Device Identification Guide

How to Find Your Device Model Number

Complete guide to identifying your exact device model for Android phones, iPhones, Windows PCs, and MacBooks. Essential before ordering replacement screens.

Finding your device's exact model number is crucial when ordering replacement screens. Different methods work for different devices, and some methods provide more detailed information than others. This guide covers all methods: settings menus, command-line tools, and physical inspection.

Table of Contents

1. Android Devices

Method 1: Settings Menu (Easiest)

  1. 1. Open Settings app on your Android device
  2. 2. Scroll down and tap About Phone or About Device
  3. 3. Look for Model Number or Model Name
  4. 4. Also note the Serial Number and IMEI for additional verification

Note: The exact path may vary slightly by manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc.), but it's always under "About Phone" or "About Device".

Method 2: Dialer Codes (No Settings Access Needed)

IMEI Number

  1. 1. Open the Phone app
  2. 2. Dial *#06#
  3. 3. Your IMEI number will be displayed immediately

You can use the IMEI with online tools to identify your device model.

Device Information Menu

  1. 1. Open the Phone app
  2. 2. Dial *#*#4636#*#*
  3. 3. This opens a hidden testing menu with detailed device information

Note: This code may not work on all devices or carriers.

Method 3: ADB Commands (For Advanced Users)

If you have Android Debug Bridge (ADB) installed on your computer, you can get detailed device information via command line.

# Connect your Android device via USB and enable USB debugging
# Then run these commands in Terminal (Mac/Linux) or Command Prompt (Windows):

# Get device model
adb shell getprop ro.product.model

# Get device manufacturer
adb shell getprop ro.product.manufacturer

# Get device brand
adb shell getprop ro.product.brand

# Get device name
adb shell getprop ro.product.name

# Get all device properties
adb shell getprop | grep ro.product

Setup Required: You need to install ADB tools and enable USB debugging on your Android device. This method is best for developers or advanced users.

Method 4: Physical Inspection

  • ✓ Back of device: Many Android phones have the model number printed on the back cover
  • ✓ Battery compartment: If your device has a removable battery, check inside the battery compartment
  • ✓ SIM tray: Some manufacturers print model information on the SIM card tray
  • ✓ Original packaging: The model number is always printed on the original box

2. iPhone & iPad

Method 1: Settings Menu

  1. 1. Open Settings app
  2. 2. Tap General
  3. 3. Tap About
  4. 4. Find Model Name (e.g., "iPhone 14 Pro") and Model Number
  5. 5. Important: Tap on the Model Number to reveal the actual model identifier (starts with "A" followed by 4 digits, like "A2847")

Pro Tip: The model identifier (A-number) is what you need when ordering replacement parts. The model name (iPhone 14 Pro) may refer to multiple variants with different model identifiers.

Method 2: Terminal Commands (Mac)

If you have a Mac and your iPhone/iPad is connected, you can use Terminal commands to get device information.

# Connect your iPhone/iPad to your Mac via USB
# Open Terminal and run:

# Get device UDID (Unique Device Identifier)
system_profiler SPUSBDataType | grep -A 11 "iPhone\|iPad"

# Or use ideviceinfo (requires libimobiledevice)
ideviceinfo | grep -i "ProductType\|ProductName"

# Get device model identifier
ideviceinfo | grep ProductType

Note: The ideviceinfo command requires installing libimobiledevice. The Settings method is usually easier and more reliable.

Method 3: iTunes/Finder (Mac/Windows)

  1. 1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer
  2. 2. Open iTunes (Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later)
  3. 3. Select your device from the sidebar
  4. 4. Click on the serial number field to reveal the UDID and model identifier

Method 4: Physical Inspection

iPhone 7 and Earlier

The model number is engraved on the back of the device, usually near the bottom.

iPhone 8 and Later

  1. 1. Remove the SIM tray using the SIM ejector tool
  2. 2. Look inside the SIM tray slot
  3. 3. The model number is printed inside the slot

iPad

Check the back of the iPad for the model number, or use the Settings method above.

