3 Steps to Find Out When Your Android Phone Was Activated

Have you ever wondered exactly when you first activated your Android smartphone or tablet? Knowing the activation date can be useful for determining if your device is still under warranty or figuring out how long you’ve owned it. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to check when your Android device was originally activated. In this article, we’ll walk through the steps to find your phone or tablet’s activation date.

1. Check Your Google Dashboard

One of the simplest ways to determine when your Android device was activated is by checking your Google Dashboard. Here’s how:

1. Open a web browser on your computer or phone and go to the Google Account Dashboard at myaccount.google.com/dashboard
2. Scroll down to the Android section under Your Google services
3. Click on the Android card to expand it
4. You should see a list of your current and past Android devices along with details like the model name, manufacturer, and last activity date
5. Look for the Registered date next to each device – this is the date that device was activated with your Google account

Keep in mind the Registered date reflects the last time you activated the device with your Google account. So if you did a factory reset and had to set it up again, this date will update to when you re-activated it.

2. View Activation Date in Google Play Store

Another place to check your Android device’s activation date is in the Google Play Store settings:

1. Open the Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet
2. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Settings
3. Scroll down to the My devices section
4. You should see your current device listed, along with any other devices connected to your Google account
5. The Registered date shown under each device is the activation date

This method provides the same information as the Google Dashboard, just within the Play Store interface on your device.

3. Check Activation Date by IMEI

Every mobile device has a unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number that can be used to look up details about it, including the activation date in some cases. Here’s how to check your Android phone’s activation date by IMEI:

1. Find your IMEI number by dialing *#06# on your phone, or looking in Settings > About phone
2. Go to imei.info or IMEI24.com in a web browser
3. Enter your IMEI number in the search box and click Check
4. Look for an option to check Warranty information or Warranty Status (exact wording varies by device manufacturer)
5. Your device’s activation date should be listed on the warranty status page, sometimes along with the IMEI activation time

Note that this method may not work for all Android devices. Some manufacturers like Realme and Oppo provide their own IMEI and warranty check tools that include the activation date.

Why the Activation Date Matters

So now that you know how to find your Android device’s activation date, you might be wondering why it matters. Here are a few reasons:

• Warranty coverage: The activation date is often used to determine the start of your manufacturer’s warranty period. By comparing the activation date to the warranty terms, you can figure out if your device is still covered for repairs or replacement.
• Resale value: If you’re planning to sell your used Android phone, the buyer may want to know the activation date to gauge how old the device is. A more recently activated phone will generally have a higher resale value.
• Usage tracking: Knowing when you first started using your device can help you track your own usage patterns over time. You can calculate exactly how many months or years you’ve owned the phone.
• Troubleshooting: In some cases, the activation date might be helpful for diagnosing problems or seeking support. If your device is having issues, the manufacturer or carrier may ask for the activation date to determine if it’s still supported or eligible for warranty service.

Conclusion

Checking your Android phone or tablet’s activation date is a quick and easy process. You can find the activation date listed in your Google Dashboard or Play Store settings, or look it up with an IMEI search tool.

The activation date can be useful for verifying your warranty status, determining your device’s age and resale value, and tracking your own usage. So the next time you’re curious about when you started using your Android device, you’ll know exactly where to look.