Buying a Case for Someone Else? Get the Phone Model Right

A custom case gift starts with one unglamorous detail: the phone it needs to fit. A familiar-looking camera or a remembered screen size is not enough to make the selection confidently. Before choosing the photo, get the full model name from the person who uses the phone.

Ask for one detail, not the whole screen

A simple request works: “Could you send me the exact model name of your phone? Just the name is fine.” You do not need their passcode, account information, serial number, or IMEI to choose a case.

On an iPhone, start in Settings, then General, then About. If the model is still unclear, Apple explains how to find the model number. On a Samsung Galaxy, start in Settings, then About phone; Samsung's identification guide explains where those details appear and notes that screens can vary.

Ask the recipient to copy the relevant model name rather than sending an uncropped screenshot. If a model number needs clarification, use the manufacturer's guidance or ask GoCraftly for help. Do not turn a guess into an order.

Resolve the upgrade question first

If the recipient is changing phones, ask which device the gift should fit. “The one you have now” and “the one you plan to buy” are different decisions. A planned purchase can also change, so wait until the exact new model is confirmed if that is the intended device.

For a surprise, you can keep the artwork private while asking about the phone directly. A trusted person may be able to help with the recipient's permission, but avoid secretly opening someone's device or account.

Match the whole name in the selection

Keep any suffix in the name, such as Plus, Pro, Pro Max, or Ultra, as well as the generation. These are examples of model naming, not a list of supported phones. Check the options actually offered in Design Your Own; a similar-looking option is not a substitute for an exact match.

If the model is missing, pause and ask rather than selecting the nearest name. Case styles can also differ by phone, so confirm the model before settling on a particular style.

Keep a short private order note

• Recipient and confirmed phone model
• Whether the case is for the current phone or a confirmed upgrade
• Selected case style and chosen image filename
• Date you hope to give the gift

Before checkout, compare the selected model against that note one final time. Review the returns and order-issue policy before purchasing a made-to-order gift. A careful model check is easier than discovering a mismatch when the gift is opened.