So, you own a Apple’s trend-setting Mac, iPhone or iPad, and you don’t remember exactly when you bought it. Did you get the extended warranty? The receipt is “somewhere” and you’re worried that your baby is about to go off warranty. Here’s what to do.

Well, the first thing you need is your Mac, iPad or iPhone’s serial number. On a Mac, go to the Apple Menu (upper left corner of the display), click “About This Mac” and then click the “More Info” button.

Double-click the number indicated and copy

Now, navigate back to Safari, click Get Warranty, paste (or type) in your serial, select your country and then click “Continue.” The resulting page will display your product’s status: 1.) Coverage: Out of Warranty, 2.) Coverage: AppleCare Protection Plan.

If you’re out of warranty, any service will be charged and that can be quite expensive.

If you’re still under warranty and want to find out the specific date when AppleCare ends, click “More Information” next to the words “AppleCare Protection Plan.”

See also Apple’s How to find the serial number

For iPod and iPhone owners, the easiest way to find out your product’s serial number is to tether it to your Mac, then select it in iTunes left hand tray. Click “Summary” and the serial number is displayed next to the image of your device. In this case, however, you can’t simply double-click the number and copy it — you’ll need to manually type it in.

Have tip about Apple warranty service or AppleCare? Share an anecdote and a link in the comments below…