How to find your iPhone’s serial number without the box
An iPhone’s serial number is a unique identifier used for warranty checks, Apple Support, repairs, insurance records, and device ownership information. You do not need the original packaging to find it. In most cases, the quickest method takes less than a minute and uses the phone’s Settings app.
There are several alternatives if the iPhone will not turn on, cannot be unlocked, or is no longer in your possession. You may be able to view the serial number through your Apple Account, a Mac or Windows computer, an old purchase record, or physical markings on certain iPhone models.
The serial number is different from the IMEI, model number, and phone number. Each identifier serves a different purpose, so check the label carefully before copying it into a support or warranty form.
Find it in the Settings app
If you can unlock the iPhone, Settings is the most reliable way to locate its serial number. Open Settings, tap General, and then select About. The serial number appears near the top of the information page, alongside details such as the device name, software version, model name, and capacity.
Touch and hold the serial number to reveal the Copy option. Copying it is safer than typing the characters manually because serial numbers can contain similar-looking letters and numbers. Paste it into a secure note, support chat, warranty form, or other trusted destination.
The About page may also show an IMEI, IMEI2, EID, and modem firmware number. These are separate identifiers. If a carrier or repair provider specifically asks for the serial number, copy the field labeled Serial Number, not the IMEI or model number.
If the serial number is displayed in a small or difficult-to-read format, rotating the phone or using the accessibility Zoom feature can make it easier to inspect. Avoid posting a full serial number publicly in screenshots or online listings, since it can reveal device information you may prefer to keep private.
Use your Apple Account when the phone is unavailable
You can often retrieve an iPhone serial number even when the handset is lost, damaged, erased, or sitting in a drawer with a dead battery. Sign in to account.apple.com using the Apple Account connected to the device. After signing in, open the Devices section and select the relevant iPhone.
The device details may include its model, software version, serial number, and other account information. Apple’s account pages can change location or layout, so look for a device list, account device section, or a link that opens additional device details.
You may also access the same information from another Apple device signed in to the same account. On an iPad or Mac, open your Apple Account settings, review the list of devices, and select the iPhone. This is particularly useful if the iPhone screen is broken or the phone was traded in before you recorded its identifying details.
The Apple Account method only works if the iPhone was previously associated with that account and remains visible there. A second-hand device may still be linked to a previous owner, while an iPhone removed from the account may no longer appear. In those cases, a purchase receipt, carrier record, or computer backup may provide the answer.
Check a Mac or Windows computer
A computer can display an iPhone’s serial number when the device is connected by USB. On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, connect the iPhone, open Finder, and select the phone in the sidebar under Locations. The serial number normally appears in the device information area.
On older Macs or Windows PCs, Apple’s iTunes software provides a similar view. Connect the iPhone, open iTunes, and click the small device icon. Select the Summary page to see the serial number and other hardware information. If the phone does not appear, unlock it and approve the Trust This Computer prompt on the iPhone.
Windows users with newer Apple software may use the Apple Devices app instead of iTunes. Connect the phone, choose it from the sidebar, and open its general device details. The exact wording can vary by software version, but the serial number is usually grouped with the iPhone’s model and capacity.
This method may not work if the iPhone has never trusted that computer, if the charging port is damaged, or if the device is locked after a reset. A computer cannot normally bypass the iPhone passcode. It can display information only when the device establishes an approved connection.
Look at records and physical markings
The original box is a convenient source because its barcode label usually lists the serial number, IMEI, model number, and storage capacity. However, it is not the only paper record that can identify the phone. Search purchase receipts, emailed invoices, carrier account pages, repair paperwork, AppleCare documents, and insurance records.
Retail and carrier invoices may list the serial number or IMEI, though some show only the model and transaction details. If you bought the iPhone used, ask the seller for the original purchase record or a screenshot from the device’s About page. Do not rely solely on a box supplied with a used phone, because packaging can be mixed up.
A few older iPhone models have the serial number engraved on the SIM tray. This is not common on newer devices, and the engraving can be extremely small. Remove the tray carefully with the SIM-eject tool and inspect both the tray and the surrounding area in good light. Do not force the tray if it does not release normally.
