Apple Plans to Switch to Randomized Serial Numbers for Future Products Starting in 2021 [Updated]

[robbietop]

Phew! I was worried they'd never change it.

 

[VulchR]

This. A mini QR code would be fantastic.

It would make the machines too thick.

 

[guzhogi]

I always take a pic with my phone and zoom/read it from there.

I do that sometimes, too. Unfortunately, there's not always enough contrast between the text & the rest of the case to read it legibly.

Use the diagnostics mode on mac, newer versions should display a barcode on screen

Not possible if the laptop doesn't start up or the screen is broken.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

It's also fairly common when I have to enter an office building or other facility where somebody at a security (or "security") desk inventories all entering and exiting laptops by serial number. Owners of laptops with easy-to-find and easy-to-read serial numbers breeze right through both ways. The few brave (foolish?) Mac owners like me have a much, much tougher time. Me: "There's the serial number in teeny, tiny print. See?" No, the security officer doesn't see it. Virtually nobody does, not without a magnifying glass. Of course there's no magnifying glass or it cannot be found, and then "hilarity" ensues at the security desk.

Or I suppose I could power up my Mac (if not already powered up), unlock my Mac, go to the Apple menu, select "About This Mac," and show the security officer the on screen serial number. And I could do all that in the "alien" place with recording cameras everywhere, with some unknown security officer ready to grab my laptop? No thanks.

That's a good use case, too. Perhaps print up your own serial number label that's bigger and easier to read? (I know, ruin the pristine look of the Mac!)

 

[Tucom]

"Hello? Yes, please give me your RANDOMIZED PRODUCT ID NUMBER THING for your iPhone" and then we can get you sorted, customer!

But seriously, this is cool. Props to them for thinking deeply about a generally previously mostly ignored issue.

 

[podlasek]

If they don't give a webpage to look up the info, this is bad.

 

[elconquistador]

Looks like this is now the case, iPhone 13 models now have a 10 digit serial number, crApple has used 11 and 12 digits in the past, I guess it is safe to assume that this is now in use, will be great to know if at least the configuration of the device can be derived from the serial number.

 

[JPack]

Looks like this is now the case, iPhone 13 models now have a 10 digit serial number, crApple has used 11 and 12 digits in the past, I guess it is safe to assume that this is now in use, will be great to know if at least the configuration of the device can be derived from the serial number.

LOL. You're a half year late.

Those random 10 digit numbers have been in place since iPhone 12.

Apple Begins Transition to Randomized Serial Numbers With Purple iPhone 12

More examples of the purple iPhone 12/mini, right from the Apple Store.

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