Unopened MacBook Pro - any way to trace it?

[whatdeeznuts]

I had a brand new, unopened 2019 MBP that I received as a gift, but I believe I have lost this and most likely left it somewhere either in an Airbnb or hotel (or possibly stolen, but tbh I should have kept better track of it). I didn't notice it was missing until we got home from visiting family, and while I have both the Airbnb and hotel on speed dial, I'm close to giving up as they have not found anything and it's been a few days.

Is there any way that this can be traced? If somehow it is activated later on? I do have the serial number if that helps at all. Any tips would be very helpful. Thank you.

 

[chrfr]

Is there any way that this can be traced? If somehow it is activated later on? I do have the serial number if that helps at all. Any tips would be very helpful. Thank you.

It's gone at this point, unfortunately.

 

[Supra Mac]

There is always the inside joke with these post. You may get teased for being someone who records the serial number down on an unopened gift.

 

[whatdeeznuts]

I thought as much, given everything I'm reading is only for macbooks that have already been activated and associated with an icloud account.

Ah haha, well as a defense...it was just from the receipt

Thank you

 

[aangvento]

It is... technically possible for apple to disable a MacBook that has been activated. They have done it with phones stone during the riots in NY I believe. If you have the receipt or proof of purchase, you should go to an apple store and plead your case. It is not guaranteed they will help you, but you yourself can't do anything with the serial number. Especially on a sealed device. Good luck to you, OP!

 

[chrfr]

It is... technically possible for apple to disable a MacBook that has been activated. They have done it with phones stone during the riots in NY I believe. If you have the receipt or proof of purchase, you should go to an apple store and plead your case. It is not guaranteed they will help you, but you yourself can't do anything with the serial number. Especially on a sealed device. Good luck to you, OP!

The stolen phone situation is different. Those phones are managed and specially configured by Apple. The same doesn't happen with products sold at retail. Apple will not get involved with lost or stolen devices.

 

[0128672]

Apple advises to report lost or stolen devices to law enforcement. To reiterate what chrfr just mentioned, Apple takes no role in lost or stolen devices. Some users mistakenly think that Find My [Device] means that Apple will help to locate it.

"Report your lost or stolen Mac to local law enforcement. They might request the serial number of your computer. You can find this information on the original box or receipt you received when you purchased your Mac."

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204756 (most of this article doesn't apply to your situation because the machine was yet set up).