How Do I Know What Model My iPhone Is? A Helpful Guide

You're standing in the electronics aisle, staring at a wall of cases, and suddenly it hits you: you have no clue which iPhone is actually in your pocket. Is it a 13? A 14? Maybe a 15? They all kinda look the same after a while, right? Honestly, don't feel bad. Even the "pros" get tripped up because Apple’s design language is so consistent.

Figuring out how do i know what model my iphone is is actually a lot simpler than it used to be. Back in the day, you could just flip the phone over and read the tiny text on the back. Apple stopped doing that around the iPhone 8 era, though. Now, you’ve gotta do a little digital or physical detective work.

The Absolute Easiest Way: Settings App

If your phone still turns on and the screen isn't a shattered mess of glass, this is your gold standard. It takes about five seconds.

1. Open your Settings.
2. Tap on General.
3. Hit About.

Right there at the top, you'll see a line that says Model Name. It’ll say something like "iPhone 15 Pro" or "iPhone SE (3rd generation)." You're done! But wait—what if you're trying to sell the phone and the buyer is asking for the "A-number"?

Look right below the Model Name at Model Number. Usually, it looks like a bunch of gibberish, like MN572LL/A. That's actually the "part number" which tells you the region and the storage. If you tap that gibberish once, it will toggle to a shorter code starting with the letter A followed by four digits (e.g., A3105). That is your official hardware model number.

What if the Screen is Broken or Dead?

This is where things get a bit more hands-on. If you can't get into the software, you have to look at the hardware itself.

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The SIM Tray Trick

For almost every iPhone from the iPhone 8 all the way up to the iPhone 15 series, the model number is hidden inside the SIM card tray slot.

You'll need a paperclip or that little tool you definitely threw away with the box. Pop the tray out. Look inside the hole—not on the tray itself, but on the top side of the opening (the side closest to the screen). You’ll see a tiny "A" number etched there. You'll probably need a flashlight and maybe some reading glasses because it is microscopic.

Note for iPhone 14 & 15 (US Models): If you bought your phone in the US, you might not even have a SIM tray because Apple switched to eSIM. In this case, if the screen is dead, you'll need to check your Apple account online or the original box.

Checking the Back (For the "Vintage" Crew)

If you're rocking an iPhone 7 or anything older, just flip it over. The model number is printed right on the back casing near the bottom. It's usually the very first thing listed after the "Designed by Apple in California" text.

Identifying Your iPhone via a Computer

Maybe your screen is black but the phone still vibrates. You've got hope!

Grab a USB cable and plug that thing into a computer. If you're on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. If you're on a PC or an older Mac, open iTunes (or the Apple Devices app on Windows 11).

Once the computer recognizes the phone, click on the device icon. It will show the model name right there on the summary page. It's basically a "handshake" between the two devices where the iPhone introduces itself.

Decoding the First Letter: Is Your iPhone New?

While you're in that Settings > General > About menu, take a peek at the first letter of that long model number (the one with the slash at the end). It actually tells a secret story about where your phone came from.

• M: This means the device was purchased New.
• F: This is a Refurbished unit. Apple or a carrier fixed it up and resold it.
• N: This is a Replacement device. If you ever took a broken phone to the Apple Store and they handed you a "new" one, it usually starts with N.
• P: This was Personalized with an engraving at the time of purchase.

It doesn't really change how the phone works, but it's good to know for resale value. People usually pay a bit more for an "M" than an "F."

Check Your Apple ID From Another Device

If you lost your phone or it's completely smashed, you can find the model using any other Apple device you own—or even a web browser.

1. Go to Settings on your iPad or a friend's iPhone.
2. Tap [Your Name] at the very top.
3. Scroll down. You'll see a list of every device signed into your iCloud.
4. Tap your iPhone's name, and it will show you the model, serial number, and even the OS version it's running.

No second device? No problem. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and look for the Devices section. It's all there.

Why Knowing the Exact Model Actually Matters

It’s not just about vanity. Knowing if you have an iPhone 12 vs. an iPhone 12 Pro is the difference between a case that fits and a case that covers your camera lens.

• Repairs: If you tell a repair shop you have an "iPhone 13" but it's actually a "13 Pro," the screen they order won't work. The Pro models often have different refresh rates and connectors.
• Trade-ins: Don't get lowballed. A 256GB model is worth way more than a 64GB one.
• Compatibility: Some features, like the Action Button or certain AI-driven camera modes, only exist on specific models.

Actionable Next Steps

Now that you've identified your model, here is what you should do next to keep that info handy:

1. Take a Screenshot: Go to Settings > General > About, snap a screenshot, and favorite it in your photos. If your screen ever glitches, you might still be able to see it in your iCloud Photo library.
2. Check Your Warranty: Copy that serial number from the same screen and paste it into Apple’s Check Coverage site. You might find out you still have AppleCare+ coverage you forgot about.
3. Backup Your Data: Now that you know exactly what you're holding, make sure it’s backed up to iCloud. Knowing the model makes it much easier to restore that data to a new one later on.