Get Targeted Hardware Reports with system_profiler

Print only the hardware section you need — serial number, battery, storage, network — as text or JSON.

macOShardwareinventorysystem_profilerLow risk

Run `system_profiler SPHardwareDataType` for the machine summary, or add `-json` for scriptable output.

01Command

Command

$ system_profiler SPHardwareDataType

02What it does

system_profiler is the engine behind System Information.app, and each DataType flag prints one section: SPHardwareDataType (model, serial, chip), SPPowerDataType (battery), SPStorageDataType, SPNetworkDataType, and dozens more. `system_profiler -listDataTypes` enumerates them all, and `-json` makes the output trivially parseable with jq. Full reports take seconds per section — always request specific types instead of running it bare.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

SYSTEM_PROFILER Command: Report macOS system hardware and software configuration
SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Documents system_profiler data types, -json output, and -detailLevel for targeted hardware reports.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: System & Settings

06Related solutions

Dump the USB Device Tree with system_profiler

macOShardwareusbDiagnostics

Scriptable System Information: every USB device, hub, speed, and power draw in JSON.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17