What iPad model do I have? 3 ways to find out in a minute

Apple has sold many iPads, and several look almost the same. You usually need the exact model when you buy a case, check if an app will run, look up a repair or get a trade-in estimate. The name on the box is long gone, so you need another way to find it. There are three, and the first takes about a minute.

Why does the exact iPad model matter?

A case that fits one iPad Air will not fit another, and a charger or a keyboard may work with some models and not others. An accurate estimate for a trade-in needs the right model. So does a repair quote. The model also decides which version of iPadOS you can install. If you are thinking about selling, our guide on what to do with an old iPad uses the same lookup.

What iPad model do I have? Check Settings first

This is the easiest method and works if the iPad turns on. Apple's page gives the path.

Write down that A-number. It is the key to everything below.

Find the model number on the back of the iPad

Some iPad models show the model number on the back cover in small print. If your iPad will not turn on, or you cannot sign in, this is the method to try. Apple's page says that many entries in its list mention the back cover, although some newer entries do not name a location.

If the back does not show it, Apple says to look inside the USB-C or Lightning connector. Use bright overhead light and read the upper side, which is the side with the display. It is tiny, so a magnifier or the zoom on a second phone camera helps. Do not push anything into the port.

If the iPad will not turn on at all, you may still find the number, but you should also try the steps in what to do when an iPad won't turn on.

Identify the iPad by how it looks

If you cannot read a number, Apple's list also describes each model by its features. These are the clues it uses:

• Sensor: Face ID, or Touch ID in the top button, or Touch ID in a Home button.
• SIM tray: a nano-SIM tray, or no tray at all for an eSIM only iPad.
• Cameras: the camera layout on the back, and whether there is a front Ultra Wide camera on the landscape edge.
• Display: the display type and the color of the front bezel.
• LiDAR: a LiDAR Scanner on the back on some Pro models.

These clues narrow it to a family, such as iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini or the standard iPad. The A-number is still the way to be sure.

How do I read the A-number?

Apple's Identify your iPad model page lists each A-number next to a name, a year, and often a storage range. The ending tells you the connectivity type:

• Wi-Fi: no cellular modem.
• Wi-Fi + Cellular: a cellular model, with its own number.
• China mainland only: a separate number for that region on some models.

Some older entries list more than one A-number for the same configuration. For example, Apple lists A2069 and A2232 for the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular. Here are a few entries from the newer part of Apple's list, as a sample of how it looks.

This is only a sample from the page as we read it on October 27, 2026, and Apple adds new rows. Always check Apple's current page for your number. Apple's list also covers the iPad Pro M4 models, the iPad Air M2 models and older generations, back to the iPad 2.

What if my number is not in the list?

Check it again carefully. The letter O and the number 0, or 3 and 8, are easy to mix up in small print. If it still does not match, try Settings once more or ask an Apple Store to look it up. Also remember that the list can change after a new release.

What iPad generation do I have?

Apple does not publish a rule that turns an A-number into a generation. Instead its list gives the name next to each number, such as the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation). Use the name in that row. Do not guess from the year the iPad was bought, because many people buy older models later.

How do I find the serial number too?

Apple's trade-in page says that for an accurate iPad estimate you need the serial number, and it points to Settings, General, About. It is on the same screen as the model number. Tap and hold it to copy it. Keep it with your purchase receipt, because stores and repair centers often ask for it.

What to do with the model name

Now that you know the name, you can do something with it. Here are the common next steps:

• Buying a case or a charger: search with the full name, such as iPad Air 11-inch (M3), not just iPad Air.
• Selling it or trading it in: use the exact name and storage size. See how to sell, trade in or recycle it.
• Checking for updates: go to Settings, General, Software Update to see if your iPad is on the latest version it can run.
• Fixing a problem: search the name and the problem, for example if the iPad will not charge, read our iPad charging guide.

If you are about to reset the iPad, see how to factory reset an iPad, and note your model and serial number first.

How are the iPad families different?

Apple sells several families, and knowing which one you own makes the list easier to read. This overview is general background, so use Apple's list for the exact details.

• iPad: the standard model, usually the lowest priced, and the one most families and schools buy.
• iPad mini: the small one, around the size of a paperback book.
• iPad Air: a middle model that comes in two sizes in recent years.
• iPad Pro: the most powerful model, with the best display and extra features such as a LiDAR Scanner on some versions.

Inside each family there are generations, and some families have two screen sizes. That is why the model number, and not just the family name, is the thing to write down.

Can I tell which iPadOS my iPad can run?

Your model decides this. Each new version of iPadOS supports some iPads and leaves older ones behind. Apple publishes a list of supported models on its iPadOS pages, so match your model name from the steps above to that list. If your iPad cannot run the newest version, it can still be useful, but it may miss new features and, over time, new app versions. To see what your iPad is running now, open Settings, General, About and look at Software Version.

Common mistakes when identifying an iPad

• Using the part number: the first thing you see next to Model Number is a part number. Tap it to get the A-number.
• Mixing up Wi-Fi and cellular: the cellular model has its own number, so check the ending of the row.
• Going by the year you bought it: stores sell older stock for years. Use the A-number.
• Trusting a listing: if you buy a used iPad, check the model in Settings yourself and do not rely on the seller's words.

iPad model number vs IMEI

People mix these up. The model number identifies the type of iPad. The IMEI identifies a specific cellular unit, and only cellular models have one. If you need the IMEI for a carrier or a lost device report, our guide on finding an IMEI number shows where it is.