3. Windows PC

Method 1: Command Prompt (Fastest)

  1. 1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog
  2. 2. Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt
  3. 3. Type the following command and press Enter: 
wmic csproduct get name

This will display your computer's model name (e.g., "HP Pavilion 15", "Dell XPS 13", "Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon").

Additional Commands:

# Get manufacturer
wmic csproduct get vendor

# Get serial number
wmic bios get serialnumber

# Get all system information
systeminfo

Method 2: System Information (GUI)

  1. 1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog
  2. 2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter
  3. 3. In the System Information window, look for System Model under the System Summary section
  4. 4. Also check System Manufacturer for complete information

Method 3: PowerShell (Alternative)

PowerShell provides another way to get system information:

# Open PowerShell and run:

# Get computer model
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_ComputerSystem | Select-Object Manufacturer, Model

# Get detailed system information
Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object CsManufacturer, CsModel

4. MacBook

Method 1: About This Mac (Easiest)

  1. 1. Click the Apple menu (🍎) in the top-left corner
  2. 2. Select About This Mac
  3. 3. The window displays the Mac model name and year (e.g., "MacBook Pro 16-inch, 2023")
  4. 4. Click System Report or More Info for detailed information including model identifier

Model Identifier: In System Report, look for "Model Identifier" (e.g., "MacBookPro18,1") which is the technical model number used for parts ordering.

Method 2: Terminal Commands

Terminal provides quick access to detailed Mac model information:

# Get model name
sysctl -n hw.model

# Get model identifier
system_profiler SPHardwareDataType | grep "Model Identifier"

# Get complete hardware overview
system_profiler SPHardwareDataType

# Get serial number
system_profiler SPHardwareDataType | grep "Serial Number"

# Alternative: Get serial number using ioreg
ioreg -l | grep IOPlatformSerialNumber

Output Example: sysctl -n hw.model returns something like "MacBookPro18,1" which is the model identifier you need for ordering parts.

Method 3: System Information (Detailed)

  1. 1. Hold Option key and click the Apple menu
  2. 2. Select System Information
  3. 3. In the Hardware section, find Model Identifier and Model Name

Method 4: Physical Inspection

  • ✓ Bottom case: Flip your MacBook over and look at the bottom case. The model number and serial number are printed near the regulatory markings
  • ✓ Original packaging: The model number is always printed on the original box
  • ✓ Apple Support: Visit checkcoverage.apple.com and enter your serial number to get detailed model information

5. Verification Tips

✓ Always Verify Using Multiple Methods

  • ✓ Use at least 2 different methods to confirm your model number
  • ✓ Cross-reference with your device's original packaging if available
  • ✓ Check manufacturer's website using your serial number for verification
  • ✓ Take a screenshot or photo of the model information for reference

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Generic Model Names

Don't just say "iPhone 14" - you need the specific model identifier (A-number) because different variants (Pro, Pro Max, Plus) have different screens.

Confusing Serial Number with Model Number

Serial numbers are unique identifiers but not the same as model numbers. You need the model number/identifier for ordering parts.

Not Checking Regional Variants

Some devices have different model numbers for different regions. Make sure you're using the correct regional variant.

Before Ordering: Double-Check Checklist

  • □ I have verified my model number using at least 2 methods
  • □ I have the complete model identifier (not just the name)
  • □ I have checked the manufacturer's website to confirm compatibility
  • □ I have saved a screenshot or photo of the model information
  • □ I have compared my model number with the replacement screen listing

Tip: When ordering replacement screens, make sure to verify your device model number using at least two methods from this guide to ensure compatibility.

Related Guides

Buy Replacement Screen

Complete guide to buying replacement screens with your verified model number.

Measure Screen Size

Learn how to measure your screen size to confirm compatibility.