What Can Someone Do With Your Mac Serial Number

Cybercrime is a serious issue. According to recent data from cybersecurity company AAG, 53.35 million people in the United States were victims of cybercrime in the first half of 2022. While phishing remains the most common cybercrime, other threats include data breaches and ransomware. Another lesser-known type of online fraud involves serial numbers, which can pose a risk of revealing personal information to cybercriminals—the same way full names, home addresses, and bank details do.

While experts consider the possibility of someone stealing your serial number remotely, you should still take precautions. Other associated risks include the misuse of warranty or technical support services. This could result in someone else using your warranty before you’ve even claimed it or exploiting your serial number for fraudulent activities. Clearly, this isn’t a situation you’d like to find yourself in.

Before we start:

 

Take every possible precaution to safeguard your online privacy. One effective step to protect your MacBook from spyware is to use MacKeeper’s VPN Private Connect tool. This virtual private network ensures that your internet connections are secure and anonymous. It’s particularly useful when connecting to public networks—in libraries, hotels, or airports.

 

Follow these steps to start using MacKeeper’s VPN Private Connect:

1. Download and launch MacKeeper.
2. In the sidebar, find Private Connect (under Privacy), then click on it.
3. Click Open.
4. Click on the arrows next to VPN server location.
5. Choose the location you want to connect to.
6. Click the Turn On button.
7. Wait while it’s connecting you to the server.

To protect yourself from potential fraud, you should avoid sharing information about your electronic devices. Our expert team will explain why you should do this with your Mac serial number.

What is a Mac serial number

A serial number is a unique combination of letters and numbers that identifies a specific item. In the case of Mac serial numbers, each individual computer is also assigned a particular serial number. This unique identifier will be primarily used for warranty and repair purposes.

Serial numbers aren’t random combinations. Each character has a specific meaning and provides information about the Mac’s manufacturing process. This identification method helps the manufacturer distinguish each device and authenticate the originality of the product. In essence, counterfeits won’t have a serial number, or if they do, manufacturers will be able to tell they’re fake.

How to find Mac serial number

Indeed, as seen above, having the serial number on hand is crucial when you need technical support. Fortunately, there are various ways to locate this unique identifier, so you don’t have to fret if you’ve discarded the original packaging or are unable to power on your Mac.

Below, you’ll find helpful details on:

1. How to find a Mac serial number on the product
2. How to find a Mac serial number on the original packaging
3. How to find a Mac serial number using your Apple ID account
4. How to find a Mac serial number via About This Mac
5. How to find a Mac serial number via System Information
6. How to find a Mac serial number via Terminal

Let’s discuss each of them one by one now.

1. How to find a Mac serial number on the product

To find your Mac’s serial number, simply start by checking the outside of the device. As it’s printed on the device itself, you won’t confuse it with the serial number of any other Mac you might own at home.

The location of the serial number on the computer chassis may vary depending on the Mac model you have. Typically, it’s printed on the underside of the device, along with other information, such as its design and assembly origin. For older Mac Pro models, the serial number was located on the back of the panel.

2. How to find a Mac serial number on the original packaging

If you still have it, you’ll be able to find your Mac’s serial number in the packaging it came in when you bought it. The serial number is located next to the barcode label on the box, so it’s easy to find it.

Hint from our expert team: This code only applies to products purchased directly from Apple. If it’s a second-hand or refurbished product, you may not have received it in its original packaging, so you won’t find the serial number there.

3. How to find a Mac serial number using your Apple ID account

Alternatively, you can find your Mac’s serial number on your Apple ID account by following these simple steps:

1. Sign in to applied.apple.com using your Apple ID credentials.
2. If applicable, enter the two-factor authentication code.
3. Click Devices on the left sidebar.
4. Find your Mac in the list on the right.
5. Select it, then check its serial number in the new pop-up window.

4. How to find a Mac serial number via About This Mac

There are three ways to find your Mac’s serial number when you still have access to the system. First, you can locate it in the About This Mac command menu, which is available in all versions of macOS.

Here’s how to find a Mac serial number via About This Mac:

1. Click on the Apple icon located in the menu bar.
2. Select About This Mac from the dropdown menu.
3. Locate your serial number in the new pop-up window.

5. How to find a Mac serial number via System Information

Another way to find your Mac’s serial number when you can still power on your computer is to use the System Information panel, which is also easily accessible.

Follow these steps to access System Information:

1. Click on the Apple icon located in the menu bar.
2. Press the Option key to reveal System Information.
3. Click on System Information in the dropdown menu.
4. Select Hardware from the left sidebar.
5. Locate your Mac’s serial number.

6. How to find a Mac serial number via Terminal

Lastly, you can find the serial number of your Mac using the macOS Terminal emulator. To do this, follow the process below:

1. Open Finder, click on Applications, then open the Utilities folder.
2. Launch Terminal.
3. Copy and paste this command (without the full stop at the end!): system_profiler SPHardwareDataType.
4. Press the Return key to enter the command.
5. Locate your Mac’s serial number.

