Is the Macbook serials safe to share?

[kaans]

As far as I know, you can only query the warranty

But I've seen several images removed on Apple forums because they included serials

I just wonder why one needs to keep the serial safe/private, thinking about it now, I assume it's because the serial is used when the device is pulling a new OS, or OS updates, and malicious people use stolen serials to request these updates? (Maybe not, because as far as I know, Hackintosh machines seem to work without serials)

 

[4sallypat]

Serial numbers for pre-T2 Macs are easy to copy and program into another Mac.

That might be the only reason to get AppleCare or warranty support for an ailing machine.

You are correct -- serial numbers are not needed nor need to be correct in order to get OS updates, iCloud access, new OSX upgrades, or install a fresh OS.

The newer T2 machines are tougher to change the S/N but not impossible.