TL;DR
Follow these steps to find what year is your MacBook:
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner.
- Choose About This Mac.
- A window will show your Mac’s model and year.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Whether you’re upgrading or selling your MacBook, knowing the year it was made is important. After running into this problem myself, I figured out some easy ways to find it.
2 Methods to Find What Year is My MacBook Pro or Air
How We Check Our Guides We use Apple’s support documents and current developer instructions to check the steps. Screenshots and menu names can differ between versions, so follow the branch for your Mac. Read our editorial process.
Below, I’ve shared detailed steps of two methods to help you find out what year your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air was produced:
1. From the Apple Menu
The Apple menu is a simple and direct way to identify your MacBook Pro or Air model and year. Follow these steps to find your Mac’s model and year from the Apple Menu:
- Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of your MacBook’s screen and select About this Mac.
- A window will appear displaying essential information about your Mac, including the model and year.
- Here, you will find the model name and year of your MacBook Pro or Air. For example, it might state MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2020) or MacBook Air (15-inch, Mid 2018). This information indicates the specific model and the year it was first released.
2. From Apple’s Support Site
Apple’s support site also offers a convenient and reliable solution to identify the specific model of your Mac. Here’s how to determine your Mac’s model and year from the Apple Support site:
Warning ⚠️: Be cautious when entering your MacBook’s serial number online. Only use official Apple websites to avoid phishing scams.
- If you can access your MacBook, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and select About This Mac. The window that appears will display the serial number. Make a note of it.
- Open a web browser on any device and navigate to Apple’s Check Coverage page.
- Enter or paste your MacBook’s serial number into the provided text box on the Check Coverage page.
- Sometimes, you may be asked to log in using your Apple ID. You can use any Apple ID for this step; it’s not necessary to use the same ID you use to log into your Mac.
- After entering the serial number and completing the necessary verification steps, you will see detailed information about your MacBook.
🔍 The serial number on your MacBook can reveal more than just the model year; it also contains information about where and when it was manufactured.
Easily Find Your MacBook’s Year
Now that you know how to find out what year my MacBook is, here are a few more tips to learn more about your Mac:
- If you’re buying or upgrading a MacBook, check what software comes with MacBook Air and Pro.
- For those who game a lot, it’s worth knowing if MacBooks are good for gaming before investing in one.
- Understanding the typical lifespan of a MacBook can give you insight into how long your device might last.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does knowing the year of my MacBook Pro or Air benefit me?
Can I upgrade my MacBook Pro or Air based on the production year alone?
Is there a limit to how old a MacBook can be before upgrading is necessary?
Affiliate disclosure: MacBook Journal may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
How helpful was this article?
Your feedback helps us improve our guides.
