Tech Reference

How to find your Mac computer's serial number in 3 different ways

apple imac 2019
There are several ways to find the serial number on your Mac. Apple
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Most days, it hardly matters what your Mac serial number is. Who cares about a random series of letters and numbers?

But if you ever need to use your warranty and have Apple repair your Mac, you'll need that serial number. And if your computer is ever lost or stolen, the police will care about the serial number too. 

So while you might never need to know it, it's still a good idea to know how to find your Mac serial number. Here's how.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

MacBook Pro (From $1,299.99 at Best Buy)

How to find your Mac's serial number

The easiest way to find a Mac's serial number is to click the Apple logo at the top left corner of the screen, then click About This Mac. You'll find the serial number in the "Overview" tab of the window that opens. 

Screen Shot 2019 12 04 at 5.26.18 PM
The "About This Mac" window can also give you useful information about what type of computer you have.  William Antonelli/Business Insider

If your computer is turned off or won't turn on, you can flip your Mac over and find the serial number physically printed on the hardware. Look for the text beginning with "Designed by Apple in California," and then look at the lowest line of writing, where you'll find the serial number.

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Don't turn a Mac upside down while it's actively running, as that can damage the hard drive.  William Antonelli/Business Insider

If you don't have your Mac close at hand, but the computer is linked to your Apple ID account, then use another device to go to appleid.apple.com

There you can log in and then scroll down to the Devices section, and click on your Mac's name to get its serial number.

Screen Shot 2019 12 04 at 5.29.47 PM
You can see the serial numbers of all your devices here.  William Antonelli/Business Insider

 

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Steven John has been a freelance writer for more than a dozen years and has been a regular contributor to Business Insider since 2017. His work includes a focus on the tech world, covering companies including Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and others. He also reviews restaurants, shares how-to cooking articles, and writes general interest pieces.Steven also writes for publications including Architectural Digest, The Daily Beast, Forbes, and more. In the past, he also wrote for New York Magazine, Mashed, U.S. News & World Report and other outlets. He runs his own outdoor lifestyle site, Dad Gear Review, and co-hosts the Fact Trekkers podcast with his son. He has had two novels published, Three A.M. and Outrider. He graduated from Emerson College with a degree in communications focused on filmmaking.He is an avid outdoorsman and can be frequently found in a kayak or on a mountain trail, often with his family along for the adventure.Expertise:Tech industryTech hardwareOutdoorsCookingRestaurantsDIYPopular articles:Microsoft: A history of the software giant co-founded by Bill Gates, its products and services, jobs, layoffs, and moreYouTube is a major entertainment force. Here's the platform's history, plus how to create a channel and upload videos.Inside the life and career of Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, billionaire, and philanthropistTim Cook net worth: How the Apple leader earns and spends his moneyBecoming an Amazon seller is a simple process. Here's what's involved, plus how you make money and get paid.