How to Find Your Mac's Unique Device ID

Where to find your Mac ID in System Settings

Your Mac ID is a unique identifier called a UUID (universally unique identifier) or serial number, depending on what you need it for. The fastest way to find it is through System Settings, which takes about 30 seconds.

Open System Settings, then click General in the left sidebar. Click About at the top of the right panel. You'll see several pieces of information: your Mac model, processor, memory, and storage. Scroll down slightly and you'll find Serial Number — that's your Mac ID. You can click the copy icon next to it to copy the number to your clipboard.

If you need the UUID instead (some software and IT departments ask for this rather than the serial number), you'll need to use Terminal, which is covered in the next section.

Key Takeaways

Your Mac's serial number is the most common form of Mac ID and appears in System Settings under General > About.
A UUID is a different identifier that some software and IT departments request instead of the serial number.
You can find your UUID by running a one-line command in Terminal without needing any special permissions.
Your serial number is printed on the physical Mac itself, usually on the bottom or back, if you need to verify it offline.

Finding your UUID using Terminal

If someone asks for your UUID (also called a hardware UUID or machine UUID), you'll need to open Terminal. This sounds technical but requires only copying and pasting one line of text.

Open Terminal — you can find it by pressing Command+Space, typing "terminal", and pressing Enter. Paste this line into the window and press Enter:

system_profiler SPHardwareDataType | grep "Hardware UUID"

Terminal will display a line that looks like this: Hardware UUID: 550E8400-E29B-41D4-A716-446655440000 (your actual UUID will be different). That long string of letters and numbers is your UUID. You can highlight it, press Command+C to copy it, and paste it wherever you need it.

What your serial number tells you

Your Mac's serial number encodes information about when and where your Mac was manufactured. The first few characters indicate the year and week of manufacture, and the rest identify the specific production line and unit number. Apple uses this to look up your Mac's warranty status and repair history.

You don't need to decode it yourself — Apple's support pages can look it up for you if you're checking warranty coverage or repair may be able to access. The serial number is also what Apple uses if you report your Mac as lost or stolen, so keeping a record of it in a safe place (like a password manager or a note in your email) is useful.

Finding your Mac ID on the physical device

Your serial number is printed on your Mac itself, which is helpful if you need to check it without turning the device on. On MacBook models, it's usually on the bottom of the case. On iMac and Mac mini, it's typically on the back or bottom. On Mac Studio, it's on the back.

The serial number appears as a barcode and as printed text. If you're selling your Mac, giving it to someone else, or sending it for repair, having the physical serial number visible can speed up the process. You can also take a photo of it for your records.

When you need your Mac ID and which one to provide

Different situations call for different identifiers. If Apple Support asks for your Mac ID, they usually want the serial number — that's what they use to look up your device in their system. If your workplace IT department asks for your Mac ID, they might want either the serial number or the UUID depending on their inventory system.

Software licenses sometimes ask for a Mac ID to tie the license to your specific device. Read what they're asking for carefully — if they say "serial number", use the one from System Settings. If they say "UUID" or "hardware UUID", use the Terminal method. If you're not sure, the serial number is the safer choice because it's the most widely recognized identifier.

Verifying your Mac ID is correct

If you've written down or copied your Mac ID and want to double-check it, the easiest way is to compare it to what's printed on the physical device. Open System Settings > General > About and look at the serial number, then compare it to the barcode or text on the bottom or back of your Mac. They should match exactly.

If you're checking a UUID, you can run the Terminal command again and compare the output to what you have on file. UUIDs are long strings that look random, so make sure you've copied the entire thing — missing even one character means it's not the same UUID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Mac ID the same as my Apple ID?

No. Your Apple ID is the email address and password you use to sign into iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. Your Mac ID is a unique identifier for the physical computer itself. You can use the same Apple ID on multiple Macs, but each Mac has its own unique serial number and UUID.

Can I change my Mac's serial number or UUID?

No. Both the serial number and UUID are set during manufacturing and cannot be changed through normal Mac settings. Attempting to change them would require modifying the Mac's firmware, which Apple does not support and would void your warranty.

What should I do if I can't find my serial number in System Settings?

If System Settings shows no serial number, your Mac may have a hardware issue. Try restarting your Mac and checking again. If it still doesn't appear, the Terminal command for UUID should still work. If neither method shows an identifier, contact Apple Support with your Mac model and purchase information.

Do I need my Mac ID to sell my Mac?

It's helpful to have it, but not strictly necessary. Buyers often ask for the serial number to verify the Mac's warranty status and check for recalls. Having it ready speeds up the process. You should also erase your Mac and sign out of iCloud before selling it, which removes your personal data and allows the new owner to set it up fresh.

Is it safe to share my Mac's serial number?

Yes, it's safe to share your serial number with Apple Support, authorized repair shops, or when selling your Mac. The serial number alone doesn't give someone access to your data or accounts. However, don't share it publicly online or with people you don't trust, since it could be used to impersonate your device in a support conversation.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.