To find out the model of your iPad, check Settings > General > About for the Model Name and Model Number, or read the small text on the back.
When you want to sell your tablet, buy the right case, or check if it still gets iPadOS updates, you need to know the exact iPad model in your hands. Apple has reused names like “iPad Air” or “iPad mini” across many generations, so only “iPad Air” on the box is not enough when you look at trade-in offers or feature charts.
This guide walks you through every reliable way to find out which iPad you own, even if the screen is cracked, the device does not start, or you inherited it from someone else without any paperwork.
Why Knowing Your iPad Model Matters
Before you run through menus, it helps to know what the model details actually do for you. Once you know your exact iPad model name and model number, you can match it to cases, keyboard covers, Apple Pencil versions, and charging accessories without guesswork. You can also check how long it should receive iPadOS updates and whether a repair is worth the cost.
Model details are also useful when you talk to a repair desk, arrange a trade-in, or contact Apple for warranty help. Instead of saying “an old iPad,” you can give a precise label like “iPad mini (6th generation),” which avoids confusion and speeds up any help you receive.
Quick Ways To Find Your iPad Model In Settings
The fastest way to find out the model of your iPad uses the Settings app. As long as the device can turn on and reach the Home Screen, you can see the model name in less than a minute.
Check Model Name And Model Number
Apple’s own instructions explain that the Settings app now shows both a friendly Model Name and the more technical Model Number on the same screen. That means you can answer most “which iPad is this?” questions without leaving the device. The steps below match Apple’s current iPadOS layout.
- Open Settings — Tap the grey gear icon on your Home Screen or in the App Library.
- Go To General — In the left sidebar, tap General so the right side shows system details.
- Tap About — At the top of the General panel, tap About to open the device info page.
- Find Model Name — Look for the Model Name line; this shows a clear label like “iPad Pro 11-inch (M4).”
- Reveal The Model Number — On the Model Number line, tap once; the part number switches to an “A” style code such as “A2567.”
The Model Name line already tells you what most buyers and accessory makers care about. The “A” style Model Number becomes handy when you match your device against Apple’s official “identify your iPad” page, where each code is tied to a year and generation.
Use Apple’s Online Model Lookup
Once you have the model number from Settings, you can double-check it against Apple’s own model list. On that list, you find every iPad model grouped by family, with years and main specs for each code. Many users open that page on a computer while keeping the iPad in hand, so they can compare more easily.
A good place to start is Apple’s identify your iPad model page, which maps each model number to its exact name, size, and release year. This gives you a firm answer when you decide whether a new accessory is compatible.
Check The About Screen For More Clues
The About screen also lists storage size, iPadOS version, and connectivity details. Those small clues narrow down your iPad model even more. Storage size also gives hints: 16 GB tends to belong to older models, while very large sizes such as 1 TB point to recent Pro lines. Cellular capability, listed as Network information, tells you that the device accepts SIM or eSIM plans.
Apple details what appears on this screen in its device info article for iPadOS, including model name, part and model numbers, serial number, and more, which you can review in the official iPad information guide.
How To Read The Model Number On The Back Of An iPad
If your iPad display is broken or locked, you can still find the model number by reading the fine print on the housing. This method works well on many older iPads and some newer ones, especially Wi-Fi only models.
Find The “A” Code On The Back
The rear shell of the device has a line of small text near the bottom. In that text you will see an “A” followed by four numbers, such as “A1893.” That code is your model number.
- Clean The Back Panel — Wipe dust and case marks so the etched line near the bottom is easy to see.
- Use Bright Light — Hold the iPad under a lamp or near a window so the text stands out against the metal.
- Look For The “A” Code — Scan the line until you spot an “A” with four digits; that is the model number you need.
- Match It To Apple’s List — Enter that code into a search engine together with the word “iPad,” or compare it to Apple’s model table.
Once you have that code, you can again match it on Apple’s model reference page to see the full product name and generation. This is the same list used by many resellers and repair shops when they label parts or trade-in categories.
Check The SIM Tray Or USB-C Area On Some Models
On a small set of recent iPad models, the model code moved away from the back casing. If you do not see the “A” code on the rear text, check the SIM tray area on cellular models, or look near the USB-C or Lightning connector for tiny markings. Use a bright light again, as these engravings can be very faint.
Ways To Find Out The Model Of Your iPad Step By Step
To keep things simple, you can treat iPad identification like a checklist. Start with the easiest method that fits your situation and move down only if you still need more detail.
| Where To Look | What You See | What It Tells You |
|---|---|---|
| Settings > General > About | Model Name, Model Number, storage size | Exact model, year range, and capacity |
| Back of the iPad | “A” style model code in small print | Precise model once matched to Apple’s list |
| Apple ID device list or computer | Device name and some specs | Enough detail to confirm which iPad it is |
If Settings is available, that route almost always gives the fastest answer. Physical markings and linked accounts act as extra cross-checks when you sell, gift, or recycle an iPad.
