Apple Planning switches to random serial numbers for future products from “early 2021”

Soon, Apple will make a significant change in the format of its serial number for future products that will see key information wasted.

In an internal AppCare email this week, obtained by MacRumors, Apple said the new serial number format will consist of an 8-14-character random alphanumeric string that will no longer include manufacturing information or a code. configuration. Apple said the serial number format transition is planned for “early 2021” and confirmed that this change will not affect IMEI numbers.

Any Apple product currently shipped will continue to use the current serial number format, while future products will use the new format, according to Apple. The new serial numbers will initially be 10 characters, the company said.

Apple’s current serial number format has long allowed customers and service providers to determine the date and location a product was manufactured, with the first three characters representing the manufacturing location and the the next two indicate the year and week of manufacture. Currently, the last four characters serve as “configuration code,” revealing the model, color, and storage capacity of a device.

Apple initially planned the transition to the new serial number format in late 2020, but it was delayed.