Have you ever tried to buy a case for your iPad, only to find that you have no idea which one fits your iPad? That’s because, unlike iPhones, Apple doesn’t name its iPads well. While you’d have no problem finding a case for an iPhone 12 Pro Max, there are multiple tablets named “iPad Pro.” How do you know which iPad is yours?
First, a quick history lesson — Apple released the first iPad (named, of course, iPad) in 2010. Since then, the company has issued many iterations of iPad, while also coming out with three additional variants — iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPad Pro.
The first step to identifying your iPad is to figure out what Apple calls it. The easiest way is to open your Settings app, tap “General,” then “About.” Here, check out “Model Name” — that will give you the specific name for your iPad. For example, my iPad says “iPad Air 2,” so I’m all set.
It’s not always the most straightforward process, however. Apple’s first 11-inch iPad Pro, for example, simply says “iPad Pro (11-inch)” under Model Name. If you picked up Apple’s second 11-inch iPad Pro, it would say “iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation),” but because you have the first, Apple doesn’t specify what generation it is. That can make buying the right products for your iPad a bit confusing.
With this article, however, finding your iPad’s unambiguous model name is simple. To start, head back to Settings > General > About, then tap the number next to “Model Number.” It should be an A, followed by four numbers (A2152). If you can’t power on your iPad, you can also find the number on the back.
Now, take that model number, locate it in the list below, and you’ll find your specific iPad’s name to the right. This name is the one case makers will use on their products, so you know you’re getting the right one for your iPad. Model numbers with asterisks (e.g. A2069*) denote Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad models.
iPad Pro
A2229 / A2069* / A2232* — iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th Generation)
A1876 / A2014* / A1895* — iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd Generation)
A1670 / A1671* — iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd Generation)
A1584 / A1652* — iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st Generation)
A2228 / A2068* / A2230* — iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd Generation)
A1980 / A2013* / A1934* — iPad Pro 11-inch (1st Generation)
A1701 / A1709* — iPad Pro 10.5-inch
A1673 / A1674* / A1675* — iPad Pro 9.7-inch
iPad Air
A2316 / A2324* / A2325* / A2072* — iPad Air (4th Generation)
A2152 / A2123* / A2153* — iPad Air (3rd Generation)
A1566 / A1567* — iPad Air 2
A1474 / A1475* / A1476* — iPad Air (1st Generation)
iPad Mini
A2133 / A2124* / A2126* — iPad mini (5th Generation)
A1538 / A1550* — iPad mini 4
A1599 / A1600* — iPad mini 3
A1489 / A1490* / A1491* — iPad mini 2
A1432 / A1454* / A1455* — iPad mini (1st Generation)
iPad
A2270 / A2528* / A2429* / A2430* — iPad (8th Generation)
A2197 / A2200* / A2198* — iPad (7th Generation)
A1893 / A1954* — iPad (6th Generation)
A1822 / A1823* — iPad (5th Generation)
A1458 / A1459* / A1460* — iPad (4th Generation)
A1416 / A1430* / A1403* — iPad (3rd Generation)
A1395 / A1396* / A1397* — iPad 2
A1219 / A1337* — iPad (1st Generation)
Cover image by The Morning Compute
