Where can I locate the Order Number for my iPod, iPhone, or iPad? Are Order Numbers unique? What are the limitations identifying a specific device using Order Numbers? @ Everyi.com

iPod, iPhone & iPad Identification Q&As (ID iPods, iPhones & iPads)

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Where can I locate the Order Number for my iPod, iPhone, or iPad? Are Order Numbers unique? What are the limitations identifying a specific device using Order Numbers?

When referring to iPods, iPhones or iPads, Apple Order Numbers -- which also are referred to as Model Numbers, Part Numbers, or Marketing Numbers -- in the US as well as some other countries look like MA623LL/A. Sometimes an Order Number when printed will end in just an "LL" (i.e. MB499LL) and occasionally will end with a "/B" in lieu of "/A."

Order Numbers can be found in many places -- on receipts, invoices, packaging, shipping information, product information sheets, brochures and other assorted documentation.

For the iPod touch line as well as all iPhone and iPad devices -- all models that run the iOS -- Order Numbers also can be found within the operating system by selecting Settings > General > About. Somewhat oddly, within the iOS, this number is referred to as the "Model" -- not to be confused with the different Model Number on the back of each device -- and drops the suffix if one was listed in print.

In these examples -- from Everyi.com's own collection -- the Order Number (then called a "Part Number") for the Original iPod (Scroll Wheel) is from the bottom of its packaging (left) and the Order Number (called "Model") for the iPod touch (4th Gen) is as displayed within iOS (right):

Photo Credit: Everyi.com (Left - M8513LL/A, Right - MC540LL)

Order Numbers are unique and refer to a specific configuration, capacity, and/or color of a specific iPod, iPhone or iPad. As a result, these are the best identifier to distribute as they are safer to share than Serial Numbers and easier to read than externally listed Model Numbers.

Unfortunately, Order Numbers cannot be found on the hardware itself and this is the primary limitation of the identifier. If an iPod, iPhone or iPad won't turn on and other documentation like a receipt or packaging is not readily available, there is no way to identify a specific model using the Order Number identifier. iPod models that are not powered by the iOS (all iPods except for the iPod touch line), likewise cannot be identified using the Order Number if only the hardware is available even if it will turn on.

Another limitation of Order Numbers is that the numbers can vary in different countries. For example, the 8 GB configuration of the iPod touch 4th Gen was assigned an Order Number of MC540LL/A in the US (and many other countries), but in Australia it was assigned MC540ZP/A, in Brazil MC540BZ/A, in Japan MC540J/A, and in China MC540CH/A.

However, Everyi.com's Ultimate iLookup feature is "smart enough" to identify models by Order Number if one just enters the first five characters. Consequently, a user in China, for example, can just enter MC540 to identify this particular iPod.

It also is worth noting that Everyi.com only lists the most common MC540LL/A Order Number for this model within "Quick Specs" on the iPod, iPhone and iPad "By Series" pages as well as the "By Year" pages, but lists all Order Numbers on the specs pages for each individual device. The Ultimate iLookup feature likewise is "smart enough" to identify the correct model if one enters an Order Number not listed within "Quick Specs" as long as it is listed in the By Identifier section of the site under Order Numbers.

Also see:

Where can I locate the Model Number on my iPod, iPhone, or iPad? Are they unique? What are the limitations identifying a specific device using this identifier?
Where can I locate the EMC Number on my iPod, iPhone, or iPad? Are EMC Numbers unique? What are the limitations identifying a specific device using EMC Numbers?
Where can I locate the Model Identifier (Model ID) for my iPod, iPhone, or iPad? Are Model Identifiers unique? What are the limitations identifying a specific device using the Model Identifier?
Where can I locate the Serial Number on my iPod, iPhone, or iPad? What is a Serial Number "Snippet"? Are Serial Number "Snippets" unique? What are the limitations identifying a specific device using the Serial Number?

If you cannot find an iPod, iPhone or iPad using its Order Number, but are able to track it down using another identifier, please share any missing information with Everyi.com. Thank you.

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