How to find device information before contacting support

Support asks what device you have, and the answer is not always obvious. You may need its model, operating system version, processor, or screen details before anyone can help.

Start with the System Info tool to see key hardware and network details in one place. Then check your device settings for its model and operating system version, and send support a short description of the problem.

Find and record your device information

1. Open the System Info tool. Review the processor, graphics, screen, battery, and network details it shows. There is nothing to install.
2. Write down the relevant values exactly as displayed. Include units when shown, such as a screen resolution, and note if a section or value is unavailable.
3. Find your device model and operating system version in your device settings. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › About. On macOS, open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings › General › About. On Android, look for Settings › About phone; the wording can vary by manufacturer.
4. Write down what is going wrong, when it started, and any exact error message. If the problem happens only in one app or browser, include its name and version too.

You do not need to send every detail to every support team. Keep the full list for yourself, then share the information that matches the issue and the questions in the support form.

What the information means

Processor and graphics

The processor, sometimes called the CPU, handles general computing tasks. Graphics, sometimes called the GPU, draws images and video. Their names can help support check whether a feature or app is compatible with your computer. A name by itself does not prove that either part is faulty.

Screen

Screen details can help explain blurry text, an unexpectedly small or large interface, or an image that does not fit. If the problem concerns an external monitor, say which screen is affected and whether it is connected by cable or wirelessly. A listed resolution describes the screen mode, not whether the monitor itself is damaged.

Battery

The battery section may not appear on every device. Battery Meter and other browser pages can show battery data only when the device's browser reports it, which is usually on laptops, tablets, and phones. If there is no battery information, note that rather than guessing at the charge level or health.

Network

Network details can give support context about the current connection, but they do not by themselves establish that your internet service is fast or reliable. Say whether you were using Wi-Fi or a wired connection, and describe what happened, such as a page failing to load or a call dropping.

Memory and other missing details

If support asks how much RAM your device has, do not treat a browser estimate as an exact figure. Browsers may expose only a rounded hint about memory. Check your operating system's device information instead, and tell support if you cannot find an exact value.

Give support details they can act on

A useful support request is brief, specific, and reproducible. Include the device model and operating system version, then describe the problem in the order it happens. For example, say which app you opened, what you clicked, what you expected to happen, and what happened instead.

• Include the exact error. Copy the message as it appears, or describe what you see if there is no message.
• Say when it happens. Note whether the problem is constant, started after an update, or occurs only on a particular network or screen.
• List what you already tried. This helps support avoid asking you to repeat steps and shows which fixes changed nothing.
• Attach a screenshot only when useful. Check it for private messages, account names, email addresses, or other information support does not need.

For a broader guide to checking computer specifications, see How to check your computer specs without installing apps.

Share device details safely

Device information is useful for troubleshooting, but share it only through the company's official support channel. A serial number or device identifier may be needed for a warranty request, but avoid posting it publicly. Never send a password, one-time verification code, or recovery key as part of a support request.

The System Info tool reads details in your browser, so you can gather the information without installing a separate utility.