Wired
Previously, foreign media learned from Apple’s internal AppleCare emails that from 2021, Apple’s new products will soon adopt the “random serial number” format. The current purple iPhone 12 has begun to use random product serial numbers, and subsequent iMac, iPad Pro and MacBook new machines will also be used. Presented in a random manner.
As for why Apple should switch to an encrypted random serial number for the product? The main reason is to prevent users, sales or maintenance personnel from being able to know the production year cycle, place of production, production line, specifications and other information of Apple products through the serial number. For example, the serial number of the iPhone will be mixed with 12-digit English numbers. If you want to know more The iPhone serial number can be found in the following article:
Apple adopts a new “random serial number” for many new machines in 2021. The product serial number will consist of 8-10 characters. Actually, this is not a random serial number, but can be called an “encrypted random serial number” in a formal way. , Using complex and pseudo-random numbers to generate, it is no longer possible to find relevant information through the serial number.
For example, the purple iPhone 12 is the first to adopt a new encrypted random serial number, from the original 12 code to a 10 code serial number. As for the mobile phone identity IMEI will continue to be used on iPhone devices, and iMac, iPad Pro and MacBook new machines will also be replaced in the future.
Why does Apple use random encrypted serial numbers?
Apple intends to fully adopt random encrypted product serial numbers from 2020, but was affected by the epidemic and finally postponed until 2021. As for Apple will start using random encrypted serial numbers for products, “Mr. Crazy” also asked Apple and the answer was Apple It is impossible to explain the reasons, but “Mr. Crazy” thinks there are several possibilities:
Strengthen the privacy of Apple products
At present, the product serial number can be used to easily find out the production cycle, OEM production place, year of production, specification information, and even distinguish whether the equipment is in stock or new production. This information is unwilling to disclose to Apple. Confidential information can be encrypted with random serial numbers to enhance product privacy.
Prevent hacker attacks
Apple’s official website provides the use of serial numbers to check the device verification and warranty dates, and verify whether an iCloud account has been opened and bound. Hackers have occurred before and can use phishing letters to send to Apple ID users to obtain user devices and iCloud accounts. Messages, or use spam emails to send Apple support API attacks to the Apple serial number query website to obtain relevant messages.
After switching to a random encrypted serial number, the serial number also uses a discontinuous mechanism, and even Apple may add a hash value to the website to identify non-existent values, preventing the blocking query server from being attacked.
Anti-blocking black apple
Most of the serial numbers of black apples use random generators, and the generated serial numbers need to be checked through the Apple verification webpage to see if the group of serial numbers is used by anyone. It is easy for users to cause Apple devices to collide with other people, causing iCloud setting requirements. Log in again.
In addition, if the black apple wants to successfully start the iMessage and FaceTime services, it also needs to obtain the real white apple’s three-code information, so Apple directly encrypts the serial number, or it may bind the device to prevent the black apple from being used indiscriminately.
Anti-blocking assembly machine
The iPhone assembly machine is Apple’s biggest headache. In order to provide further protection for the iPhone device, the random encryption serial number can prevent the assembly machine manufacturer from judging the equipment specifications based on the device serial number. After returning it to the original factory for maintenance and testing, it can be immediately Know whether the equipment is a product.
Starting from the current purple iPhone 12, including subsequent iPhone 13 new phones will also fully adopt encrypted random serial numbers. Except for AirTag, the serial number method is still used. The main reason is that AirTag started production very early, but it will be postponed to 2021, but it can be confirmed. This year, when Apple ships new products, it will gradually replace encrypted random serial numbers.
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