3 Ways to Check How Old Your MacBook Is in 2026

If you want to know how old your Mac is, you have come to the right place. In this guide, you will learn three easy ways to find out the age of your Mac.

The quickest method is to click the Apple logo in the top-left corner, select “About This Mac,” and check the Year shown — that is the release year of your Mac model.

There are many reasons why you might need to know the age of your Mac — troubleshooting issues, upgrading to the latest macOS, or setting a fair trade-in price. The same applies when buying a second-hand Mac, so you don’t accidentally buy an outdated model.

What to Know Before Finding Mac Age

Unlike other laptop brands, Apple has a simple naming system. They distinguish models by the year and period of release. For example, the MacBook Pro (mid-2020) is different from the MacBook Pro (2020). If you want to see all Apple models and their specs, visit the Apple support links below:

1) Find Mac Age Using the Apple Menu

The first and simplest method is to check directly from the Apple Menu — no serial number or commands needed.

Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner
Select About This Mac from the dropdown
A window opens showing the model name, year, RAM, processor, and serial number

The Year shown is the release year of that particular model, not the date you purchased it. You can use this to calculate your MacBook’s age, and if you are planning to sell it, price it according to the market rate.

Note: The Apple MacBook Pro (Early 2020) will be different in specs and model from the Apple MacBook Pro (Late 2020).

2) Find Mac Age Using Apple Support (Serial Number)

Your serial number is a unique identifier that can be used to find your Mac’s exact age and warranty status. You can find it on your purchasing invoice, on the box, on the white sticker on the back of your Mac, or via Apple Menu → About This Mac.

Find your serial number (from the back of your Mac or via About This Mac)
Go to the Apple Check Coverage page
Paste the serial number, solve the captcha, and click Continue

The page will show your Mac’s age, warranty status, and AppleCare+ coverage. If you need more information, visit the Apple support website.

3) Find Mac Age Using Apple ID

If you don’t have access to your MacBook and have lost the box, you can still find its age using your Apple ID.

Open a browser and go to the Apple ID page — log in with your Apple ID
Click the Devices option on the left sidebar — all your Apple devices will be listed
Click the device whose age you want to know — a popup will show its serial number
Go to the Apple coverage page and enter the serial number to find its age

FAQ (How Old is My Mac?)

Below are some commonly asked questions about finding your Mac’s age.

How long should Macs last?

The average lifespan of a Mac depends on usage. If used with care, a Mac can last from 5 to 8 years.

Which lasts longer — MacBook Pro or MacBook Air?

Both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are equipped with the M-series chips, making them equally fast. However, the MacBook Pro has a more rigid build quality and generally lasts longer than the MacBook Air.

How do I check my Mac’s serial number?

Click the Apple menu → About This Mac. The serial number is listed in the Overview window. You can also find it on the white sticker on the bottom of your Mac, or on the original box or invoice.

Final Words

Knowing the age of your Mac can be handy in many ways. While most MacBook models look similar, there can be significant differences in their specs between years. Use the methods above to find your Mac’s age and make informed decisions about upgrades, repairs, or resale.

3 Ways to Check How Old Your MacBook Is in 2024