Use Your Apple ID To Confirm The Model
If you lost access to the iPad for a moment, or it is not with you, you can still see some details through your Apple ID. Any iPad signed in with your Apple ID appears in the device list on another Apple device or on the web, together with a short description.
- Open Apple ID Settings On Another Device — On an iPhone or Mac, open the Apple ID section in Settings or System Settings.
- Scroll To Devices — Look for the list of devices linked to that Apple ID.
- Select The iPad — Tap or click the iPad entry; you will see a label such as “iPad Air (3rd generation).”
You can perform a similar check on the web by signing in to your Apple ID page in a browser, then opening the device list. This method does not always display the full model number, yet it is a handy way to confirm which iPad belongs to which family when several are in the same house.
Check Model Details Through A Computer
If your iPad screen works but Settings crashes, or if you prefer a larger display, you can plug the iPad into a Mac or Windows PC. The Finder on macOS or Apple’s device tools on a PC show serial and model details for each connected device.
- Connect The iPad To Your Computer — Use the USB-C or Lightning cable that you normally use for charging.
- Open Finder Or iTunes — On a Mac with newer macOS versions, open Finder; on older Macs or Windows, open iTunes or the Apple Devices app.
- Select The iPad — In the sidebar, click the iPad icon under Devices.
- View The Summary Panel — On the General or Summary tab, you can see the serial number and, after clicking the label, the model identifier.
This route is handy when you already sit at a desk and you want to copy details into a message, listing, or repair ticket. Many of Apple’s help articles describe this method as an accepted way to confirm serial and model info when the device menu is hard to reach.
What To Do If Your iPad Will Not Turn On
A dead screen makes model checks less straightforward, yet you still have several options. Some rely on physical clues on the device itself, while others use packaging or account details that sit elsewhere.
Check The Device Body And Buttons
The physical design of the iPad narrows the field before you even read any text. You can look at button layout, presence of a Home button, connector type, and camera shape.
- Look For A Home Button — If the front has a round Home button, you are dealing with an older iPad line, not the latest bezel-thin Pro models.
- Check The Charging Port — A Lightning port usually points to older designs; USB-C is common on current lines.
- Note Camera And Flash Layout — Newer Pro and Air models often have more pronounced camera housings and may have a flash next to the lens.
Combine those clues with the model number etched on the back panel and you can place the device into the right product family, even if the battery is flat or the display stays dark.
Use The Original Box Or Receipt
Retail packaging and invoices often show precise product names and, in some cases, the serial number. If you bought the device new, check any box stored in a closet or attic before you give up.
- Scan The Box Label — Retail boxes carry a label with model name, storage size, color, and a small model code.
- Review Old Invoices — Receipts from Apple or approved resellers often list the full product name and capacity, which you can match in online model charts.
If you received the iPad second-hand, ask the previous owner if they still have paperwork or a digital receipt. Many email invoices mention the exact iPad model in the subject line or item description.
Check Online Accounts Linked To The Device
Trade-in services, carrier accounts, or third-party device-management portals sometimes store the serial and model name of a registered iPad. If you used such a service when you first set it up, log in and see whether the device list shows extra details that confirm which iPad you have.
Common Mistakes When Checking Your iPad Model
Even with clear menus and labels, it is easy to draw the wrong conclusion about which iPad you own. A few habits can help you avoid wrong accessory orders or mis-priced listings.
Relying Only On The Marketing Name
Apple reuses names like “iPad Pro” or “iPad mini” across more than one generation. A product page or invoice might only show that short name without the year or generation. If you match only that label against online specs, you might choose the wrong case or assume a feature exists that your older model does not have.
Whenever you see a short label, pair it with either the model number or at least the iPadOS version and storage size from the About screen. Together, these clues point to a much narrower list of possibilities.
Ignoring The Model Number Switch In Settings
On recent versions of iPadOS, the Model Number line in About shows a part number by default, not the “A” style code that Apple’s model tables use. If you copy that first number into a search, results might not show clear information. Tapping on that line switches it to the “A” code that matches Apple’s look-up tables, so that extra tap matters.
Not Cross-Checking When You Plan A Sale Or Trade-In
Before you list an iPad for sale, send it for repair, or hand it over as a gift, take a minute to match at least two sources: the About screen and the back of the device, or the model code and the description in your Apple ID device list. That short double-check cuts down on errors that might lead to returns, wrong parts, or unhappy buyers.
Put Your iPad Model Details To Work
Once you know the exact model of your iPad, you can shop for accessories with confidence, decide whether an upgrade makes sense, and share precise details with repair centers or trade-in services. The best approach uses more than one method: pull the Model Name and Model Number from Settings, read the “A” code from the device body if it is visible, then confirm those details on Apple’s model reference page.
These simple checks only take a few minutes, yet they remove a lot of guesswork when you depend on your tablet for work, study, or home use. The next time someone in your family asks which iPad they own, you will know exactly where to look and how to explain it in plain language.