Your iPhone 7’s serial number is a 12-character code that identifies that specific phone. You’ll need it for Apple support, warranty and AppleCare checks, repairs, insurance claims, and when selling the phone. This guide covers every place to find it: in Settings, on a computer, on the box, in your Apple Account, and what to do if the phone won’t turn on.
Quick Answer
Open Settings > General > About and look for Serial Number. Touch and hold it to copy it.
Method 1: Settings on the iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap General, then About.
- Find Serial Number. Touch and hold the number and tap Copy to paste it into an email, form or note.
The same screen shows the Model Number (tap it to switch between the part number, such as MN8X2LL/A, and the A-number, such as A1778) and, further down, the IMEI.
Method 2: On a Computer
- Mac with macOS Catalina or later: connect the iPhone, open Finder, select the iPhone in the sidebar, and click the gray text under the phone’s name until the serial number appears.
- Windows PC or older Mac: connect the iPhone, open iTunes or the Apple Devices app, click the phone icon, and look on the Summary or General page. Click the phone number to cycle to the serial number.
Method 3: Your Apple Account
- On another Apple device, open Settings, tap your name, and scroll to your device list. Or go to account.apple.com in a browser and sign in.
- Select the iPhone 7 in the Devices list to see its serial number, model and IMEI.
This works even if the iPhone is lost, as long as it was signed in to your Apple Account.
Method 4: The Original Box or Receipt
The retail box has a barcode label with the serial number and IMEI. Carrier or store receipts often list it too.
What About the Back of the Phone or the SIM Tray?
The iPhone 7 doesn’t print its serial number on the case. The SIM tray is engraved with the IMEI, not the serial number. If you have the IMEI, Apple Support can usually look up the phone from it.
If the iPhone Won’t Turn On
- Check the box, receipt or your Apple Account device list.
- Connect it to a computer; the serial number may appear in Finder or iTunes if the phone is recognized even with a black screen.
- Pull the SIM tray to read the IMEI and give that to Apple Support.
What You Can Do With the Serial Number
- Check warranty and AppleCare status at Apple’s Check Coverage page.
- Confirm the exact model and capacity before buying or selling a used iPhone.
- Book a repair or file an insurance claim.
Only share the serial number with people you trust, such as Apple or your carrier.
Serial Number vs. IMEI
| Serial number | IMEI | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 12 letters and numbers on the iPhone 7 | 15 digits |
| Issued by | Apple | Cellular industry standard |
| Used for | Warranty, support, repairs | Carrier activation, blocking lost or stolen phones |
| On the SIM tray | No | Yes |
For more on the IMEI, see how to find the IMEI number on an iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the serial number to find a lost iPhone?
No. Use Find My instead. The serial number helps if you report a theft to police or your insurer.
Does the serial number change after a repair?
It stays the same unless the whole unit is replaced, in which case the replacement has a new serial number.
Why do newer iPhones have shorter serial numbers?
Apple moved to randomized 10-character serials on newer devices starting around 2021. The iPhone 7 uses the older 12-character format.
Summary
- Settings > General > About > Serial Number.
- Or connect to Finder, iTunes or the Apple Devices app.
- Or check your Apple Account device list, the box or the receipt.
- The SIM tray shows the IMEI, not the serial number.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.