sodcalculator

10 Tech How-To

Apple Support Coverage: Check iPhone, iPad, iPod or Mac

Guide 10-41000 · Updated · Step by step

Checking Apple support coverage shows whether a device may still be eligible for limited warranty service, AppleCare benefits, or other support options. You can look it up on the device or online using its serial number; have your Apple Account details available if you want to see devices linked to your account.

What You’ll Need

  • The iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac you want to check, or its serial number.
  • Internet access. To check coverage online, use Apple’s coverage page or the Support app where available.
  • Your Apple Account sign-in, if you want to find devices associated with your account or view account-specific coverage details.

Step-by-Step

  1. Choose the device you want to check. If you have several Apple devices, check each one separately. Coverage belongs to a particular device, not to every product on your Apple Account.
  2. Find its serial number. On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap General, then About. Scroll to Serial Number. On an iPod touch, use the same Settings path if available. On a Mac, open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac; the serial number appears in the overview. You can also look on the original packaging or receipt, if you still have it. Avoid posting the serial number publicly.
  3. Check on the device, if that option appears. On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap General > AppleCare & Warranty. Select the device to see available coverage information. Menu availability and details can vary by device and software version. On a Mac, use the Apple menu > System Settings, then look for General > AppleCare & Warranty. If the option is not shown, check online instead.
  4. Use Apple’s online coverage check. In a browser, go to checkcoverage.apple.com. Enter the device serial number and complete any on-screen verification. Follow the prompts to view the coverage status and available support options. Use Apple’s own site rather than an unofficial serial-number lookup service.
  5. Alternatively, use the Apple Support app. Open the app on a supported device and sign in to your Apple Account if asked. Choose the device from the list, then look for coverage or support details. If the product is not listed, add or select it using the app’s prompts, or use the serial-number method above.
  6. Read what the result actually says. Note whether the page shows limited warranty coverage, an AppleCare plan, a coverage end date, or that coverage has expired. Check the listed service and support details; a warranty status is not a guarantee that a particular repair will be free.
  7. Check that the result matches the device. Compare the product name or model shown with the device you are holding. If you are checking more than one product, record each serial number and result separately so you do not mix them up.
  8. Contact Apple Support if the details look wrong. Keep the serial number and proof of purchase handy. Ask Apple to review the coverage record, especially if a recent purchase is not recognized or a displayed date seems inconsistent with your purchase documents.

Common Mistakes

  • Entering the wrong serial number: Serial numbers can be long and contain characters that are easy to misread. Copy it from Settings or About This Mac when possible, and check it before submitting.
  • Confusing coverage with repair approval: Coverage information describes a plan or warranty status. Apple or an authorized service provider must assess the issue and determine applicable service under the plan’s terms.
  • Assuming every support option is included: Warranty, AppleCare, technical support, and service benefits are not interchangeable. Read the specific coverage details and terms shown for that device.
  • Checking the wrong product: A phone, tablet, computer, and accessory can each have separate records. Confirm the device name and serial number rather than relying only on the account’s device list.
  • Treating an expired result as a dead end: Expired coverage does not prevent you from contacting support or asking about available service options. It means the listed warranty or plan period has ended, not necessarily that the product cannot be serviced.

Tips

  • For a device that will not turn on, use its original box, purchase paperwork, or account device list to find the serial number. The location of a serial number printed on hardware varies by model.
  • Keep receipts and purchase confirmation emails. They can help resolve a coverage date or purchase-recognition issue.
  • Check the AppleCare & Warranty screen periodically if you need to confirm a plan’s displayed status. Plan availability, renewal, and service terms depend on the product and applicable terms.
  • If you are giving away or selling a device, do not share its serial number in a public listing. You can still provide a buyer with an appropriate way to verify coverage privately.

Troubleshooting

The website says the serial number is invalid. Re-enter it carefully from the device’s About screen or original packaging. Remove spaces or punctuation if you copied them along with the number. Make sure you are using the serial number, not a model number, IMEI, or other identifier.

The device does not appear in the Support app. Confirm that you are signed in with the Apple Account associated with the device. If it still is not listed, use the online coverage page and enter the serial number directly. A device can be checked by serial number even when it is absent from the app’s list.

The coverage date or status seems incorrect. Check the purchase date on your receipt and confirm that the serial number belongs to that exact device. Contact Apple Support with the purchase documentation and ask for the record to be reviewed. Do not assume that changing the date shown in device settings will update Apple’s coverage record.

The page will not load or verification fails. Check your internet connection, refresh the page, and try another browser or the Apple Support app. If a verification prompt is unclear, follow its instructions rather than repeatedly submitting guesses. You can try again later or contact Apple Support.

You cannot access Settings because the device is damaged or locked. Look for the serial number on the original packaging or purchase records, or use another signed-in device to find the product in your Apple Account or Support app. If you cannot locate it, ask Apple Support what information they can use to help identify the product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check coverage without the device?
Yes. Use its serial number on Apple’s coverage website, or select it in the Apple Support app if it is associated with your account.

Where do I find the serial number on an iPhone or iPad?
Open Settings > General > About and look for Serial Number. If the device is unavailable, check its packaging or purchase records.

Does “coverage expired” mean Apple cannot service my device?
No. It means the displayed warranty or plan period has ended. Contact Apple Support to ask what service options are available; charges and eligibility depend on the issue and terms.

Why does my recently purchased device show the wrong coverage date?
The purchase may not yet be reflected correctly, or the serial number or purchase record may need review. Contact Apple Support and provide proof of purchase.

Can I check coverage for an iPod?
Yes, if you have its serial number. Use the online coverage check. An iPod touch may also show coverage in Settings, depending on its software and available menus.

Is an Apple Account required?
Not for the serial-number check on Apple’s coverage website. Signing in can help you find devices linked to your account or see options in the Support app.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →