You're standing at the Genius Bar or trying to trade in your old laptop, and suddenly, you need it. That string of letters and numbers that feels like a secret code. Honestly, most people panic for a second because they realize they have no idea how do you find the serial number on a MacBook without digging through a pile of boxes in the garage. It happens.
Whether your screen is smashed, the battery is dead, or you’re just trying to check your warranty status on Apple's official "Check Coverage" page, finding this ID is actually pretty easy if you know where to look. It’s not just for repairs, though. You need this number if your Mac gets stolen—police won't do much without it—and it’s essential for verifying the exact year and model if you're buying a used machine from someone on Marketplace.
The Quick Way (When Your Mac Actually Works)
If your MacBook is powered on and the screen is functional, don’t overthink it. This is the path of least resistance.
Go to the top-left corner of your screen. Click that little Apple icon. You know the one. Select About This Mac. A window pops up immediately. Right there, usually at the bottom of the list of specs like chip type and RAM, is your serial number. You can even double-click the text to highlight it and copy it directly. It’s the fastest way, period.
But what if you’re on an older version of macOS? Before the Ventura update changed the System Settings layout to look more like an iPhone, the "About This Mac" window looked a bit different, but the serial number was always front and center. In the newer macOS versions (Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia), you might have to navigate to System Settings > General > About if you want to see the deeper hardware details, but the Apple menu shortcut still works.
When the Screen is Dead: Looking at the Hardware
Hardware fails. It’s annoying. If your MacBook won't turn on or the display is a shattered mess of ink lines, you have to go physical.
Flip the MacBook over.
Apple lasers the serial number directly into the aluminum casing on the bottom of the machine. It’s usually located near the regulatory markings (the FCC stuff and the "Designed by Apple in California" text). Warning: the font is incredibly tiny. Like, "I need a magnifying glass or a high-res photo from my phone" tiny.
On older MacBook Airs and Pros, the serial number is right there in the first or second line of text. On the newer M1, M2, and M3 models, it’s still there, but the etching is a bit lighter. If you've used a hard-shell case for years, check for dust buildup that might be obscuring the letters. Sometimes a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth makes it readable again.
Using Your Apple ID as a Backup
Maybe your MacBook is in another city, or maybe the bottom is so scratched up that the laser etching is gone. Don't worry.
If you’ve ever signed into iCloud on that device—which, let's be real, you probably have—Apple keeps a record of it. Grab your iPhone or iPad. Open Settings, tap your Name at the top, and scroll down. You'll see a list of every device linked to your Apple ID. Tap on your MacBook. Boom. The serial number, model name, and even the macOS version are listed right there.
You can also do this from any web browser. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and look for the Devices section. It’s a lifesaver when you’re trying to file an insurance claim and the laptop is physically inaccessible or destroyed.
How Do You Find the Serial Number on a MacBook if You Only Have the Box?
Don't throw away your boxes. Seriously.
If you still have the original retail packaging, the serial number is printed on the barcode label. Usually, it’s next to the "(S) Serial No." prefix. This is often the most reliable way to prove ownership if the device is lost.
Interestingly, if you have the original receipt—whether it’s a physical paper slip from an Apple Store or an email from an online retailer like Best Buy or B&H Photo—the serial number is almost always listed there too. Search your inbox for "Apple Invoice" or "Shipment Notification." It’s usually tucked away in the line items.
Terminal Hacks for the Tech-Savvy
Sometimes you’re working remotely via SSH or you’re a power user who just hates using a mouse. You can pull the serial number using a simple command in Terminal.
Open Terminal and type:system_profiler SPHardwareDataType | grep Serial
Hit Enter. The system will spit back the "Serial Number (system):" followed by your code. This is particularly useful for IT managers or anyone running scripts to inventory a fleet of Macs.
A Note on Privacy and Reselling
Never, ever share your serial number in a public forum or a public eBay listing photo. Why? Because people can use that number to file fake service claims or even try to lock the device via "Find My" if they have enough other info. If you’re selling your Mac, it’s okay to show the first few digits to prove the model year, but blur out the rest.
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Also, keep in mind that Apple changed their serial number format around 2021. Older serial numbers were "static," meaning you could actually decode them to find out which factory the Mac was built in and what week it was manufactured. The newer ones (like on the M3 MacBook Pro) are randomized. This was a move by Apple to increase privacy and prevent people from "guessing" serial numbers for fraudulent purposes.
What to Do Next
Now that you have your serial number, you should immediately do two things. First, go to the Apple Check Coverage site and verify if you still have AppleCare+; it might save you hundreds on a repair you thought you had to pay for. Second, copy that number into a secure password manager or a physical "important docs" folder. If your Mac ever gets stolen, having that number ready for the police report is the difference between a "maybe" and a "definitely" when it comes to recovery. If you’re currently looking for it because of a hardware issue, your next step is to book a Genius Bar appointment via the Apple Support app—they’ll ask for that serial number the second you start the chat.
Next Steps for You:
- Check your warranty status: Head to checkcoverage.apple.com and paste your serial number to see if you're still covered for repairs.
- Register your device: If you bought your Mac used, make sure it’s linked to your Apple ID so you can track it via the Find My network.
- Document it: Take a screenshot of the "About This Mac" window and save it to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox so you have it even if the hardware dies completely.