That’s not how random works, the key point here is that the serial numbers will no longer hold that information.
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Apple Planning Switch to Randomized Serial Numbers for Future Products Starting in 'Early 2021'
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Agree...Apple is making it more difficult for customers to troubleshoot!...Maybe, my credit card will stop swiping!...LOL
Apple would not go the added cost of this change if they did not have something they were trying to hide.
Interesting... if I were Apple, I would want to know when/where products are manufactured... if there a recurring quality issue, you got to be able to trace it back... so Apple will have that traceability just not visible to consumers anymore, or not yet
Possible correlation with redesigned Macs getting released?
Here we got an Apple Advisor. Lol
Sometimes I feel like there is a special think tank inside Apple that takes current features that work perfectly fine and then totally screws them up for the sake of change. It has happened many times already. Totally reminds me of the governing body of California, same exact tactics.
My guess is "random" refers to the numbers, not their method of assignment. Apple will still need to know all the numbers and their details for service purposes. Usually this is done with an encryption method to make the number appear random with the cipher.
Apple is clearly trying to hide something, otherwise why bother changing serial number mechanism? I bet Apple will definitely do it if serial number can be hidden from customers and they will only reveal it using their internal tools.
Back in 2018-ish Apple stopped releasing iPhone sales number, which is another interesting move to make certain analysts life harder.
Apple really likes black box magic thingy it seems.
Back in 2018-ish Apple stopped releasing iPhone sales number, which is another interesting move to make certain analysts life harder.
Apple really likes black box magic thingy it seems.
What does pirate product are you referring to?
Are you talking about Hackintosh? If yes, for longest time, since Apple switch to Intel, why only now? When Hackintosh is half dead anyway.
How would you know if BOE is being use on your particular purchased iPhone?
If Apple use BOE, then I am sure it met Apple’s standard. Then why are you worried about BOE.
Anyway, BOE display is already been used for refurbished iPhone sold in United States.
Serial number aside, they perhaps will also have a machine configuration number. That would solve the problem of SN misuse.
So when your brand new iPhone/Mac has a crap screen you won't know why.
That's why they're obscuring them
That's why they're obscuring them
Come era of Apple Car, the VIN will not tell you anything about the car. It will be encrypted/randomized. 
Though its critical for the auto industry, perhaps not applicable to electronic devices the same way. Of course Apple will know everything about all systems though customer won't. I am wondering whether it relates to cyber security at all.
Though its critical for the auto industry, perhaps not applicable to electronic devices the same way. Of course Apple will know everything about all systems though customer won't. I am wondering whether it relates to cyber security at all.
Hardly anything new.
Dell has been using random alphanumeric "Service Tags" (serial numbers) for decades.
What this makes more difficult is any service program that relies on serial numbers. It'll be up to Apple to determine if your serial is valid for service programs. Is your device new or refurbished? Soon, only Apple will know.
Dell has been using random alphanumeric "Service Tags" (serial numbers) for decades.
What this makes more difficult is any service program that relies on serial numbers. It'll be up to Apple to determine if your serial is valid for service programs. Is your device new or refurbished? Soon, only Apple will know.
Might want to lay off of that Apple drug a little...
I wonder if it has something to do with the Class Action Lawsuit Over Apple Providing Refurbished Replacement Devices?
I think this is about protecting Apple from fraudulent repairs in China.
"The fraudsters also obtained customer records and serial numbers for iPhones that had already been sold in China, configuring the returning iPhones with the stolen serials, and even etching the numbers on back covers. Apple then developed another screening method which checked if serial numbers of submitted devices are already being used with Apple's online services on other iPhones."
appleinsider.com
"The fraudsters also obtained customer records and serial numbers for iPhones that had already been sold in China, configuring the returning iPhones with the stolen serials, and even etching the numbers on back covers. Apple then developed another screening method which checked if serial numbers of submitted devices are already being used with Apple's online services on other iPhones."
Rampant Chinese iPhone repair fraud forced Apple to develop countermeasures | AppleInsider
Apple has spent the last five years combatting fraud relating to iPhone repairs in China, where parts were stolen from working iPhones and were submitted for repair under warranty, a problem that reportedly cost billions of dollars and forced Apple to investigate.
Per the article above, this probably has more with Apple trying to prevent something rather than trying to hide something.
Why else do you think Apple is suddenly changing their S/N scheme?
If the California class action wins, Apple has to provide new, not refurbished devices for all AC+ buyers. That's a huge loss in profit.
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