Why ipad serial number in settings is not the same as the serial number in the back?

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Level 1

3 points

Why ipad serial number in settings is not the same as the serial number in the back?

I took an ipad mini for screen replacement, everything was succesful. The customer calls me back claiming that the ipad wasn't his ipad. He went to store and claims that the serial number that shows on info of the ipad does not match the serial in the outer frame (the one in the back). I didn't check that on my procedure due to that I didn't turn on the ipad and in the recieving yes i wrote the serial number that is in the back. I check on several forums and some people where asking the same issue but in case of a purchase in a store or online, that their serials didn't match. I would like to know if someone have found this issue on any product, ipad, iphone, ipod or whatever other, having this issue with serials.

iPad Mini

Posted on Dec 3, 2014 8:00 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 3, 2014 12:40 PM in response to ejrm279

It is also very possible that the customer had purchased an iPad in an unsealed box, which means the iPad could have been placed in a different box than it shipped in. Unless the item is opened in your presence, so you can see the serial number on the box, and then check the serial number internal to the iPad, you have no evidence that the iPad actually came in that box. The serial number internal to the iPad is the one that is registered against AppleCare or warranty with Apple.

This should not be your problem as there is no proof that the box and iPad belong together.

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Answer 2

Dec 3, 2014 8:05 AM in response to ejrm279

Is the serial number on the case the same as the original unite that was taken in for repair? If so, then the logic board may have been changed during the repair.

If the serial number in Settings is the same as the original number, then when the screen was replaced, the back cover was also replaced, but it should have no serial number in then...if this was done by Apple.

Was this work done by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider? Take the iPad Mini back and raise the issue with the repair technician, ask what was actually done and why the serial numbers do not match.

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Answer 3

ejrm279 Author

Level 1

3 points

Dec 3, 2014 12:35 PM in response to ejrm279

Here we work with repairs for devices that does not have waranty (expired or other issue). In this case, I did the screen replacement. No other ipad was on my station, the ipad arrives, i took it change the glass, put everithing back, give to customer. Thats it. The job was done by me, the customer test his ipad in front on me, works fine, everything ok. Few days pass and he came back saying that it wasn't his ipad, he brings the box that the ipad came and ask me why the serial number does not match the serial number in the box (sorry NOT in the back of the ipad).

There were no other part changed only glass. After 7 years working on this, thats the first customer complaining about a work done here. After this I was curious and look for more information and some forums, also one port here is claiming that the serial number on the device is not the same as the box where it came.

I just want to make sure that there are possibilities that there could be such mistake during the packaging process.

Thanks for the replies

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,978 points

Dec 3, 2014 8:10 AM in response to ejrm279

This is a bit confusing. Who, exactly, did the repair work? Apple? or someone else?

What is the relationship between yourself, the "customer", and Apple?

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