You’re staring at that tiny, sleek white case and wondering how on earth you're supposed to find a string of microscopic digits. Maybe you’re trying to check your warranty before the AppleCare+ window slams shut. Or perhaps you’re looking at a pair of "AirPods Pro" you bought off a guy on Facebook Marketplace and something feels... off. Knowing where is the serial number on AirPods is basically the first step in proving you haven't been scammed or getting a repair started at the Genius Bar. It’s not always in the most obvious spot, and honestly, if your eyesight isn't 20/20, you might need a flashlight and a prayer.
Check the Lid First
The most common place to look is the underside of the charging case lid. Apple loves hiding text in places you rarely look. If you flip that lid open, look at the very top of the indentation where the earbuds sit. It’s printed in a light gray ink that seems designed to be invisible in anything other than direct sunlight.
For the original AirPods and the AirPods Pro (including the newer USB-C versions), the serial is right there on the left side of the lid’s underside. For AirPods Max, it's a whole different ballgame. You actually have to magnetically detach the left ear cushion. It’s tucked away inside the ear cup, which feels slightly invasive the first time you do it, but that's where Apple decided it belonged.
Using Your iPhone is Way Easier
If you’ve already paired the buds to your phone, stop squinting at the plastic. Seriously.
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Pop the case open so they connect, then head into Settings. Since iOS 16, Apple has made this remarkably simple by putting an "AirPods" tab right near the top of the main settings menu. Tap that. Scroll down past the noise cancellation and transparency settings. There, under the "About" section, you’ll see the model name, model number, and the serial number.
You can even tap the serial number to see the individual serials for the left and right buds.
Wait—individual serials? Yeah.
Since the AirPods (2nd generation) and AirPods Pro, each individual earbud has its own unique serial number printed on it. This is a massive point of confusion. If you’re looking for service, the primary serial number is the one on the case. Apple’s official support documentation notes that for 1st Gen AirPods, the case and the buds shared a number, but that changed quickly. If you’re looking at an earbud, the number is on the underside of the "head" of the bud, right where it starts to taper into the stem. It's incredibly small. Most people can't read it without taking a high-res photo and zooming in.
The Box and the Receipt
If your AirPods are dead, or worse, stolen, and you didn't have them synced to an iCloud account, you need the original packaging. The serial number is printed on a sticker right next to the barcode. It’s usually labeled as (S) Serial No.
Check your email too. If you bought them from the Apple Store or an authorized retailer like Best Buy, the serial is almost always on the digital invoice. This is a lifesaver if you’ve already thrown the box into the recycling bin.
Why the Serial Number Matters for Fakes
Counterfeit AirPods are a plague. They’ve gotten so good that they can actually trigger the "official" pairing animation on an iPhone. They even show up in the Settings app. However, a common trick involves scammers using a real serial number from a genuine pair and printing it on thousands of fake ones.
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If you search for where is the serial number on AirPods because you’re suspicious of a purchase, don't just check if the number exists. Go to Apple’s "Check Coverage" website. If the site says the serial number has already been replaced or shows a purchase date that makes no sense, you're holding a clone. Also, look at the printing quality. Real Apple serial numbers are crisp. Fakes often look slightly blurry or use a font that's just a tiny bit too thick.
The Weird Case of AirPods Max
People often struggle with the Max because they don't want to "break" them. You won't. The ear cushions are held on by magnets. Just pull them firm and straight away from the frame. The serial is printed above the speaker mesh on the left side. If you're looking at the right side, you won't find it.
Dealing with "No Serial Number Found"
Sometimes, you’ll type that number into Apple’s site and get nothing. This happens for a few reasons. If the AirPods were recently purchased, it might take 24 to 48 hours for the system to update. If they are older and were serviced/replaced by Apple, the old serial number might be deactivated in their public-facing database.
But let’s be real: if you bought them from a third-party site and the serial number doesn't work, they are likely counterfeit. The hardware might look 99% identical, but the internal chip—the H1 or H2—is what makes an AirPod an AirPod. Fake chips won't register correctly with Apple's warranty servers.
Moving Forward with Your AirPods
Now that you've located the number, take a photo of it. Store it in a "Tech" folder in your notes or a password manager.
- Verify the Warranty: Head over to checkcoverage.apple.com and plug that number in immediately. Even if you think they’re real, it’s good to know exactly when your coverage ends.
- Check for Firmware Updates: While you’re in the Settings menu looking at the serial, check the firmware version. If it’s significantly behind, leave the AirPods in the case, plug them into power, and keep them near your iPhone. They update automatically—there’s no "Update" button, which is annoying but very Apple.
- Add to Find My: Ensure the serial number is associated with your Apple ID. This is your only hope of recovery if you leave them on a plane or at a coffee shop.
If the serial number on your case is scratched off or unreadable due to wear and tear, and you can’t get them to connect to a phone to see the software readout, your last resort is the original box or the receipt. Without one of those three things—the physical print, the software info, or the packaging—Apple Support generally cannot help you with a repair. Keep that number safe. It's the only thing that proves those $250 bits of plastic are actually yours.