iPod: How to find the serial number

Summary

This article describes ways to find your iPod serial number. The content of this document also applies to iPod shuffle; however, see iPod shuffle: How to find the serial number for information on how to locate iPod shuffle's serial number on the device.

Products Affected

iPod nano, iPod shuffle, iPod mini, iPod, iTunes, iPod classic, iPod touch

There are several places where you'll find your iPod serial number:

• In iTunes
• On the back of your iPod
• In the iPod About screen
• On your iPod packaging
• On your iPod invoice or receipt

iTunes

1. Connect iPod to your computer.
2. When iPod appears in iTunes, select it on the left side of the iTunes window under Devices.
3. Click the Summary tab, and your iPod's serial number will display on screen. For iPod shuffle (1st and 2nd generation), click the Settings tab.

If your iPod is not currently connected to your computer, but has been connected to your iTunes library before, follow these instructions:

1. Hold down the Control key and choose Help > About iTunes (Windows) or iTunes > About iTunes (Mac).
2. Release the Control key.
3. As the iTunes and QuickTime version information scrolls, you will see the serial number of the last connected iPod as well as the last connected iPhone's serial number and IMEI.

Tips:

• Hold down the Option key (Shift key in Windows) to reverse the scrolling.
• Press the Space bar to pause the scrolling.
• You can copy this information to the Clipboard and and paste it into a document.
  
  In Mac OS X, choose Edit > Copy (or Command-C).
  In Windows, press Control-C.

Note: In iTunes, when you view the iPod serial number, you can choose Edit > Copy to put the serial number on the Clipboard. You can then paste the serial number into an email or web page (for registration, for example).

On the back of your iPod

If you have an iPod, iPod mini, iPod nano, iPod classic, or iPod touch, the serial number is engraved on the back metal case toward the bottom.

The picture above shows where the serial number is located on the back of an iPod and iPod nano.
If you have an iPod shuffle, the serial number is located on the back of the iPod behind the clip.

In the iPod About screen

You can find your serial number in the About screen on your iPod:

• iPod touch: Choose Settings > General > About.
• iPod classic: Choose Settings > About and press the Center button until you see the serial number.
• Other iPod models: Choose Settings > About.

On your iPod packaging

If you still have the original packaging for your iPod, you can find your iPod serial number printed on the barcode label that's affixed to the packaging.

On your iPod invoice or receipt

Your product invoice or receipt may list your iPod serial number.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1459