The back of modern iPhones generally does not show a serial number. Regulatory text and model markings may be present on older hardware, but they should not be mistaken for the serial number. If there is no clear physical label, use Settings, your Apple Account, or a connected computer instead.
| Method | Works when the iPhone is unavailable? | What you need | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings > General > About | No, the phone must be usable | An unlocked iPhone | Fastest and most direct lookup |
| Apple Account device list | Often | Access to the linked Apple Account | Lost, erased, damaged, or replaced phones |
| Finder on Mac | Sometimes | Trusted iPhone, USB cable, Mac | Checking a connected device |
| Apple Devices or iTunes on Windows | Sometimes | Trusted iPhone, USB cable, PC | Windows-based device management |
| Purchase or repair records | Yes | Receipt, invoice, carrier or insurance account | Phones that cannot power on |
| SIM tray marking | Yes, on some older models | Physical access and good lighting | Last-resort inspection |
Tell the serial number apart from other identifiers
Several codes can appear together on an iPhone, which makes misidentification easy. The serial number is usually an alphanumeric code labeled Serial Number. The IMEI is a longer numeric identifier tied to the cellular hardware. A dual-SIM iPhone may show both an IMEI and an IMEI2.
The EID identifies the phone’s embedded SIM hardware and is mainly relevant to eSIM activation. The model number identifies the hardware family or regional variant, while the part number can describe the sales configuration. None of these is a substitute for the serial number when Apple Support asks for that specific field.
An iPhone’s serial number may contain letters and numbers that look alike, including characters such as zero and the letter O. Copy and paste whenever possible. If you must write it down, compare the result against the original screen or record before submitting it.
Do not publish the serial number alongside a device listing, receipt, or photograph unless there is a clear reason to do so. A serial number alone generally does not let someone access your iPhone, but keeping it private reduces unnecessary exposure of your device history and support information.
What to do when the phone will not start
A completely dead iPhone cannot display its serial number through Settings, but it may still be identifiable through your Apple Account or previous records. Start by checking account.apple.com and any computer that previously synchronized with the device. Then search email for terms such as “iPhone,” “AppleCare,” “repair,” or the retailer’s name.
If the iPhone shows an Apple logo, a recovery screen, or a disabled message, connect it to a trusted Mac or PC and check Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes. In some cases, the computer can identify the device even though iOS has not fully loaded. If the phone has never been trusted, the computer may show limited information or require recovery.
Do not erase or restore the iPhone simply to locate its serial number. A restore can remove local data and may trigger Activation Lock, while the serial number can often be found through an account or receipt. If the device is being repaired, Apple or an authorized service provider can usually identify it from the hardware and service record.
If the iPhone was lost or stolen, use Find My to protect the device rather than sharing its identifiers publicly. Mark it as lost, contact your carrier if necessary, and provide the serial number or IMEI directly to Apple, law enforcement, your insurer, or the carrier when requested.
Practical ways to record it safely
Once you locate the serial number, save it somewhere secure and easy to access. A password manager, encrypted note, household inventory, or private cloud document can prevent a repeat search if the iPhone is lost or damaged. Record the model, storage capacity, purchase date, and carrier details at the same time.
These habits make warranty claims and insurance reports easier, especially when several iPhones are used in the same household. Label each record with a device name such as “Alex’s iPhone 15 Pro” rather than relying on the serial number alone.
- Copy the serial number directly from Settings whenever possible.
- Save the serial number with the model name and storage capacity.
- Keep a receipt or digital invoice in a private, backed-up location.
- Avoid sharing the complete serial number in public marketplace listings.
- Check the copied characters before sending the number to support.
If you are checking warranty status, use Apple’s official coverage tools or contact Apple Support directly. Enter the serial number only on a legitimate Apple website or in an official support channel, and avoid third-party “lookup” pages that request unnecessary personal information.
The simplest route is Settings > General > About, but a missing box does not prevent you from identifying the phone. Your Apple Account, Finder, Apple Devices, iTunes, receipts, and selected physical markings provide useful alternatives. Save the verified number privately once you find it so future repairs, warranty checks, and insurance claims take less time.