The most reliable way to see when you got your phone is to check your purchase receipt, online order history, or carrier records. Phone settings do not show the original purchase date, so you need to look at the documentation from when you bought the device.
How to see when you got your phone in your email
Your purchase confirmation is the fastest way to find the exact date. Search your email inbox for the order confirmation or receipt from when you bought the phone. If you purchased online, log into the retailer's website and navigate to your order history or purchase history section. This works for stores like Amazon, Best Buy, and direct manufacturer websites.
Look at the physical receipt
If you kept the paper receipt from the original purchase, the transaction date is printed on it, usually near the top. The receipt also includes details like the phone model and sometimes the serial number. Note that the purchase date on the receipt may differ from the delivery date if there was a shipping delay, but it is still the official purchase date.
Contact your carrier or retailer
When you cannot find a receipt, your mobile carrier or the store where you bought the phone can provide purchase records. Call or visit customer service and explain you need the purchase date. Provide your account details, phone number, or the device's IMEI or serial number so they can locate the transaction. Some carriers let you access purchase history through their website or app, which is also useful for checking data usage and balance.
What about phone settings?
Neither iPhone nor Android has a built-in setting that shows when you bought the phone. Apple's Purchase History in the App Store or Apple Account settings only shows purchases of apps, music, movies, and other media, not the handset itself. Apple documents Apps & Purchase History in the App Store on iPhone: open the App Store, tap your photo or initials, tap Apps & Purchase History, then tap Purchase History. Apple also documents Settings > your name > Media & Purchases > View Account > Purchase History on iPhone and iPad. Apple says you can filter by Last 90 days and search by amount if you know the charge amount. Apple says older purchase information may appear in Settings or Account Settings on your device, or at reportaproblem.apple.com. Apple's documented steps apply to iPhone in the App Store and Settings app, and also to iPhone and iPad in Media & Purchases. Apple says purchase history can be filtered by Last 90 days. Android devices do not have a universal purchase date setting in the system settings. The only documented way to find the original purchase date is through your receipt, retailer order history, or carrier records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the phone itself show when it was bought?
No. The date shown in some device information menus is typically the manufacture date or software installation date, not the purchase date.
What is the best documented source for the purchase date?
The purchase receipt, retailer order history, or carrier records are the most direct and reliable sources. These documents are created at the time of sale and are the only records that officially confirm when you bought the phone.
Does Apple's Purchase History show when the iPhone was bought?
No. Apple's Purchase History shows App Store and Apple media purchases only. It does not include the date you bought the iPhone hardware itself.
What if I bought the phone used?
If you bought a used phone, check the device's IMEI or serial number on the manufacturer's website or contact their customer support. They may be able to tell you the original purchase date of that specific device, though this is not guaranteed for all manufacturers.
What if I cannot find any receipt or order history?
Contact the carrier or retailer where you believe you made the purchase. Provide your account information, phone number, and the device's IMEI or serial number. They can search their transaction records to find the purchase date.
