Apple Planning switches to random serial numbers for future products starting ‘early 2021’

Apple will soon make a significant change in its serial number format for future products that will eliminate important information.

In an internal AppleCare email this week, obtained by MacRumors, Apple said that the new serial number format will consist of a random alphanumeric series of 8-14 characters that will no longer contain manufacturing information or a configuration code. Apple said the transition of the serial number format was scheduled for ‘early 2021’ and confirmed that IMEI numbers would not be affected by this change.

Apple products currently shipped will continue to use the current serial number format, while future products, according to Apple, will use the new format. The new serial numbers will initially contain ten characters, the company indicated.

Apple’s current serial number format allows both customers and service providers to determine the date and place where a product was manufactured, with the first three characters representing the place of manufacture and the next two indicating the year and week of manufacture. The last four characters currently serve as a “configuration code”, which reveals the model, color and storage capacity of a device.

Apple initially planned to switch to the new serial number format by the end of 2020, but has delayed.