Sometimes it’s hard to know which AirPods you have just by looking at them, and the difference between AirPods gen 1 vs. AirPods gen 2 is even more difficult to spot. Learn how to find your AirPods model number on your iPhone or iPad and on the AirPods themselves and then how to tell what generation AirPods you have using that number.
Jump To:
- Which AirPods Do I Have? How to Find Your AirPods Model Number & Serial Number
- How to Identify AirPods Without Using Your iPhone or iPad
- How to Identify AirPods by AirPods Model Number (Model Number Lookup)
- Identify AirPods Using the Charging Case
Which AirPods Do I Have? How to Find Your AirPods Model Number & Serial Number
The most reliable and efficient way to identify AirPods or AirPods Pro is to find the model number on your device. Once you have the AirPods model number, it’s easy to answer the question, which AirPods do I have. However, if you have over-ear style AirPods, you may not need to use this step, as the AirPods Max are the only over-ear Apple AirPods currently on the market.
- Open the Settings app.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Find your AirPods (Example: Elisabeth’s AirPods).
- Tap the blue information icon next to the AirPods. The icon looks like a blue circle with the letter ”i” inside it.
- You will see Model Name, Model Number, Serial Number, and Version. If you are currently using your AirPods, you may need to scroll down in order to view this information.
Keep in mind that you may also see your Model Name on this screen and that can help, but by far the most accurate way is to look up your model number. Once you know your model number, click on it here to identify your AirPods:
A2084 • A2083 • A2032 • A2031 • A1523 • A1722 • A2096
How to Identify Your AirPods without Using Your iPhone or iPad
You’ll be looking very closely at your AirPods for this, so if you need visual assistance to read small text, be sure to grab your glasses or a magnifying glass.
- Look at your AirPods.
- If you have AirPods that are earbuds, look near the base of the stem of the earpiece. If you have over-ear headphones, look on the upper inside of the headphone, near where the over-ear piece connects to the headband. You will see some light gray numbers and text. The model number will be in the format A#### (an A with four numbers after it).
Image courtesy of Apple.com
How to Identify Your AirPods by Looking Up the Model Number
You can use your model number to identify the type of AirPods you have if you’re not able to identify them in some other way. Below is a list of model numbers and the year they came out. This will help you identify what type of AirPods you have and is the best way to answer the question how do I know if I have the AirPods First Generation or Second Generation?
AirPods Max
- Model number: A2096
- Year introduced: 2020
AirPods Pro Second Generation
- Model numbers: Not yet known
- Year introduced: Expected 2022
AirPods Pro
- Model numbers: A2084, A2083
- Year introduced: 2019
AirPods Third Generation
- Model numbers: Not yet known
- Year introduced: Expected fall 2021
AirPods Second Generation
- Model numbers: A2032, A2031
- Year introduced: 2019
AirPods First Generation
- Model numbers: A1523, A1722
- Year introduced: 2017
Identify AirPods Using the Charging Case
To use your charging case to identify the model of your AirPods, you will need to locate the status light and a couple of other details such as the charging method. The best way to determine what type of AirPods you have or the difference between AirPods 1 and 2 is by finding the model number from within the Settings app, but identifying the case can certainly help.
AirPods Max
Image courtesy of Apple.com
These are by far the easiest AirPods to identify, as the new over-ear design is unique to the AirPods Max. Still, it’s always good to know how to tell if AirPods are fake or legitimate, and this can help you do that!
AirPods Max do come with a Smart Case, but the case only preserves charge when the AirPods Max are in Ultra-low Power Mode. Otherwise, charging must be done with a Lightning cable.
AirPods Pro
Image courtesy of Apple.com
Charging case model number: A2190
The AirPods Pro charging case can be used with wireless chargers. The shape of the charging case is longer than it is tall. It has a Lightning connector at the bottom of the case. The status light is on the front of the case. The serial number is on the underside of the case lid. If this describes your AirPods charging case, you have the AirPods Pro.
AirPods 1st Generation or AirPods 2nd Generation
Image courtesy of Apple.com
Charging case model number: A1938
This AirPods charging case is taller than it is long. You can charge this case wirelessly or with a lightning cable. There is a Lightning connector at the bottom of the case. The status light is at the front of the case. The serial number is on the underside of the case lid. If this describes your AirPods charging case, you may have the AirPods 1st or 2nd Generation.
AirPods 1st Generation or AirPods 2nd Generation
Image courtesy of Apple.com
Charging case model number: A1602
This AirPods case has a Lightning connector on the bottom of the case. The status light is on the inside of the case. The serial number is on the underside of the lid. If this describes your Charging Case, you may have the AirPods 1st or 2nd Generation.
Now that you have found your model number and identified which type of AirPods you have, you can find the right accessories or ask specific questions to Apple Support when needed. You can also learn how to keep your AirPods from falling out and how to connect your AirPods to another iPhone.
