This Fake iPad Looks Real… Until You Power It On
I recently got my hands on what looks like a real iPad. It has the same sleek design, the Apple logo on the back, and even the same app layout as iPadOS. But when you dig a little deeper, you’ll realize this thing is faking it big time.
Let’s break down what I found.
It Looks Like an iPad… But It’s Not
At first glance, you’d probably think this is a genuine iPad. The UI has the same layout, icons, and even some animations that feel kinda like iOS. But when I tried to shut it down and boot it back up by holding the volume up button, things started to get weird.
Welcome to Chinese Android Recovery Mode
Instead of seeing an Apple logo or iOS-style boot menu, I was greeted by a screen full of Chinese text. That’s your first red flag. If you’ve ever worked with Android devices before, you'd probably recognize this as Android’s recovery mode, just in a different language.
After translating the menu to English, it confirmed my suspicion: this isn’t iOS at all. This is Android, cleverly skinned to look like iPadOS.
The Smoking Gun: Android 11
From that same recovery menu, I tapped on something labeled "Version Info." That’s when it gave away the whole game. The device is running Android 11, not iOS. It even listed full details you'd expect from an Android tablet.
So yeah it looks like an iPad, but it’s running Android underneath, using a skin that mimics Apple’s design.
Why Do These Fakes Exist?
Fake iPads like this usually show up on sketchy online stores or get sold second-hand by people who may not even realize it’s a clone. They’re meant to trick buyers, and sometimes they’re priced just low enough to seem like a “deal” but you’re definitely not getting Apple-level performance or quality.
Final Thoughts
This fake iPad might fool you at first glance, but once you press a couple of buttons, it falls apart fast. It’s running Android 11 with a fake iPad OS skin and can’t do half the things a real iPad can. If you’re in the market for a tablet, double-check before you buy especially if the price seems too good to be true.
Stay sharp out there, not everything with an Apple logo speaks iOS. Don’t let a sneaky Android crash your party.
See you in the next article!
