to box, with no deviations. iPhone 14 Plus is supposed to come with a Lighting to USB-C cable, and some documentation. If something is off — the Lightning cable is USB-A rather than USB-C, say — you know you have a fake.

Check Physical Details

Let’s assume you’ve got the possibly fake iPhone 14 Plus in your hand. Here are several things to check before you hand over the money. We can’t be certain it’s legitimate – it could just be a fantastic counterfeit – but these will rule out 95 percent of fakes.

Wrong material

The real iPhone 14 Plus has an aluminum body with matte-finish sides and a glossy glass back. In general, the handset feels cool, smooth, and solid. Fake iPhone 14 Plus have pconstruction that feels cheap.

Wrong size

The official dimensions of the iPhone 14 Plus, as detailed on Apple website, are:

• Width: 78.1 mm (3.07 inches)
• Height: 160.8 mm (6.33 inches)
• Depth: 7.80 mm (0.31 inch).

This might seem like a simple detail for a counterfeiter to get right, but you’d be surprised: many fakes are thicker than the real thing, because it’s so hard to match Apple’s engineering capabilities.

If you’ve got scales, check the weight too. The iPhone 14 Plus weighs 203 grams (7.16 ounces. A fake iPhone 14 Plus may not quite as heavy as the real thing.

Check the controls

Fake iPhone 14 Plus often have weaker construction and a somewhat different design from genuine versions. As a result, you must thoroughly examine the iPhone’s outside. Here are some things you should look out for:

• At the top of the iPhone 14 Plus are a front-facing built-in stereo speaker and microphone.
• On the top left of the phone is the Ring/Silent switch.
• Below the Ring/Silent switch are the iPhone Volume buttons.
• Below the volume buttons you’ll see a tiny hole. This is the SIM tray (available on models purchased outside the U.S.)
• On the right is the iPhone Side button.
• Finally, between the built-in bottom microphones and stereo speaker, is the Lightning connector port.

Your iPhone 14 Plus is probably a fake if any of these controls are missing or positioned in an unexpected location.

Check the back of the phone

On the back of your iPhone, you should see two cameras. The tiny hole is the microphone, just like near the front camera. There is also a small textured circle; this is the camera’s flash. Check these are present, and also that they work.

There should also be an Apple Logo in the middle of the phone rear. Fake Apple iPhone 14 Plus may have differently positioned logo, or no logo at all.

Check the color

The color of the phone can also signal to you whether it’s fake or genuine. The iPhone 14 Plus colors are Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Red and Yellow. If you see iPhone 14 Plus in any other color than these: it’s fake, so don’t buy it.

Power on the phone and try it out

Fakes are most easily identified by their inability to replicate the interface and general user experience of a genuine iPhone 14 Plus. Start it up and swipe through a few screens and apps: the touchscreen should respond near-instantaneously to your swipes.

Try to invoke Siri by pressing on the Side button; if she doesn’t answer, it’s either a defective iPhone or a fake. Next, check out the icons on the home screen: For example, if you see a Google Play app, it’s not an iPhone. Or try tapping the App Store icon; if doesn’t go to Apple’s App Store, it’s not an iPhone.

Verify the serial number

Apple runs a website that lets users check if their products are still under warranty. This is great for checking real products, of course, but it also has the added benefit of telling you when you’re using a fake product.

To use the site, you’ll just need your iPhone’s serial number. To find your iPhone’s serial number, open the Settings app and go to General > About. Here, you’ll find the serial number of your iPhone. Now, long-press on the serial number and tap Copy.

Once you copy the iPhone’s serial number, head to the Check Coverage website and enter it into the field at the top, then fill out the CAPTCHA and click Continue. Then, wait a few seconds for Apple to pull up the record for your iPhone from its database.

See the model and purchase date displayed on the screen and compare them to yours. If both credentials are accurate, your iPhone is genuine. However, if Apple says it has no information for a device with this serial number, it’s probably a counterfeit. This is how you can tell if your phone is an authentic iPhone 14 Plus or a counterfeit one.

Already bought a counterfeit or fake iPhone 14 Plus? What now?

It’s not always possible to check iPhone’s legitimacy with online sellers. Still, even if you end up with a dud handset, it’s not necessarily the end of the road. So, what should you do once you have identified your new iPhone 14 Plus is fake? If the online shop or Ebay seller is still active, a return or refund should be attempted. Usually sellers can be persuaded to reimburse the purchase price, although if some time has passed before you recognised the counterfeit nature of the product it may be a little more difficult.

To return an item for a refund on Ebay you should follow these steps:

• Find the item in your Purchase history.
• Select Return this item.
• Give your reason for the return. You can add images to back up your claim.

If you purchased the fake iPhone 14 Plus from somewhere else a similar attempt should be made to return them for a refund. Your payment method can offer a level of protection.

