apple-serial-lookup

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.

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 <SERIAL>

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 <SERIAL> specs" or "<SERIAL> site:everymac.com"
• Fallback: web_fetch from https://everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords=<SERIAL>

If EveryMac is blocked by captcha, try:

• https://appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php?sn=<SERIAL> (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