Where to Find the Serial Number on your Cherokee
The first step is to locate the radio's serial number.
Based on the head unit type installed in your 2021 Cherokee, the S/N can be found either through the display menu or by pulling the unit out and checking the label on the radio itself.
Follow the steps below to identify your serial the right way.
Identify Your 2021 Cherokee's Factory Radio
The 2021 Cherokee continues with the Uconnect 4 family. There are three factory head units to identify across the trim ladder: one 7-inch UAG and two 8.4-inch variants that differ only in built-in navigation.
Uconnect 4 (UAG) is the 7-inch touchscreen, non-NAV. Standard on Latitude, Latitude Lux, Altitude and Freedom. Visual ID: smaller 7-inch display centred in the dash opening with bezel filling the surround; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, but there is no built-in NAV app or Map tile on the home screen. Most common radio in this model year.
Uconnect 4C (UAS) is the 8.4-inch touchscreen, non-NAV. Standard on Trailhawk and Limited, optional upgrade on lower trims. Visual ID: large 8.4-inch screen filling the dash opening, CarPlay and Android Auto present, but no Map/NAV tile because navigation is not built in.
Uconnect 4C NAV (UAQ) is the 8.4-inch touchscreen with built-in GPS. Standard on Overland and the 80th Anniversary Edition, frequently optioned on Limited. Visual ID: identical 8.4-inch bezel and screen size to UAS, but the home screen carries a dedicated NAV/Map tile and on-board maps are bundled.
Telling UAS apart from UAQ is purely a software check - identical hardware face, but only UAQ shows a Map/NAV tile and on-board maps.
Check the Display First - Serial Retrieval Without Tools
The method for 2021 Jeep Cherokee is this:
The Jeep Cherokee KL (2014–2023) came with three different Uconnect configurations. The first step is identifying which one you have, because each uses a different method to access Dealer Mode.
8.4" Classic (2014–2018): Hold Fan Up + Fan Down + Front Defrost for 5 seconds → Dealer Mode. Navigate: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number. Also works via Engineering Menu: hold Temp Up + Temp Down for 5 seconds.
Uconnect 7" (all years with this screen): Hold Temp Up + Temp Down for 5 seconds → Engineering Menu opens. Navigate: System Info → Target Main Data → Serial Number.
8.4" NEW (2019+): Press the bottom-left + bottom-right plastic bezel edges simultaneously until Dealer Mode opens. Navigate: System Info → Radio Part Info → Serial Number. Serial: 14 characters, e.g. T00AM394958584.
Screen-Based Serial Lookup Method
2021 Cherokees continue with the Uconnect 4 line-up - 8.4-inch UAQ NAV, 8.4-inch UAS non-NAV and the smaller 7-inch UAG. The radio serial number can normally be read on screen through a hidden dealer/diagnostic menu, although some 2021 builds with newer Uconnect software may have dealer mode access tightened.
Uconnect 4C 8.4 (UAQ / UAS)
Switch the ignition to RUN/ACC and wait for the Uconnect interface to finish booting. Press and hold the driver-side temperature UP, the driver-side temperature DOWN, and the front DEFROST buttons together for roughly 5-10 seconds. If the climate-button method does nothing, press and hold the bottom-left and bottom-right corners of the screen at the same time for about 5-10 seconds. Browse to the radio/system info section to read the serial number on screen, then photograph the screen so each character can be transcribed without typos.
Uconnect 4 7-inch (UAG)
Place the ignition in RUN/ACC and let the screen finish loading. Press and hold both temperature UP and temperature DOWN buttons together for around 5-10 seconds to enter the engineering menu, then open System Info / Target Main Data to view the serial number on screen. Snap a photo of the display so the digits can be copied accurately.
Releasing the Radio Unit to Access the S/N on the Tag
If the serial number cannot be accessed on-screen, use the pull-out method.
Most Jeep Cherokee factory radios include a label with the serial number printed on the housing.
Process details:
- Disable power.
- Gently detach surrounding mounting frame.
- Loosen screws holding the radio.
- Move slightly to inspect the label.
📹 Video Guide: Jeep Cherokee Radio Removal
Watch step-by-step tutorials for removing your Jeep Cherokee radio:
2014-2016 Cherokee KL
2019 Cherokee
General Cherokee
Need a different Cherokee year or model? Search YouTube for more Cherokee tutorials
Written Instructions
Physical Radio Removal (if Dealer Mode is unavailable)
If the on-screen method does not work on your vehicle, the radio can be physically removed to access the serial number label on the top, side, or back of the unit:
- Remove the trim bezel – Gently remove the dashboard trim surrounding the radio using a plastic trim removal tool. The bezel is held by friction clips.
- Unscrew the mounting bolts – Remove the 4 mounting screws (usually Torx or Phillips) securing the radio to the dash frame.
- Slide the unit forward – Gently pull the radio out far enough to see the label. Do not disconnect the wiring harness unless necessary.
- Locate the serial number label – Locate a white or silver sticker with a barcode on the top or side of the unit. The serial number is a 14-character alphanumeric code (e.g.
T00AM394958584).
For detailed instructions with video tutorials for specific vehicles, see our Uconnect radio removal guide.
