With a ton of iPhone models that look the same, it can be difficult to tell which model you have. But you may already be questioning the relevance of knowing your iPhone model. For starters, this information is crucial in deciding which apps to install and which software updates to download.
On older models, the ‘A’ number is printed in fine print on the back of the phone. However, since the iPhone 8/iPhone X and later in 2017, Apple has removed it from the back. If you have a newer iPhone, the number can be found in the Settings app. Here is a simple guide to knowing what kind of iPhone you have.
Understanding iPhone Models
Apple has released a total of 38 different iPhone models since its historic debut in 2007, and with at least four new ones introduced every fall, the company shows no signs of slowing down.
Apple has made only a few significant design changes in that time. The company typically sticks with established designs for three or four years before changing things up, making it difficult to tell which iPhone model you have—especially if you’re getting a used iPhone rather than a new one.
For example, while an iPhone 14 Pro Max is clearly distinct from an iPhone 8, you’d have a harder time distinguishing it from an iPhone 13 Pro Max or even an iPhone 12 Pro Max without a trained eye. Similarly, Apple purposefully chose to use the iPhone 8 design for its 2020 and 2022 iPhone SE models, making it nearly impossible to distinguish between the three.
In some cases, a distinct color may provide a hint, and there are other cues that those who are intimately familiar with Apple’s iPhones may be aware of. Of course, most people don’t have the time to pore over Apple product design minutiae, so you’ll be relieved to know there’s a much easier way to figure out what model of iPhone you’re holding in your hand.
What Kind of iPhone Do I Have?
#1. Determine This From the List of Devices Associated With Your Apple ID
- First, go to Settings and see what kind of iPhone you have.
- Then, tap on your Apple ID profile at the top of the Settings screen.
- TIP: To increase security, enable two-step verification for your Apple ID on an iPhone or iPad.
- You will see a list of all your Apple devices at the bottom of the next screen. The first is the iPhone you’re holding, and its model is shown in a smaller font below.
#2. Visiting its About Settings Page
To determine what iPhone you have, go to General Settings.
- Tap the first option, About, on the General screen.
- This brings up the About screen, where you can find the Model Name of your iPhone.
- To find out which iPhone you have, look at the Model Name.
NOTE: The Model Name field is available only if your iPhone is running iOS 12.2 or later. If you're using an older iPhone, tap once on the Model Number to see the value change. The new value displayed next to the Model Number should begin with the letter A.
How Do I Tell What iPhone I Have Without Turning It On by Looking at the Device’s Serial Number?
Other methods are only applicable if you can access the iPhone’s Settings. Fortunately, you can determine which iPhone you have without turning it on or unlocking it by looking at the Model number printed on it. As mentioned in the previous chapter, the Model number begins with the letter A.
Examine the back cover of your iPhone first. On older devices, the model number is printed in a small font on the back of your iPhone.
If you don’t see a Model number on the back, you have an iPhone 8 or later. Remove your iPhone’s SIM card tray and inspect the opening with a bright light and a magnifying glass if necessary. A number should be printed on the upper inner edge of the slot.
How to Determine Which iPhone You Have
Assuming the iPhone is in good working order and you can unlock it, the simplest way to identify it is to launch the Settings app and then navigate to General > About.
This page contains a wealth of useful information about your iPhone, including its model number and, if you’re running iOS 12.2 or later, the model name. You can also see the iOS version installed, the serial number, AppleCare coverage, storage capacity, and technical information on its Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular hardware.
If you’re dealing with an older iPhone that hasn’t been updated to iOS 12.2, you’ll only see the model number, so you’ll have to do a little more digging to figure out which specific model name it corresponds to.
There are two model numbers at work here. The one displayed by default is your iPhone’s “part number,” a unique code corresponding to your iPhone’s storage capacity, color, and region. It usually starts with a “M,” but it could start with a “N” or a “F” if you’re dealing with a replacement or refurbished iPhone.
Read Also: How to Turn Off Siri on Your iPhone or Ipad- Simple Guide
The number you really want to see, however, is hidden behind the part number. When you tap the number next to Model Number, it will change to a five-character code that begins with the letter “A.” All color options and storage capacities share this model number.
For example, while MQ9E3VC/A is unique to a Deep Purple, 256GB iPhone 14 Pro Max sold in Canada, the same A2893 model number is used for all iPhone 14 Pro Max variants sold in Canada, Guam, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the United States Virgin Islands, regardless of color or storage capacity.
It’s worth noting that Apple typically sells different base models of each iPhone in different parts of the world to accommodate different 5G or LTE frequencies. For example, the iPhone 14 Pro with mmWave capabilities sold in the United States has the model number A2650, whereas the A2889 version sold in Canada only supports sub-6GHz 5G. Apple provides a list of the 5G and LTE carriers and bands that each model supports, which is a useful way to determine whether a used iPhone is fully compatible with the cellular networks in your area.
What Should You Do If You Are Unable To Turn On or Unlock Your iPhone?
While looking in the Settings app is by far the simplest way to determine what model of iPhone you’re using, that won’t be an option if you can’t get to that screen. For example, you might want to know the model of an iPhone that has been damaged or won’t turn on so you can decide whether or not it is worth repairing.
If you have an iPhone 7 or older model, the model number is written in fine print on the back, along with all the other regulatory information. However, for newer models, this will not be an option. As a result of the E-LABEL Act, Apple began stamping all of that information on the back of the iPhone in 2018. That means the iPhone 8, iPhone X, and all subsequent models lack a model number etched on the back.
Fortunately, the model number is still engraved on the iPhone, albeit in a much less visible location. Instead, Apple has etched it into the SIM tray slot in extremely fine print. You’ll need really good eyes or a magnifying glass to see it, but if you take out your SIM tray and squint at the inside edge of where it slides in, you’ll notice the A-series model number hidden on the display side.
If you have an iPhone 14 without a physical SIM card slot, the model number is located inside the Lightning connector.
A Complete List of all iPhone models
Once you’ve found the model number for your iPhone, you can compare it to the list below. This is a list of every iPhone model ever released by Apple, from the most recent to the oldest, including all model numbers for each region.
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