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how to find serial number on iphone

Here’s exactly how to find the serial number on an iPhone, plus a few backup methods if the phone is off or broken.

Quick Scoop

  • Fastest method: through the Settings app on the iPhone itself.
  • If the phone won’t turn on: check the box , SIM tray (older models), or your Apple account.
  • You can also see it via a Mac/PC when the iPhone is connected.

Method 1 – Using the Settings App (Most Common)

This is the main, up‑to‑date way on almost all modern iPhones.

  1. Unlock your iPhone.
  2. Open Settings.
  1. Tap General.
  1. Tap About.
  1. Look for Serial Number near the top of the screen.

You can usually tap and hold the serial number to copy it into a message, note, or support form.

Method 2 – If Your iPhone Won’t Turn On

You still have a few options if the device is dead, lost, or stuck in a boot loop.

A. Check the iPhone box

  • Look on the original box your iPhone came in.
  • The serial number is printed near the barcodes and specs label.

B. Check the SIM tray or back (older models)

On some older iPhones:

  • SIM tray : Certain older models have the IMEI and sometimes the serial number etched on the tray.
  • Back of the phone : Very old models (like early iPhones and some 6‑series) may have identifiers engraved on the back.

Note: Newer iPhones usually don’t show the serial number on the physical body; it’s mainly in Settings or your Apple account.

Method 3 – Using a Mac or Windows PC

If your iPhone can connect to a computer, you can view its serial number there.

On a Mac (Finder)

  1. Connect the iPhone to your Mac with a cable.
  2. Open Finder (on macOS Catalina 10.15 or later).
  1. Select your iPhone in the sidebar.
  2. Under the General tab, look for the Serial Number field.

On Mac (older) or Windows (iTunes / Apple Devices app)

  1. Connect your iPhone to the computer.
  2. Open iTunes or the Apple Devices app (latest version).
  1. Click your iPhone icon.
  2. In the Summary/General section, look for Serial Number.

You can often copy it via a right‑click or menu option like “Copy Serial Number.”

Method 4 – From Your Apple Account (No Phone Needed)

As long as the iPhone is (or was) signed in with your Apple ID, you can see its serial number online or from another Apple device.

A. From a browser

  1. Go to account.apple.com.
  1. Sign in with the Apple ID used on that iPhone.
  1. Go to the Devices section.
  2. Click your iPhone; you’ll see its serial number (and often IMEI, etc.).

B. From another Apple device (iPhone / iPad)

  1. On the other device, open Settings.
  2. Tap your name at the top (Apple ID banner).
  1. Scroll down to the list of devices and tap the iPhone in question.
  2. The serial number will be displayed there.

Method 5 – Extra Tip: IMEI vs Serial

While you’re looking, you’ll probably see IMEI or IMEI/MEID too:

  • Serial number : Apple’s unique ID used for warranty, repairs, authenticity checks.
  • IMEI/MEID : Network identifier used by carriers and for blocking a stolen phone.

They are different numbers, but many support sites and forums will ask for either depending on what you’re doing.

Mini “Forum‑Style” Note

“Trying to get my iPhone repaired and they keep asking for the serial number. Where do I even find this thing?”

This question pops up constantly in tech forums, especially when people are dealing with warranty claims, trade‑ins, or second‑hand purchases in 2024–2025 and beyond. The go‑to community answer is always: Settings → General → About → Serial Number , with backups being the box, Apple account page, or Finder/iTunes if the phone is unusable.

Quick TL;DR

  • On the iPhone: Settings → General → About → Serial Number.
  • No access to the phone: check the box , Apple account (Devices) , or a Mac/PC with the phone connected.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.