What is the Mac serial number used for

Simply put, a Mac’s serial number is used to identify the device. It combines letters and numbers to convey information about the Mac’s manufacturing date, location, and model. This information is useful for running MacBook diagnostics in case of technical issues.

Important: In 2010, Apple updated the format of its serial numbers. The newer format typically consists of 12 characters, whereas the older format had 11 characters.

What information does a Mac serial number include?

As your device was probably manufactured in the last few years, our team of experts will help you decode the most recent serial number format:

• The first few letters indicate the manufacturing location.
• Following that, some letters identify the year of production and whether it was in the first or second half of the year.
• The fifth character indicates the week of manufacture. Depending on the week of the year, it’s represented using numbers or letters.
• The next three digits are unique to each serial number. They help identify the specific model and differentiate it from other devices manufactured in the same place and at the same time as yours.
• The model number, which is included at the end of the serial number, provides information about the device’s components and features.

What can you do with your Mac serial number

What is the purpose of the serial number besides identifying when and where your Mac was manufactured? What can you do with this information? The answer is simple: it allows you to receive technical support, activate your warranty or insurance, report it in case of theft or loss, and sell it with all the guarantees.

Receive technical support

Imagine this scenario: your MacBook’s battery is causing so many issues that you can barely use it when you’re not at home. What should you do in this situation? One of the first steps would be to check your MacBook’s battery health.

However, simply checking the battery’s health may not resolve your problem. For more serious technical issues with your battery or any other part of your Mac, you’ll need to contact the manufacturer. This is a good example of when you’ll need to have your serial number on hand, as it’ll help them quickly identify the model, manufacturing details, and included components.

Additionally, providing the serial number can help determine if your device is still under warranty, which leads us to the next step.

Register your warranty or insurance

While this information isn’t explicitly contained in your serial number’s characters, your unique identifier also gives you access to other valuable information, such as warranty status, insurance, and accidental damage coverage.

When you buy a MacBook, the first thing you should do is activate its warranty. This is usually for one year but can be extended with AppleCare, Apple’s own insurance plan. In all cases, including third-party coverage plans, you’ll need your Mac’s serial number.

Moreover, quickly activating the warranty is crucial for two reasons: first, to ensure your device is protected, and second, to prevent unauthorized use of your serial number to claim warranty or insurance benefits.

Report your lost or stolen Mac

Losing or having your Mac stolen is one of the worst things that can happen to you as a Mac owner. However, instead of just mourning your loss, you should take immediate action. We recommend you go to the nearest police station and file a report. Also, have your serial number in hand and provide it to the authorities.

This way, the police can identify your Mac using the serial number. Whether it’s turned in by a Good Samaritan, confiscated in a police raid, or found for sale online, the serial number is a valuable tool in proving ownership. Additionally, including your Mac’s serial number in the police report allows you to prove that you no longer possess the computer if it’s used unlawfully.

Prepare your Mac before selling it

Knowing what to check when buying a used MacBook is important, too. Similarly, knowing what to prepare is crucial if you want to sell an Apple computer. We especially recommend knowing the Mac’s serial number in the latter case.

Why? Although the potential buyer can find it themselves using one of the methods our team of experts has previously described, providing the serial number is seen as an act of good faith. It’s best to hand over any document containing this unique code, including the original packaging, if you still have it.

Furthermore, it allows you to demonstrate that your product is original and not a counterfeit. The buyer will also be able to check this by themselves. However, never include the serial number in the online ad, no matter what.

Why you shouldn’t share your Mac’s serial number online

We’ve been saying this throughout the article: please be mindful of sharing your Mac’s serial number on the Internet. Although it’s not as risky as sharing passwords or credit card numbers, some dangers remain to consider.

If your Mac is still under warranty, sharing its serial number could enable others to use it for warranty claims or technical support. Even though technical services usually ask for additional information, it’s best not to risk sharing your Mac’s serial number online.

If you suspect that you’ve accidentally made your serial number public or have been a victim of fraud, take action to protect yourself. In addition to reporting the incident to the authorities, consider using MacKeeper’s VPN Private Connect to safeguard the privacy of your computer.

Follow these steps to use the VPN on your Mac or MacBook:

1. Open MacKeeper on your Mac.
2. Choose the Private Connect option under Privacy from the left sidebar.
3. Click the Open button.
4. Use the arrows next to the VPN server location dropdown menu to select your preferred location. For simplicity, you can select Best Server.
5. Click the Turn On button.
6. Wait while it’s connecting you to the server.
7. Once you’re connected, you’ll see the “You’re using VPN Private Connect” on your screen.

Beware: Criminals can hack your Mac with serial number

The chance of cybercriminals hacking into your Mac using its serial number is very low, if not nonexistent, but that doesn’t rule out other associated risks. Hackers may exploit your warranty or insurance, access premium technical support that you pay for without your consent, or engage in other illegitimate activities.

If there’s even a small chance that your security or privacy could be compromised, we always recommend installing cybersecurity software, whether antivirus or a VPN. In fact, in these circumstances, MacKeeper’s VPN Private Connect is especially useful for ensuring that your location can’t be tracked and allowing you to browse anonymously.