Cherokee's Hardware Label Method
If dealer mode has been restricted on a 2021 Cherokee by a Uconnect software update, the printed chassis label still carries the radio serial. The Uconnect 4 head unit on the KL Cherokee sits inside a centre stack with the climate cluster below, so methodical removal is essential.
Safety first. Switch the ignition off, take out the key, disconnect the negative battery terminal, and wait a few minutes before touching wiring. Avoid the yellow airbag/SRS connectors entirely and use plastic trim tools so nothing shorts or breaks.
Tools you will need. Plastic trim removal kit, Phillips and small Torx bit set, 7mm/10mm socket set, flashlight.
Removal overview. Pry the centre stack bezel free with a plastic trim tool starting at the bottom edge and working up the sides; on the KL Cherokee the bezel sits next to the climate cluster, so keep pressure even. Unplug any switch/HVAC connectors at the rear of the bezel before laying it on a clean cloth. Remove the screws (typically four, two upper and two lower) holding the radio cage to the support bracket, slide the radio rearward, and disconnect the antenna lead and the multi-pin power/data harness on the back.
Where the serial sits. The serial number is printed on a barcode/sticker label on the top or side of the radio chassis, alongside the part number and supplier markings.
Tips. Photograph the label up close and double-check ambiguous characters such as 0/O, 1/I and B/8 before submitting the serial. If working around airbag wiring is uncomfortable, have a professional installer take the unit out for you.
Example: Jeep Cherokee serial number label location
Serial Number Format Guide for 2021 Jeep Cherokee
Your Jeep Cherokee 2021 radio serial number may start with:
T00AMT00BETM9T0MYDA2CTQNTVPQNT0071T00AD
Standard Serial Number Patterns on This Radio
The factory radios on the 2021 Cherokee follow the standard Mopar/Uconnect serial style, with the prefix depending on the Uconnect tier and the supplier (Visteon, Continental, Harman or Panasonic) that built the unit.
Uconnect 4C 8.4 (UAQ / UAS)
The serial is typically a 14-character alphanumeric string printed on the chassis label. It commonly begins with T - frequent prefixes include T00AM, TM9 and TQ1 - or with A2C on Continental-built variants. The serial is usually a continuous run of letters and digits with no dashes or spaces.
Uconnect 4 7-inch (UAG)
The 7-inch UAG unit usually carries a Mopar/Harman or Panasonic-style serial printed on the chassis sticker, so the label on the unit itself is the authoritative reference. Always copy the serial exactly as printed and avoid guessing characters that look unclear.
Final Step - Enter the Radio Code
Once you have the radio serial and retrieved the unlock code, the next step is entering it into your radio.
Jeep factory radios display a ENTER CODE message when ready for input.
The process is usually straightforward, but button layouts and confirmation methods may vary depending on the radio version installed in your Cherokee.
In-depth Entering Instructions for Cherokee 2021
To input the unlock code on your Uconnect radio:
- When the radio is locked, the screen will display "ENTER CODE" or show four dashes (----).
- Use the on-screen keypad (touchscreen models) or the preset buttons (non-touchscreen models) to enter each digit of your 4-digit code.
- After entering all 4 digits, the radio will unlock automatically – no need to press a confirm button.
Tip: Be sure you enter the code carefully. Three incorrect attempts will trigger a temporary lockout.
Correct Entering Process
Once the unlock code is in hand, the 2021 Cherokee Uconnect head unit can be unlocked directly at the dash - no scan tool or dealer visit required.
Limited attempts. Mopar/Uconnect head units only accept three incorrect tries before the radio drops into a WAIT state, so verify every digit before pressing it.
Entering the code. Place the ignition in RUN/ACC so the radio powers up but the engine stays off. Wait for the display to show CODE, Please enter Anti-Theft Code, or a similar prompt. On the Uconnect 4C 8.4 (UAQ/UAS), tap the on-screen number pad and confirm with the OK/Enter touch button. On the Uconnect 4 7-inch (UAG), use the on-screen keypad - or the numbered preset buttons if the unit prompts for them - to enter the code in sequence.
If a wrong code was entered. If WAIT appears after incorrect attempts, leave the radio powered with the ignition in RUN for the documented cool-down period (about 30 minutes; the vehicle may be driven during this time) before trying the correct code again.
From Serial Number to Unlock Code for your Jeep Cherokee - Explained
- Rather than relying on Jeep dealership lookup or online threads you can find the code online using the radio S/N.
- Identify the serial number. It is always present on the unit itself, and sometimes you can see it on the Cherokee's radio screen.
- Type it into the form above, and the system will identify the correct 2021 Cherokee unlock code.
- When you receive the code, type it in using Cherokee's radio controls to release the blockade successfully.
- The entire process takes less than a minute for most users and requires minimal effort.
Understanding Unlock Issues with Your Cherokee
Common issues:
- part number instead of serial
- missing characters
- Incorrect prefix
Seeing SAFE or WAIT?
This is a temporary lock.
Leave the radio powered and wait until the code input returns.
Look for missing confirm steps, wrong input methods, or disabled buttons during lockout.
Check:
- S/N accuracy
- digit placement
- correct enter key
Common mistakes:
- part number vs serial
- extra spaces or missing characters.
Try turning the radio off/on or disconnecting the power briefly.