Cloned mac serial number?

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Level 1

4 points

Cloned mac serial number?

I bought a macbook pro which I kept offline (absolutely offline, never connected to any network, not even updated), without associate it to any appleID (obviously).

However, I went to an Apple store to service the battery and when they hook up their diagnostics the laptop appears registered to a Chinese appleID email address and locked up.

Nobody in apple could explain the situation (they did approved the unlock because I have the apple store receipt) but still were not able to respond how is it possible to clon a macbook pro. Any ideas?

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Mar 12, 2024 7:37 AM

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Answer 1

thx-8311 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 14, 2024 7:18 PM in response to leroydouglas

I know for a fact that you can create a virtual machine with the serial number that you want, so in that sense you may create a different computer with the same serial number.

What that theory does not answer is:

Can the virtual machine register an Apple ID and activate the Find my, locking the serial number to a certain user?
If only can be done in the real hardware: Is it possible that was done before or sometime during shipping?

Apple will not answer any of those questions. The reason that I was given is that is to “preserve” user privacy (I said what about my security? How do I know that other person will not claim my hardware again? No answer.)

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,374 points

Mar 12, 2024 8:52 AM in response to thx-8311

thx-8311 wrote:

I bought a macbook pro which I kept offline (absolutely offline, never connected to any network, not even updated), without associate it to any appleID (obviously).

However, I went to an Apple store to service the battery and when they hook up their diagnostics the laptop appears registered to a Chinese appleID email address and locked up.

Nobody in apple could explain the situation (they did approved the unlock because I have the apple store receipt)

but still were not able to respond how is it possible to clon a macbook pro. Any ideas?

"cloned" may not be the best description of your serial number issue...

It is an interesting strategy and computer usage...seems like it worked out with your original receipt.

If Apple can not explain the situation, then it seems an anomaly...no?

Check your coverage

My Support - Official Apple Support

One account for everything Apple - verify what devices are associated with your ID.

https://appleid.apple.com/

submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

Contact the corporate office Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

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Cloned mac serial number?

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