How to transfer ownership of a used mac?

[_Skyfire_]

Hey!

I'm going to buy a new used mac fairly soon, given that it passes all the hardware tests. The previous owner bought it off ebay and sent me a screencap of their order. However they don't possess the original receipt.
Is it possible for me to obtain the official ownership rights? (Think; for servicing the computer in apple store etc.)

 

[MDARFUS]

Hey!

I'm going to buy a new used mac fairly soon, given that it passes all the hardware tests. The previous owner bought it off ebay and sent me a screencap of their order. However they don't possess the original receipt.
Is it possible for me to obtain the official ownership rights? (Think; for servicing the computer in apple store etc.)

[doublepost=1503434843][/doublepost]If you can get the "new" Mac to show up under your Apple ID as a registered device, than you should have no trouble getting service from Apple.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205064

That said, with all the two-factor authentication, signing into iCloud, "Find my Mac", GameCenter log-ins, etc, etc... it's very easy for the previous owner to "forget" to completely disconnect the device from their Apple ID account, and leave you stuck with a Mac that doesn't want a new owner.

Do your research, and check out the Mac in person before you buy it. Chances are if they have wiped it clean, and reinstalled a fresh OS without signing into any Apple ID accounts, then you should be fine

I am by no means an expert, and this is just my two cents, no guarantees, outcomes may vary.

Good luck!

 

[TheTruth101]

I am selling my Mac and here are the steps I took.
https://www.imore.com/how-to-prepare-mac-for-sale

I turned off Find my Mac, logged out from iCloud, logged out from iTunes. And reformat the drives.

 

[_Skyfire_]

Thank you for the responses thus far they have been very helpful!
We agreed the previous owner does a factory reset, and I'll check it out on a new install, including making sure they are signed out of all relevant accounts.
So if I understand you correctly I don't need proof of transaction, just ownership of the mac in the digital universe?

 

[Mal]

Thank you for the responses thus far they have been very helpful!
We agreed the previous owner does a factory reset, and I'll check it out on a new install, including making sure they are signed out of all relevant accounts.

So an important point to make: An erase and install (factory reset) does not remove their Apple ID from the Find My Mac feature, which means it will still be registered in their name and locatable. If you can completely redo the partitioning scheme, that will work, but I've found it doesn't want to let you on many systems now. Best to have them sign out of iCloud directly before they erase anything.

 

[_Skyfire_]

Best to have them sign out of iCloud directly before they erase anything.

That's good to know. I believe they already did the factory reset earlier since it's today we are meeting up. I'll have to ask if they in fact signed out beforehand. I hope if they didn't, it's easy to do after the factory reset as well.

 

[charlyham]

That's good to know. I believe they already did the factory reset earlier since it's today we are meeting up. I'll have to ask if they in fact signed out beforehand. I hope if they didn't, it's easy to do after the factory reset as well.

I think they can log in to their Apple ID and remove the device from there.
https://appleid.apple.com/#!&page=signin

 

[Weaselboy]

That's good to know. I believe they already did the factory reset earlier since it's today we are meeting up. I'll have to ask if they in fact signed out beforehand. I hope if they didn't, it's easy to do after the factory reset as well.

Either way, when you get it home, erase the drive and reinstall the OS, then do an NVRAM reset. That will remove their iCloud/Find my Mac ability even if they did not turn it off.

 

[_Skyfire_]

Thanks to everyone who replied, the advice was spot on!
The rMBP was in near immaculate condition & got all the accounts removed & OS X reinstalled.

Cheers!