How to check a Mac Mini OS without opening the box?

You should be able to downgrade the Mac OS.

Booting whille pressing Shift-Option-Command-R should install the oldest version that will run on that computer.

https://support.apple.com/HT204904

You can also get other versions.

How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support

Malcolm J. Rayfield wrote:

You should be able to downgrade the Mac OS.

The OP's Macs are supposedly brand new in the box so they cannot be downgraded from the original OS which shipped from the factory. The only exception is if the specific Mac model existed prior to the release of the later OS and that specific model did not change at all.

• For example:
• Mac model A was released in July 2021 and shipped with macOS Big Sur.
• macOS Monterey is released Oct. 2021.
• Mac model B has new hardware and was released in Nov. 2021 after the release of Monterey so it shipped with macOS Monterey.
• Mac model A is still being sold in Dec. 2021 with the exact same hardware that was originally sold in July. It is now shipping with macOS Monterey.

Mac model A that was sold in Dec. 2021 usually can be downgraded to Big Sur.

Mac model B cannot be downgraded to Big Sur since Big Sur does not contain the necessary drivers for the newer model. or the newer hardware.

If they were purchased directly from Apple and were purchased at some date after the release of macOS Monterey, they will an all likely hood have Monterey installed. If they were purchased more recently the will certainly have Monterey on them.

If they were purchased via a third party reseller, then there is no real way of knowing what is installed as there is know knowing how long they were sitting on the shelf before being shipped.

The other thing, you could try contacting apple directly and send a list of the serial numbers and they can determine manufacture date and what was installed.

We do not seem to be communicating very well. You have inventory of these items, date sent, model numbers. With this information and the links I have given you you should be able to figure out what MacOS is on the Mac Minis.

dsufariu wrote:

I would like to know the IOS without opening the box for Mac Minis

That is very easy. There is no iOS on a Mac Mini as iOS is for Apple's iPhones (although iPads, iWatch are usually considered iOS as well despite the recent name change).

If you need an OS that is older, then open the oldest Mac Mini in the stack. Means you only need to open one box.

That would depend upon year and M1 or Intel processor. Following is one set of specs for the M1 that says Monterey:

Mac mini - Technical Specifications - Apple

You can figure out the year according to the Model using the following Link:

Identify your Mac mini model - Apple Supportport

Identify your Mac mini model - Apple Support

Open one of them and assume the same for the rest. There's really no other way.

Ouch. You’ll need to open all of them and power them on. Have a nice day!

Why does it matter what version of Mac OS is on them? Updating the OS is the first thing that should be done on a new computer so you get the latest security updates.