second hand macbook warranty and registration

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Level 1

8 points

second hand macbook warranty and registration

I am thinking to buy a second hand macbook within the warranty period and I am wondering if I need to get the sales receipt from the old owner or if that is not necessary.

In this thread https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5667768 it looks like the old owner was still the registered keeper of the macbook and one suggested the new owner might need the sales receipt for it.

Could you please confirm what I am supposed to expect if I buy a macbook (air refurb 3 months old so it should be within the 1 year warranty) ?

Posted on Feb 23, 2020 3:14 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

babowa

Level 9

78,429 points

Feb 23, 2020 3:53 PM in response to bizmate

The regular warranty is attached to the serial number, so, technically, as long as the serial number shows that the device is covered on the Apple site, you should be fine, but it is best to get a sales receipt to include seller's info and yours (and, if he does have an original receipt, include that as well) just in case. Separately purchased Applecare plan needs to be transferred from old to new owner.

The Apple ID assigned to a device is something different - unless the seller follows the instructions here, it will still be tethered to his Apple ID:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201065

I would not buy one unless the seller follows these steps; additionally, leaving any third party software may violate that licensing agreement.

Additonally, the info in the discussion you linked to, is from 2013 and many things have changed since.

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Answer 2

y_p_w

Level 6

17,690 points

Feb 23, 2020 6:41 PM in response to bizmate

The original receipt is the best proof of purchase. Sometimes the date registered with Apple is incorrect and they may have issues if it’s getting close to the end of warranty. Occasionally a sale doesn’t get registered.

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