Try to avoid paying in cash due to the lack of a paper trail and the inability to recover payment. Credit cards are better than debit, cash cards, or bank transfers in this regard too. Your bank can usually dispute a transaction to obtain a chargeback. Always check your specific bank’s terms and conditions and you may have to send in a dispute form to initiate the process. PayPal also offers inclusive buyer protection when buying through them, specifically covering knock-off goods and used products.

Most digital means of payment offer some protection against fraudulent merchants.
We’d also recommend trying to obtain proof of purchase and a detailed item description from the seller to act as evidence, just in case. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the seller’s reputation online via reviews and forum posts before committing to a purchase. A quick Google search ahead of time might save you lots of agony after the fact.

With all of the above in mind, you’re now well prepared and protected against ending up with a fake iPhone 14 Plus. The chances of encountering one are slim, but it’s always best to be prepared.

If you are currently using an iPhone 14 that wasn’t purchased from Apple, you may be using a screen that is not genuine without realizing it. The good news is that there are a few ways to check if your iPhone 14 display is original or not. We’ll explore them below.

Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

QUICK ANSWER

To check if iPhone 14 screem is original, go to Settings > General > About and look for the ”Parts and Service History” section beneath the device’s serial number. If the section is missing, the iPhone 14 screen is original.

What Can Go Wrong With Non-Genuine iPhone 14 Screen?

Non-genuine screen replacements can lead to issues with several iPhone features, especially Multi-Touch and Face ID. These issues can include poor touch detection, unresponsive tapping, and even phantom tapping.

While minor inconveniences, like brightness, are easy to overlook if you’re hoping to save money, non-genuine iPhone parts can also cause more alarming issues. Display issues can also cause damage to other parts of the phone, resulting in degraded ambient light sensors, incorrect color calibration, and faster battery drain.

How to check if an iPhone 14 screen is original or fake

Check Parts and service history

Parts and Service History details the repair history of the most commonly serviced modules on an iPhone. These parts include the battery, camera, and display, all of which are most vulnerable to damage and wear and tear.

The feature aims to provide details on whether the mentioned parts in your iPhone have either been replaced or aren’t functioning properly.

If your iPhone 14 screen has been replaced, Parts and Service History will show you whether the repair center used genuine Apple parts.

To check if iPhone 14 screen has been changed, simply follow the steps below:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap About.
4. Look for Parts and Service History.

Please note: The Parts and Service History section will only be available if repairs have been conducted on your ‌iPhone‌.

If a fix was done with genuine Apple parts and tools, repairs in this section will have a "Genuine Apple Part" listing next to the repaired component.

An "Unknown Part" message will be displayed if the screen installation is incomplete, the screen was replaced with a non-genuine display, the screen was already used or installed in another ‌iPhone‌, or if the screen is not functioning as expected.

Enable Maximum Brightness

One way to test if your iPhone 14 display is genuine or not is to put it on maximum brightness and then open a black picture. You can also zoom in on the image to make sure the whole screen is black. If the screen looks like it’s not even turned on, you have a genuine OLED display. On the other hand, if you notice even the slightest bit of gray or white, this indicates the display is not genuine.

Shine a Torch or Flashlight on the Screen

Another method to check if your iPhone 14 screen is original is to shine a torch or a flashlight on your phone’s screen. Then take a close look at the light’s reflection on the screen. An original iPhone 14 display doesn’t have any gridline running through it. On the other hand, a non-genuine screen will have visible gridlines running through it.

Other Telltale Signs Your iPhone 14 Display Is Not Genuine

Multi-Touch issues

• Multi-Touch is unresponsive on certain screen areas.
• Degraded Multi-Touch performance, such as missed screen touches or touches not registering in the right location
• During phone calls, the phone might register accidental touches and the display might remain on.
• Accidental edge or palm touches might register

Display brightness and color issues

• True Tone display doesn’t function correctly
• Lost or degraded function of the ambient light sensor, causing the screen to dim or brighten incorrectly
• Incorrect display color calibration, such as the display to appearing too yellow or blue
• Display isn’t uniformly bright
• Lower maximum brightness
• Unintentional battery drain

When buying a second-hand iPhone or getting an unofficial repair, you run the risk of getting fake battery in your iPhone. Here’s how to check if your iPhone 14 battery is original or fake.

Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

While a second-hand iPhones can come with a few defects, it’s best to buy devices that still have their original battery. Original iPhone battery is designed not just to work, but also to pass the necessary safety requirements for everyday use.

Genuine Apple parts are generally more expensive for a reason. They’re built to a higher standard than cheaper alternatives which third-party technicians may opt for to save money. This can lead to them not lasting as long, particularly when it comes to battery replacements.

With an original iPhone, your second-hand device can still be covered by Apple’s warranty for repairs or factory defect recalls. Here are some methods to find out if your iPhone 14 still has it’s original battery.

