How to Find Out What iPad You Have
Not sure which iPad model you're working with? You're not alone. Apple has released dozens of iPad variants over the years — across the iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro lines — and they can look nearly identical on the outside. Knowing your exact model matters more than you might think: it affects which apps you can run, whether your device supports the latest iPadOS, and whether accessories like Apple Pencil or keyboard cases will actually work.
Here are every reliable way to find out.
Check Settings First — It's the Easiest Method
The fastest route is directly through your iPad's software:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap General
- Tap About
Look for two key fields:
- Model Name — This tells you the plain-English name, like iPad Air (5th generation) or iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
- Model Number — This is a letter-number code (like A2696) that uniquely identifies your exact hardware variant
The Model Name is what most people need for day-to-day questions. The Model Number is what you'll need when checking compatibility for accessories, repairs, or trade-in values.
Use the Model Number to Look Up Exact Specs 📋
The model number is more precise than the name alone. Apple sells the same generation of iPad in different configurations — different storage capacities, Wi-Fi vs. Wi-Fi + Cellular, and different regions — and each has its own model number.
To tap into the model number field in Settings, it toggles between two formats:
- FCC/regulatory number (starts with letters like MPLW3LL/A)
- Part number (starts with A followed by four digits, like A2696)
The A-number is what you want. Once you have it, search it directly on Apple's website or in Apple's iPad identification support page to get the full breakdown: chip generation, display size, storage options, supported accessories, and maximum iPadOS version.
Check the Back of the iPad
If your iPad won't turn on or you need the model number without navigating menus, look at the back casing. On most iPad models, Apple engraves small regulatory text near the bottom. Somewhere in that text — often on the last line — you'll find the model number beginning with A.
The engraving is small, so good lighting helps. On newer iPad Pro models with a flat back design, it's typically centered at the bottom edge.
Find the Serial Number for Deeper Identification
Your serial number is different from the model number but equally useful. You can find it in Settings > General > About under Serial Number.
With the serial number, you can:
- Check your warranty status and coverage at Apple's coverage checker
- Verify whether your device is eligible for any repair or replacement programs
- Confirm the exact purchase configuration if the model name alone is ambiguous
The serial number also encodes the manufacture date and facility, though decoding that isn't necessary for most users.
Check the Original Packaging
If you still have the box your iPad came in, the model number and full configuration are printed on the label — typically on the side or back. This also shows storage capacity and color, which Settings won't always surface in one place.
Why Knowing Your Exact Model Actually Matters
This isn't just a curiosity question. Your iPad model determines several practical things:
| Factor | Why Your Model Matters |
|---|---|
| iPadOS compatibility | Older models stop receiving updates at a certain point |
| Apple Pencil support | 1st gen, 2nd gen, and USB-C Pencil each work with specific models only |
| Keyboard/Magic Keyboard | Connector type and sizing vary by generation |
| App compatibility | Some apps require specific chip generations (M1, M2, A-series) |
| Repair parts | Wrong generation = wrong screen, battery, or connector |
| Trade-in value | Generation and storage tier significantly affect estimates |
For example, an iPad Pro and an iPad Air can look nearly the same physically, but their internal chips, display technologies (ProMotion vs. standard refresh), and accessory ecosystems differ meaningfully.
When Models Are Easily Confused 🔍
A few pairs that trip people up regularly:
- iPad (9th gen) vs. iPad (10th gen) — The 10th generation switched to USB-C and a redesigned form factor; the 9th kept Lightning and the older design
- iPad Air vs. iPad Pro — Both use a flat-edge design, and some generations share the same chip; they differ mainly in display spec and ProMotion support
- iPad mini 5 vs. iPad mini 6 — The 6th generation was a complete redesign with USB-C and Touch ID on the power button rather than the home button
If you're trying to match an accessory, repair part, or software feature to your device, the model name alone may not be enough — the A-number model code removes the ambiguity completely.
What About an iPad You Don't Own Yet?
If you're looking at a used or secondhand iPad and want to verify what you're actually getting, ask the seller to navigate to Settings > General > About and show you the Model Name and Model Number directly. Don't rely on the seller's description or the box alone — configurations changed between revisions even within the same named generation.
Your specific model, storage tier, and which version of iPadOS it's currently running will shape what you can actually do with it — and whether any accessories you already own will work with it.