What AirPods do I have? 7 Ways to Check Your AirPods Model

It’s pretty easy to tell a pair of AirPods from other wireless earbuds on the market. But determining which model of AirPods it is can be quite tricky.

Identifying AirPods models and AirPods generations can come in handy, especially if you’re planning to buy them from a third-party seller or friend.

Just looking at them will not be enough. Some will need a closer look. Sometimes you will need the serial number or model number of your AirPods.

Below, I will walk you through the different ways to identify AirPods. Let’s continue!

1. Find your AirPods model number
2. Check out the AirPods design
3. Find the model number printed on AirPods
4. Check AirPods in iPhone Settings
5. Compare AirPods Features
6. Identify Your AirPods Charging Case
7. Use your AirPods serial number to identify your AirPods model.

1. Find your AirPods model number.

Distinguishing one type of AirPods line from another is pretty easy. The real problem is determining which generation of AirPods you have. You can identify it with their model number.

Below is a complete list of all types of AirPods manufactured along with their model numbers:

Generations of AirPods and their model numbers

2. Check out the AirPods design

The quickest way to determine which AirPods you have is to check out their appearance.

At the time of this writing, there are already five generations of AirPods in three different lines (AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max). Each of these products has its own unique design that sets them apart from each other.

AirPods Max are the easiest to spot because they are the only over-ear headphones in the line. Regular AirPods look like Apple headphones, only without wires – with a plastic non-replaceable tip. This is in contrast to the AirPods Pro, which come with different sizes of silicone eartips.

3. Find the model number printed on your AirPods.

If you have AirPods, the quickest way to find out the model number is to look for them on the devices themselves. They are in the first line of printed text on the underside of every AirPods. In the case of AirPods Max, you can find it under the left cushion.

Let’s say you don’t have AirPods or they are still sealed. So, if you have the box, you should also look for the AirPods model number as well as the charging case printed on the box just above the first barcode.

4. Check AirPods in iPhone settings.

If you’re interested in your AirPods, you can simply look in your device’s settings to see its model number. You can do this even if it is not currently connected to your device, as long as they are paired.

1. Go to “Settings”→ “Bluetooth”.
2. Press the information button (i). You will see the model name, model number, and even the serial number of your device.

Alternatively, if your AirPods are currently connected to your Apple device, you can do the following:

1. Go to Settings → [your name] [AirPods model].
2. Scroll all the way down to see the AirPods model name, model number, and serial number.

5. Compare AirPods Features

Each AirPods model offers its users different options. For example, if you use AirPods and can use Spatial Audio, then you are using the third generation.

If you have an AirPods Pro and want to know if it’s the first or second generation based on features, check out its noise canceling capabilities. The latter advertises twice the noise reduction of its predecessor.

We’ve written a fuller AirPods Pro vs. AirPods Pro (2nd generation) comparison if you’re wondering how AirPods 2 performs with the latest AirPods. Here is also a comparison between AirPods Pro and AirPods 3.

6. Identify an AirPods charging case.

AirPods 1st GenerationAirPods 2nd GenerationAirPods 3rd GenerationAirPods ProAirPods Pro 2nd Generation

Model numbers and serial numbers not only apply to AirPods, but also to their charging cases. Not only that, but each generation’s charging case design has slight differences that you can use as a clue.

Here are the model numbers for each of the charging cases:

• Lightning AirPods Charging Case (1st Gen): A1602
• AirPods Wireless Charging Case (2nd Gen): A1938
• AirPods Pro Charging Case: A2190
• MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods Pro: A2190
• MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods (3rd Gen): A2566
• Charging case for Lightning AirPods (3rd generation): A2897
• MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods Pro (2nd Gen): A2700

The model numbers on AirPods cases can be found at the bottom of the case.

Each one also has design details that are different from the others. First and second generation AirPods charging cases are taller rather than longer. Meanwhile, AirPods Pro cases are longer than they are tall.

You can also determine if the first and second generation AirPods case supports wireless charging or not. Just check the status indicator. Cases without wireless charging do not have a status LED.

As for AirPods Pro, you need to rely on the serial number. If your AirPods Pro charging cases have serial numbers ending in 1NRC or 1059, they are compatible with MagSafe. If they end in LKKT or 0C6L, they don’t support wireless charging.

As for the AirPods 3 charger, you’ll have to rely solely on the model numbers. MagSafe ready cases are model number A2700, while non-wireless charging cases are model number A2897.

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are unique in that they have a speaker and a loop to attach a strap to.

7. Use your AirPods serial number to identify your AirPods model.

As with other Apple products, you can use your AirPods serial number to find out the model of your AirPods. Just go to the Apple coverage page → enter your serial number and voila! Your AirPods model should be listed there.

There are easy ways to find your AirPods serial number. Regardless of the model, the serial numbers of all AirPods are located on the underside of the cover.

You can also find it on the box that the device came in or on the original invoice that came with your purchase.

Although AirPods have serial numbers, each AirPod has a different serial number, which is not the same as the serial number on the box or the number registered for your AirPods.

As mentioned above, you can also check this through the Apple device that your AirPods are paired with. To do this, simply go to “Settings”→ “Bluetooth”→ press the information button (i). The serial number of your AirPods should be listed here.

Completion…

All AirPods seem similar, but they have distinctive features that make them different from each other. If your eyes can’t pick up on these subtleties, you can always check the model of your AirPods using their make or serial number.

I hope this article helped you determine which AirPods model you have. What method did you use? Share it below!