QUICK ANSWER

To check if iPhone 14 battery is original, go to Settings > General > About and look for the ”Parts and Service History” section beneath the device’s serial number. If the section is missing, the iPhone 14 battery is original.

What Can Go Wrong With Non-Genuine iPhone 14 Battery?

Using a fake iPhone 14 battery could lead to insufficient battery capacity, improper fit, or performance issues. Nongenuine battery might also result in unexpected behavior after installation, device software updates, or while charging. Using nongenuine batteries might also lead to safety issues.

OK, with that out of the way, here’s how to tell if a iPhone 14 battery is original or fake.

How to tell if a iPhone 14 battery is original or fake

Check parts and service history of your iPhone

The Parts and Service History feature can tell you whether your iPhone 14 battery has ever been replaced. If it has, it will tell whether the repair center used genuinebattery.

Here’s how to check your iPhone’s parts and service history:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into General > About.
3. Look for Parts and Service History.

Don’t panic if you can’t find the Parts and Service History section. The option will only be available when either the battery, display, or camera isn’t functioning as expected or has been replaced.

You will see different messages in the Parts and Service History section.

An Unknown Part will appear if the battery installation is incomplete or if the battery:

• Was replaced with a nongenuine battery
• Was already used or installed in another iPhone
• Isn’t functioning as expected

For display and battery, an additional message might appear that says "Apple has updated the device information for this iPhone." This means that Apple has updated the device information maintained for this iPhone for service needs, safety analysis, and to improve future products.

Sure, warning messages won’t affect how you use your iPhone or your battery, but you should always use genuine battery.

Open the Battery Health Settings

It’s totally normal for your iPhone 14 battery health to degrade with time and use. However, poor battery life can also be a sign that your phone has been tampered with.

Battery health declining at an unusual rate can sometimes be an indication that your iPhone is working harder to compensate for non-genuine parts. Fake parts often work at a level that may be usable, but not sustainable in the long term for your iPhone.

In 2021, Apple released an update that allowed all iPhone models released from 2018 onwards to show an alert for non-genuine batteries.

The alert reads, “Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple battery. Health information not available for this battery.”

Once Apple has identified non-genuine battery, it will keep the warning on your Lock Screen for four days and in Settings for 15 days. You can also check Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging at any time.

In this article, I’ll explain how to check if your iPhone 14 Camera has been repaired, and whether or not it has genuine Camera in it.

Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

QUICK ANSWER

To check if your iPhone 14 Camera is original, head to Settings > General > About and look for the ”Parts and Service History” section beneath the device’s serial number. If the section is missing, your iPHONE 14 camera is genuine.

Problems With Non-Genuine iPhone 14 Camera

According to Apple, your iPhone may exhibit the following issues if it’s camera is not genuine:

• The camera does not focus correctly or images are not sharp
• When using Portrait mode, the subject might not be in focus or only partially in focus
• A third-party app that uses the camera might freeze or quit unexpectedly
• Real-time preview in third-party apps might appear blank or might get stuck

How to check if the iPhone 14 Camera is original or fake

Check Parts and service history

Like a car, your iPhone now effectively has a logbook of any parts that have been replaced. This area will only show up on a device that has had any components replaced, which means if you don’t see it then you can be relatively sure that the iPhone has remained sealed since it left the factory.

Head to Settings > General > About and look for the parts and service history of your iPhone. Here, youlbe able to see if the camera has been replaced. If the repair was done using genuine Apple parts and processes, you will see ”Genuine Apple Part” next to Camera.

You will see an Unknown Part message if the camera installation is incomplete or if the iPhone 14 camera:

• Was replaced with a non-genuine camera
• Was already used or installed in another iPhone
• Isn’t functioning as expected

We should underscore that this warning does not impede your use of the iPhone despite sounding a bit scary. It exists purely to inform the user that the camera in their iPhone is an aftermarket component rather than a genuine Apple part.

Who Should Replace iPhone 14 Camera?

Aside from Apple itself, certified technicians include authorized service providers and independent repair providers using genuine Apple parts. Authorized technicians have completed Apple’s service training and use the company’s genuine parts and tools.

Camera replacement not performed by Apple, or its authorized service providers, or certified technicians might not follow proper safety and repair procedures and could result in improper function or issues with image quality or overall iPhone safety.

For example, aftermarket iPhone 14 camera parts may not fit precisely within the device. Apple also warns that repairs that don’t properly replace screws or cowlings might leave behind loose parts that could damage the battery, cause overheating, or result in injury.

How to Get Your iPhone 14 Camera Serviced

If one of the cameras in your iPhone 14 is not working properly, and you don’t want to have it serviced using aftermarket components, you can get it replaced:

• At an Apple Store
• At an Apple Authorized Service Provider
• By mailing it to an Apple Repair Center

As for out-of-warranty camera replacements, Apple’s independent repair providers will also offer genuine parts by trained technicians.