Skip to Content

How Can You Tell Which iPad You Have?

By Author Turner Tomlinson

Posted on Last updated:

Are you trying to figure out exactly which iPad model you’re currently using? Don’t worry; figuring out the model number is a breeze.

The quickest way to check which iPad you’re using is to turn over your device and look at the information written on the back. There, you’ll find the model number as well as the serial number. Searching the model number online will reveal the generation, color, and amount of storage space.

There are several reasons why you might need to know your iPad’s model, including selling the device and getting support for any technical issues. Let’s take a closer look at how to determine your iPad model.

How Can You Figure Out Which iPad You Have?

Lifestyle with modern woman using tablet or Ipad with hand holding touchscreen

Discovering the model number of your iPad is the quickest and easiest approach to start your research into the specific iPad model you hold. The very first approach does not even require that you power on your iPad; all you need to do is check the back of your device.

You’ll see “iPad” written there, and below that, you’ll see “A” followed by a series of numbers in smaller print. That is the number of your model.

Alternatively, open your device’s Settings app. Tap General > About. In this section, you should see the name of your iPad, the software version you’re using, and the name of your iPad model. You will also see a model number under this information.

It’s very likely that you’ll notice that the model number printed on the back of your device is completely different from the one that’s shown here. It’s an internal SKU, so that’s why.

However, this model number provides additional information about your iPad that isn’t necessary in most circumstances. If you do a Google search for the SKU model number, you should get results that tell you the device’s generation, model, amount of storage, and cellular configuration.

What Do iPad Model Numbers Mean?

Not only does the model number of an iPad designate which generation of iPad it is, such as the iPad 2 or the iPad 4, but it also distinguishes between iPads that have data connectivity (4G LTE) and iPads that can only connect using WiFi.

For example, the iPad 2 has data connectivity, while the iPad 4 only has WiFi connectivity. Therefore, every iPad has two model numbers, regardless of the generation or size. In addition, the About section in the iPad’s Settings provides access to the device’s model number.

This model number identifies both the model and the amount of storage space available in the iPad; nevertheless, the iPad can’t be located on the Apple website by using this model number.

Alphanumeric codes also identify the week and year of manufacture, which are considerably easier to read than the other information. Using the serial number’s fourth character, you can tell if the device was manufactured in the first or second half of the given year.

iPhones’ serial numbers carry additional information, including details about the device’s color and the amount of storage space it has.

This information is contained in the last four digits of the serial number for iPhones manufactured after 2010; the ninth, tenth and eleventh characters indicate the iPhone’s generation and color, while the last character indicates the iPhone’s storage space.

Attempting to decode the serial numbers that may be found on Apple products can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. If you’re interested in fixing your item yourself, for example, identifying the factory or date of production will help you determine which replacement parts are required.

In addition, if you’re having trouble troubleshooting issues with your device, it can be helpful to understand the structure of the serial number, as there are known faults that can occur on items built in certain factories or on specific dates.

Every iPad Generation and Model (So Far)

Young man using ipad tablet pc at the office workplace

It’s hard to believe how many iPads have been made since the first one came out almost 10 years ago. Apple is rumored to be switching to ARM processors, and the latest iPad Pros are getting close to the performance of laptops. This makes it almost certain that there will be many more.

Each generation of iPad has its own model number. Find out which version you have by looking up your model number in the tables below. You can also find your model number in the tables by pressing Ctrl + F or Command + F and typing in your model number. This will bring up the appropriate table.

There are four kinds of iPads: the iPad, the iPad mini, the iPad Air, and the iPad Pro. Each table is for a different iPad.

If the model number of your tablet isn’t listed below, you can always directly search for it on Google, or you can just head over to the official model identification page on Apple’s website, which also contains all of the distinctions in appearance.

iPad 9th Generation

  • Display: 10.2″Retina display, True Tone
  • Storage: Up to 256 GB
  • Wide Camera: 8MP
  • Front Camera: 1.2 MP
  • Chip: A13 Bionic
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

iPad 8th Generation

  • Display: 10.2″Retina display
  • Storage: Up to 128 GB
  • Wide Camera: 8MP
  • Front Camera: 12 MP
  • Chip: A12 Bionic
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

iPad 7th Generation

  • Display: 10.2″Retina display
  • Storage: Up to128GB
  • Wide Camera: 8MP camera
  • Front Camera: 1.2 MP
  • Chip: A10 Fusion 
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

iPad 6th Generation

  • Display: 9.7″Retina display
  • Storage: Up to 128 GB
  • Wide Camera: 8MP
  • Front Camera: 1.2 MP
  • Chip: A10 Fusion 4th Generation
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

iPad 5th Generation

  • Display: 9.7″Retina display
  • Storage: Up to 128 GB
  • Wide Camera: 8MP
  • Front Camera: 1.2 MP
  • Chip: A9 chip with 64-bit 
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

iPad Air 5th Generation

  • Display: 10.9″Liquid Retina display
  • Storage: Up to 256 GB
  • Wide Camera: 12MP
  • Front Camera: 12MP
  • Chip: Apple M1 chip with 64-bit
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

iPad Pro 12.9-in. 5th Generation

  • Display: 12.9″Liquid Retina XDR display
  • Storage: Up to 2 TB
  • Wide Camera: 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra-Wide
  • Front Camera: 12MP
  • Chip: Apple M1 chip with 64-bit
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

iPad Pro 12.9-in. 4th Generation

  • Display: 12.9″Liquid Retina display
  • Storage: Up to 1 TB
  • Wide Camera: 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra-Wide
  • Front Camera: 7 MP
  • Chip: A12Z Bionic chip with 64-bit
  • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours

Conclusion

You likely have an idea of which model iPad you’re using. But sometimes you need to confirm this information and get some additional details about your device.

Fortunately, you don’t need to be an Apple Genius to figure it out. Nevertheless, it’s necessary to know where and what to search for.