How to find the serial number of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple Pencil even if it’s lost

Whether you’re looking to get warranty service or just want to keep track of your device, it’s important to know the serial number of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple Pencil.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the importance of having your serial number handy, as well as ten ways to find it, even if your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch is stolen or won’t turn on.

Why You Might Need a Serial Number

Get help: After entering your device’s serial number, you can start a chat or call Apple Support or book an Apple Store repair.

Check Warranty: You can use your iPhone or iPad’s serial number to check if the device has valid purchase details, warranty, and other repair terms.

Insurance Claim. If your iPhone or iPad has been stolen or damaged, you may need a serial number for insurance claims.

Keep inventory: If you have multiple devices, such as in a small business, or if you give iPhones to your employees, you can document all devices with their unique serial numbers for inventory purposes in an Excel sheet or HR software. the company uses.

Find the serial number if your iPhone or iPad is with you

1. From the Settings app

1. Open the iPhone or iPad Settings app.
2. Select General > About.
3. Here you will see the serial number and you can copy it by pressing and holding it.

2. Look in Finder or iTunes.

1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.
2. Open Finder on a Mac or iTunes on a Windows PC and select your iPhone or iPad by clicking on its name or tiny icon.
3. Click on the tiny model name at the top and you will see its serial number.

3. Use recovery mode to find the serial number

Even if your iPhone or iPad is frozen and unresponsive, you can put it into recovery mode, which will show its serial number.

4. On the back of the device or on the SIM card tray.

This does not apply to new iPhones. However, on an iPhone 4S or earlier, you may see the serial number engraved on the SIM tray. On the original, very first iPhone, the serial number is also engraved on the back of the device.

Find the serial number if you don’t have your iPhone or iPad

1. On another Apple device

1. Grab another iPhone or iPad and go to the Settings app.
2. Tap your name at the top and then scroll down to select your lost iPhone or iPad.
3. On the next screen, you will see the serial number. You can touch and hold to copy the serial number from here.

2. Find it in your iPhone’s computer backup.

If you have an old backup file of your stolen iPhone or iPad, you can see the serial number. But for this to work, you need to have another iOS or iPadOS device with you:

1. Connect any other iPhone or iPad to your Mac.
2. Find it in the Finder by clicking its name in the sidebar.
3. Click “Manage backups”under “General”to display all the backups, even your other device that is not with you.
4. Select the backup file and hover over it. You will soon see the serial number in a tiny pop-up window.

Are you using iTunes? Open it and click Settings > Devices to find your old iPhone or iPad backup. After that, hover your mouse over the name of the backup.

3. On the Apple website

Go to the Apple ID website and sign in with your Apple ID. From here, tap Devices and select your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch to see its serial number.

4. On the box

The serial number of your iPhone, iPad or Apple Pencil is also listed on the original box of your device.

5. In the letter of purchase

Go to your inbox and look for an old email purchase receipt from Apple. You can see the serial number here or on the PDF invoice sent by email.

6. On your AppleCare+ or iPhone Upgrade Receipt.

If you have AppleCare+ or have used the iPhone Upgrade Program, you may see the device’s serial number on your receipt or confirmation email.

Can’t find your serial number?

If for some reason you can’t find your iPhone or iPad’s serial number, you can use your device’s IMEI or MEID number to get support, apply for insurance, or report it to the appropriate authorities.

Find the serial number of your Apple Watch

You have three quick ways to do this.

1. Use a watch app

1. Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
2. Select My Watch > General > About.
3. Here you will see the serial number of your Apple Watch.

2. Do you have more than one Apple Watch connected to your iPhone?

1. Go to the iPhone Watch app and tap All Watches in the top left corner of the My Watch section.
2. Tap the info button ⓘ next to your paired Apple Watch to see its serial number and more.

3. In Apple Watch settings

1. Open the Settings app on your watch.
2. Go to General > About and you will find the serial number here.

Find the serial number of your Apple Pencil

1. Make sure the Apple Pencil is connected to the iPad for charging or plugged in (and you can use it on the iPad screen).
2. Go to Settings app > General > About > Apple Pencil and you will find the serial number here.