Apple computers carry the same name for years and decades, even if the manufacturer keeps releasing updated models with completely new hardware. An example would be the iMac, which has undergone several major changes since it was first introduced in 1998. If you want to find out the model name of your Mac, iMac or MacBook, then you've come to the right place. Even if you have to determine the Apple serial number of the Mac mini, iMac Pro, MacBook Air or the like, you will find the appropriate instructions below. Do you still have a question on the topic? Then please leave a comment!
Tip: If you only have the serial number but your Mac won't boot, you can still find out which Mac model you have. You can read more about this in this article: “Identify Mac model by serial number only".
Chapter in this post:
Find the model name and serial number on the Apple Mac
On macOS, there is one primary way you can find out the model name and serial number of your Mac, iMac, MacBook, or other Apple computer. Here are the step-by-step instructions for finding the information quickly:
- Opens this in the menu bar on the left Apple menu ( symbol)
- Select the item from the drop-down menu About this Mac from
- In the rider Overview you will now find the model shown under the macOS information and the serial number below
- Click the button System report... for more detailed information
- The Hardware Overview you can now see the model identification (lists below) along with further information
Locate Mac Serial Number in Old OS X
Like Apple in the official Support document on the subject, you can also use the "About This Mac" window in old versions of the operating system call. It looks different there and the information is arranged differently. If you double-click on the version number under the "OS X" lettering in the window, the serial number of the computer is revealed.
Find the model name and serial number from the powered off Mac
If the Apple computer is switched off, a lengthy update is running, the device no longer turns on due to a defect, the display is out of order or you cannot access the menus shown above for other reasons, then you can also get there in other ways the info. Here are the options available to you without computer access:
- Look for information on the case (e.g. bottom of MacBook or Mac mini).
- Look for information on the original box that came with your computer
- Sign in at appleid.apple.com with the linked Apple ID, select the computer from the "Devices" overview and read out the model name and serial number there
Which model identification stands for Mac, iMac, MacBook and Co.?
But maybe you don't want to find out the serial number, model name or other information about your Mac computer. If you want to provide support from afar, get information about a used Apple computer or want to look for other information about a computer that can be identified by the model identification, then there are also the right sources for this.
For example, the 16 2021-inch MacBook Pro has the identifiers "MacBookPro18,1" and "MacBookPro18,2". Of the Mac Studio of 2022 can be identified using the identifiers "Mac13,1" (with Max M1) and "Mac13,2" (with M1 Ultra) can be identified. If you only have this model identification from a computer, then you can look up the matching device with its technical data in the following lists on the Apple support website:
- MacBook Pro identification and part numbers: Complete list
- MacBook Air identification and part numbers: Complete list
- MacBook identification and part numbers: Complete list
- iMac Identification and Part Numbers: Complete list
- Mac mini identification and part numbers: Complete list
- Mac Studio identification and part numbers: Complete list
- Mac Pro identification and part numbers: Complete list
App recommendation: Mactracker with details of all Apple products
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After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.
