You’re probably here because you’re staring at a locked screen, trying to sell a dusty tablet on eBay, or—heaven forbid—you just spilled coffee on your device and need a repair. It’s one of those things you never think about until you absolutely have to. The apple ipad serial number is basically your tablet's social security number. Without it, you’re just another person with a glass slab.
Seriously.
If you’re trying to check your warranty status on Apple’s "Check Coverage" page, that string of alphanumeric characters is your golden ticket. If the police ever need to track a stolen device, this is the first thing they'll ask for. It is the definitive identity of your hardware.
Where is the Apple iPad Serial Number Hiding?
Most people start by flipping the iPad over. It’s there, printed in tiny, microscopic font at the bottom of the aluminum back. Honestly, you might need a magnifying glass or a high-res photo from your phone just to read it. It’s usually right under the "iPad" logo, next to the model number.
But what if your iPad is in a rugged case that’s a nightmare to take off? Or what if the back is so scratched up from years of use that the text is gone?
Go to Settings. Tap General. Hit About.
There it is. Right at the top. You can actually long-press on the number to copy it, which is way better than squinting at the back of the device and typing it into a website one character at a time. It's a lifesaver when you're dealing with Apple Support chat and don't want to mistype a "0" for an "O."
If the iPad won't turn on
This is the nightmare scenario. Your screen is black. The touch digitizer is shot. You can't get into Settings.
Check your original box. Apple is pretty consistent about putting a white label on the packaging that lists the serial number along with the IMEI and ICCID (if you have a cellular model). If you threw the box away years ago—most of us do—don't panic yet. You can sign into your Apple ID account on a different device. Go to appleid.apple.com, log in, and look at your "Devices" list. Click on your iPad, and the serial number will pop right up.
Decoding the Code: It’s Not Just Random Gibberish
Before 2021, Apple used a very specific format for serial numbers. It was a 12-character string that actually told you where the iPad was made, the year, and even the week of production. For example, the first three characters usually represented the factory code.
Then everything changed.
Apple switched to a "randomized" serial number format for newer models like the M4 iPad Pro and recent Airs. They did this mostly to prevent people from "guessing" serial numbers or figuring out supply chain details that Apple prefers to keep secret. Now, it’s just a 10-to-12-character string of random letters and numbers.
Why the distinction matters
If you have an older iPad, that serial number is a history book. If it's a newer one, it's just a random ID. If you see a serial number that looks "too simple," it might actually be a fake. Counterfeit iPads are a real thing, especially in the used market. Genuine serial numbers will always be verifiable on Apple’s official servers. If the "Check Coverage" site says "Valid Purchase Date" and shows a picture of your specific model, you're golden. If it says "Serial Number Not Recognized," you might have a paperweight.
The Difference Between Serial Number and IMEI
People get these mixed up constantly.
Your apple ipad serial number is the unique ID for the hardware itself. Every single iPad has one.
👉 See also: Finding Macbook Specs with Serial Number: How to Actually Know What’s Inside Your Mac
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is only for cellular iPads. If your iPad doesn't have a SIM card slot or an eSIM, you don't have an IMEI. The IMEI is what carriers use to identify your device on their network. Think of the serial number as the VIN on a car and the IMEI as the license plate—though that's a loose analogy because the IMEI stays with the device forever too.
If you’re reporting an iPad as stolen, give the police both. The serial number identifies the physical object, while the IMEI allows carriers to "blacklist" the device so it can never connect to a cellular network again. It effectively kills the resale value for the thief.
Buying Used? Do Not Skip This Step
If you are buying a used iPad from a stranger on a marketplace, the serial number is your only protection. Ask the seller for a screenshot of the "About" page.
Check for Activation Lock.
If you have the serial number, you used to be able to check the iCloud lock status directly. Apple changed that tool a while back, but you can still get a feel for the device's history. Check the warranty. If the seller says it's "three months old" but the serial number shows the warranty expired in 2023, they are lying to you. Simple as that.
Practical Steps for iPad Owners
Don't wait until your iPad is broken to find this info.
- Take a screenshot of your "About" page in Settings and save it to your "Hidden" or "Favorites" album in Photos. Since your photos likely sync to iCloud, you can access this from your phone even if your iPad is dead.
- Save the receipt. If you bought it from Apple or a major retailer, the serial number is often printed on the digital or physical receipt.
- Check your warranty. Go to the Apple Support site once a year just to see where you stand. You might be surprised to find you have a few weeks of AppleCare+ left.
- Label your chargers. If you have a fleet of iPads in a house or office, write the last four digits of the serial number on a piece of tape on the charger. It sounds overkill until everyone is arguing over whose 20W brick belongs to whom.
Knowing your apple ipad serial number is basically basic digital hygiene. It takes ten seconds to find, but it saves hours of headaches when things go sideways. Keep it somewhere safe, preferably somewhere you can reach when the iPad itself is out of commission.