The serial number is often listed on the printed or digital invoice from Apple or an authorized retailer.
Whether you are buying a used MacBook Pro on eBay, selling your current device to a third party, or simply trying to figure out if your laptop is still under warranty, the serial number is the most critical piece of information you possess. macbook pro serial number check
Since the introduction of the T2 Security Chip (2018 and later) and Apple Silicon, Activation Lock ties the MacBook Pro to the original owner’s Apple ID. A valid serial number check will tell you if the device is still locked. Furthermore, law enforcement and Apple themselves track stolen devices by serial number. Purchasing a MacBook Pro without checking the serial number for Activation Lock is akin to buying a car without checking its title—you may end up with a useless brick. The serial number is often listed on the
On Intel Macs, it was theoretically possible for hackers to modify serial numbers on logic boards (a process called "spoofing") to bypass security checks. However, on Apple Silicon Macs, the serial number is cryptographically fused to the hardware. A valid serial number check will tell you
If you still have the packaging, check the barcode label.