Apple Serial Lookup

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name: apple-serial-lookup description: Look up Apple device information from a serial number. Supports iPhones, iPads, Macs (MacBook, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, Mac Studio), Apple Watch, Apple TV, and iPods. Use when a user provides an Apple serial number and wants to identify the device, check specs, manufacturing date/location, warranty status, or get detailed model information.

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Apple Serial Lookup

Identify any Apple device from its serial number by combining local decoding with web lookups.

Workflow

1. Decode locally (old 11-12 char format)

Run the bundled decoder script:

python3 scripts/decode_serial.py 

This extracts:

Manufacturing location and date

Model codes and configuration identifiers

Model identifier (e.g., MacBookPro10,1, iPhone9,1) when known

Basic specs (RAM, storage options) from built-in database

The script includes a database of common model codes compiled from repair sources and EveryMac.

2. Web lookup for complete specs and unknown models

For full specifications or unknown model codes, perform web lookup:

Primary: web_search for "Apple serial number specs" or " site:everymac.com"

Fallback: web_fetch from https://everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords=

If EveryMac is blocked by captcha, try:

https://appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php?sn= (may need browser)

Search for the model code (e.g., "Apple DKQ model identifier") to match to a specific device

For new-format (post-2021) serials, web search won't help — direct the user to check Apple's coverage page themselves:

Apple Check Coverage: https://checkcoverage.apple.com/ (requires captcha, but returns device model + warranty status)

This is the only reliable source for randomized 10-character serials

Apple switched to randomized serials starting in late 2020/early 2021 (beginning with iPhone 12 and M1 Macs), fully rolled out across all products by 2021

3. Present results

Combine local decode + web data into a comprehensive summary:

Enhanced Output (from local decode):

Device: Model name and identifier (e.g., MacBook Pro 15" Mid-2012, MacBookPro10,1)

Serial: Full serial number

Manufactured: Location, week, year (e.g., ~Week 38, Sep 2012, Quanta Shanghai)

Specs: RAM and storage options from built-in database

Model Codes: Last 4 characters with decode attempt

Web Enhancement (when needed):

Exact processor specifications

Complete technical specifications

Warranty status (Apple Check Coverage)

Current market value

Reference

Serial format & encoding: references/serial-format.md

Model code database: references/model-codes.md - mappings from model codes to device specs and model identifiers

The model code database is continuously expandable as new mappings are discovered.

Notes

Old format (12 chars): decodable locally for location/date, web needed for exact model

New format (10-14 chars, 2021+): fully randomized, web lookup is the only option

IMEI numbers (15 digits) are NOT serial numbers — note this if a user provides one

The script outputs JSON for easy parsing

Old format (12 chars): decodable locally for location/date, web needed for exact model

New format (10-14 chars, 2021+): fully randomized, web lookup is the only option

IMEI numbers (15 digits) are NOT serial numbers — note this if a user provides one

The script outputs JSON for easy parsing