You’re staring at a trade-in form or a repair request and there it is—that nagging box asking for a string of letters and numbers you never look at. Finding your iPhone serial number should be easy. It usually is. But what if the screen is shattered? What if the phone won't turn on or you lost it at a bar last night?
Honestly, Apple doesn’t make it a "one size fits all" situation.
Depending on which model you’re holding, that unique identifier might be buried in a menu, etched onto a tiny piece of metal, or sitting on a dusty box in your closet. It’s basically the DNA of your device. Without it, Apple Support can’t really help you, and third-party buyers won’t touch your phone with a ten-foot pole.
The Software Route (If Your Screen Actually Works)
If your phone is functioning, don't overthink this. Just tap into the Settings app. You’ve probably been here a thousand times to check your battery health or toggle Wi-Fi, but the General section holds the keys to the kingdom.
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Go to General > About.
The serial number is right there, usually the fifth or sixth item down. Long-press it. A little "Copy" bubble pops up. That’s your best friend if you’re trying to paste it into a website. People often confuse the Serial Number with the IMEI or the Model Number. They aren't the same. While the IMEI is more about cellular identity, the serial number is what identifies the specific hardware unit for warranty claims.
Sometimes the software glitches. It's rare, but if the "About" page looks wonky or empty, a quick hard restart usually forces the system to re-read the internal logic board and display the info correctly.
When the Screen is Dead: The Hardware Trick
What if you dropped your phone and the screen is just a mosaic of black ink and glass shards? You can't get to the Settings app. You're stuck.
For older iPhones—we’re talking the iPhone 6s and earlier—the serial number was actually engraved right on the back of the device. It was tiny. You basically needed a magnifying glass and perfect lighting to read it. Apple stopped doing that because it ruined the "minimalist aesthetic" of the aluminum and glass.
Now, for any modern iPhone (iPhone 7 through the iPhone 15 and 16 series), you have to look at the SIM tray.
Pop the tray out using a paperclip or that little tool you definitely threw away three years ago. Look at the underside of the tray. There is a series of microscopic characters etched into the metal. It’s incredibly difficult to see with the naked eye. If you have another phone handy, take a photo of the tray and zoom in. It’s usually there, along with the IMEI/MEID.
A Quick Warning: If you’ve ever had your SIM tray replaced or swapped with a friend’s for some reason, the number on the tray will be wrong. The tray is a physical part, not a digital readout. If the tray isn't original to the phone, you’re looking at the wrong ID.
Finding the Serial Number Without the Phone
Maybe you don't have the phone. Maybe it was stolen, or you left it at your parents' house across the country. You can still find that number.
If you have a Mac or another Apple device signed into the same iCloud account, go to System Settings (or System Preferences). Click your name at the top. Scroll down to your list of devices. Click your iPhone. A pop-up will show the serial number and the IMEI.
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Alternatively, there is the web method.
- Log in to appleid.apple.com.
- Navigate to the Devices section.
- Click on the iPhone in question.
This is arguably the most reliable way to find your iPhone serial number if the hardware is compromised. It pulls directly from Apple's servers, meaning it’s the number linked to your Apple ID registration.
The "Original Packaging" Savior
Don't throw away your boxes. I know, they take up space and it feels like hoarding, but the retail box is a goldmine for data.
On the back of every iPhone box, there’s a white sticker with several barcodes. One of them is labeled "Serial No." or "S/N." If you’re selling your phone on eBay or Swappa, taking a photo of this sticker is a great way to prove the device is legitimate and hasn't been tampered with. It matches the internal software number, or at least it should.
If it doesn't match? That’s a huge red flag. It means the phone inside isn't the one that originally came with that box, which happens a lot in the refurbished market.
Why Does This Number Actually Matter?
It’s not just for repairs.
Apple’s "Check Coverage" website is the most common place you’ll use this. If you’re buying a used iPhone from a stranger on Facebook Marketplace, ask for the serial number first. Plug it into Apple’s official coverage checker. This tells you if the phone is still under warranty, if it has AppleCare+, and—most importantly—it verifies exactly what the model is.
I’ve seen plenty of people try to sell an iPhone 13 as an iPhone 14. The serial number doesn't lie. It will tell you the manufacture date, the color, and the storage capacity.
Another big one: Theft and Insurance. If you file a police report for a stolen phone, the serial number is the only way they can enter it into the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) database. Without it, even if the police find a stash of fifty stolen iPhones, they have no way to prove one of them belongs to you.
Using Your Computer (Finder or iTunes)
If you're old school and still plug your phone into a computer, this is probably the fastest way to get the info.
On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. Select your iPhone in the sidebar. Look under the name of your phone at the top of the window. It usually shows your phone's battery and storage. If you click that text—literally just click the sub-text where it says "iPhone 15" or the storage capacity—it will cycle through the serial number, IMEI, and ICCID.
On Windows or older Macs, it’s the same deal in iTunes. Click the "Summary" tab. Click the phone number or model info, and it will toggle to reveal the serial number.
Common Misconceptions and Pitfalls
People often get frustrated because they find a number, but Apple’s website says it’s "invalid."
Check your 0s and Os. Apple serial numbers often use the number zero, but rarely the capital letter "O." The same goes for "I" versus "1." If you're squinting at a SIM tray, it’s very easy to misread these.
Also, if you have a "replaced" iPhone—meaning you took yours to the Apple Store and they gave you a new one because the old one was broken—the serial number will start with a different letter. Usually, retail units start with "M," while replacement units start with "N." Refurbished units often start with "F."
Actionable Next Steps for iPhone Owners
You shouldn't wait until your phone is broken to know your serial number. It's a recipe for a headache.
- Take a screenshot: Go to Settings > General > About, take a screenshot of your serial number, and email it to yourself or save it in a "Digital Vault" folder in your notes.
- Keep the box: Even if you flatten it, keep the part of the box with the stickers for at least as long as you own the device.
- Check your Apple ID: Log in to the Apple ID portal once just to make sure all your devices are showing up correctly with their associated IDs.
- Verify on Purchase: If buying used, always run the serial through the Apple Check Coverage tool before handing over any cash.
Knowing how to find your iPhone serial number is essentially your first line of defense in protecting your investment and ensuring you can get help when the hardware inevitably fails or disappears.