Quick Tip: How to Check the Warranty Status of an Apple Device

Each time I purchase a new Apple device, I must add a reminder or calendar event that will inform me when the standard warranty will expire. This gives me a chance to purchase AppleCare.

Last year, I forgot to do this, and I found myself scouring the Internet for Apple’s warranty information page, eventually discovering my warranty has a few months before it’s up. 

Since Apple doesn’t quite detail the process, this Quick Tip will help you find the warranty status, of an Apple device, in just a few minutes.

Find the Serial Number

Before you can look up an Apple device’s warranty status, you need to locate the serial number of that device.

Finding the Serial Number of an iOS Device

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap General
3. Tap About
4. Scroll down until you see the Serial Number section. Take note of the text the right 

If the iOS device is not operable and you’re unable to launch the Settings app, you can use the IMEI number as an alternative. The IMEI is found on the back of the device below the iPhone, iPod, or iPad text.

Finding the Serial Number of a Mac

1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen
2. Hold down the Option key and select System Information
3. In the Hardware Overview screen, look for the Serial Number (system) field and copy the number beside it to the clipboard, or write it down

If you’re unable to access the software side of your Mac, the serial number is engraved on the underside of a MacBooks, under the foot of an iMac or Thunderbolt monitor , for example. For more information refer to the Apple knowledgebase article how to find the serial number of an Apple hardware product.

Look Up the Warranty Status

Once the serial number has been located, you can check the warranty status with Apple:

1. Open Apple’s warranty status page in a web browser
2. Type or paste the serial number into the appropriate field and click Continue
3. Peruse the last two fields, Telephone Technical Support and Repairs and Service Coverage, to check the currenty status of the warranty. If they have not expired, they will have a date of estimated expiration. You’ll also have the option to extend the warranty if you’re within the original, standard warranty period

One Step Further: Associating Devices With an Account

To make this process easier in the future, you may want to associate the device with your account. Once you’ve done this, it’s no longer necessary to type in the serial number each time you want to open a new support ticket or anything—it will all be tied to your Apple ID.

1. Open Apple’s My Support Profile page
2. Sign in with your Apple ID
3. Click the + Register & Add Products button
4. Enter the serial number and click Continue just as you did when looking up the warranty status
5. The device’s warranty information will now be available once you sign in to this area of your account

AppleCare and All That

In this tutorial, I’ve shown you how to check the warranty status of an Apple device and how to keep a family of Apple devices organized. Now that you have an idea when an Apple device warranty expires, you can purchase AppleCare with through the Support Profile page when the time is right.