PC, smartphone, and other device manufacturers often offer similar tools, allowing you to check warranty eligibility with a serial number.

All you can see is whether a device is activation-locked or not. Checking is often useful when you’re buying an iPhone or iPad from someone on Craigslist, for example. But this isn’t really sensitive information. This is a security feature that prevents iPhone thieves from wiping and activating phones. You can see if the device can be activated, or if it’s locked.

RELATED: How to Check the Activation Lock Status of an iOS DeviceĪpple also allows you to check an iPhone or iPad’s “Activation Lock” status using just its serial number. But this isn’t exactly very private information. If you give Apple the serial number, they can trace when you purchased the device. For example, if you have an Apple product, you can use a serial number to check whether a device is still within its warranty period and whether you can purchase AppleCare coverage. Serial numbers are generally used for warranty service and repairs, but not for much else. For example, you’ll find an iPhone’s serial number at Settings > General > About. Instead, it’s available through the software. The serial number is often not printed on smartphones. For example, on Apple’s MacBooks, you’ll see the serial number printed on the bottom next to the “Designed by Apple in California” text. Even if you don’t see a sticker, you’ll often find a serial number printed on the device itself. On a desktop PC, you may see the serial number on the back of the PC, or on a sticker inside the case. Turn a device over-whether it’s a laptop, mouse, or keyboard-and there’s a good chance you’ll see a serial number. This number is often placed in a sticker somewhere on a device. RELATED: How to Find the Serial Number or IMEI for your iPhone or iPad

Manufacturers wouldn’t be able to track individual devices without some sort of unique identifier. Manufacturers can use serial numbers to see where a device came from and when it was manufactured, so serial numbers can help identify if there’s a problem somewhere in the manufacturing process.

Apple serial number to model