Proof of purchase for your smartphone
A phone is the one device almost everyone resells within three years — and the one purchase people most often lose the receipt for. Warranty claims, insurance, trade-in offers and secondhand buyers all ask for the same two things: proof you bought it and proof of when.
What to keep for your smartphone
- The store or online invoice (with date and price)
- Order-confirmation email for online purchases
- The phone's IMEI and serial number
- Warranty start date and length
- Insurance or carrier agreement, if any
- Original accessories list if you plan to resell
🛡️ Warranty reality
Most phones carry a one-year limited manufacturer warranty from the purchase date — not from when you first turned it on. Without the receipt, manufacturers and service centres typically fall back to the manufacture date, which can quietly cost you months of coverage.
💰 When you sell
Secondhand phone buyers routinely ask: original bill? box? still under warranty? A dated invoice plus the phone's serial answers all three and is the difference between a confident buyer and a haggling one.
Common questions
How long should I keep a phone receipt?
At least until the warranty ends — usually one year — and longer if you plan to resell, because buyers value a dated original bill. Keeping it for the whole time you own the phone is the calm, safe habit.
Is a bank statement enough as proof of purchase?
Sometimes for warranties, but it rarely shows what model you bought — which is exactly what a resale buyer or an RMA centre wants to see. A proper invoice with the model and serial is stronger.
What is the IMEI and where do I find it?
The IMEI is your phone's unique identity number. Dial *#06# to see it, or find it on the box and invoice. Keep a copy with your receipt — it ties the proof to that exact phone.
Stop losing the papers that matter
Save the receipt once — ProofSave keeps it private, searchable, sealed against tampering, and ready to share as an encrypted proof when you claim or sell. Your first 3 proofs are free; lifetime access unlocks unlimited.