Apple doesn't have predictable serial numbers anymore, they're all just random numbers corresponding to rows in a database. There's no way to generate them.

It wasn't a serious idea. The fact I mentioned it along side Serial Box should have been a clue. Maybe you're too young to know what Serial Box was, or the 90s cracking culture. Shh, the adults are speaking =)

No, I remember Serial Box, serials.ws, MegaGames, scene intros, etc. I just have trouble determining tone on the internet sometimes is all.

if apple checks an online database for "you authenticated and paired this hardware ID to this apple ID", is that a "Beeper Mini" killer?

isn't that essentially what they are doing? that's one of the reasons a stolen iDevice is pretty much worthless.

What about when the hardware is legitimately sold and reset and a new Apple ID starts using it?

You have to de-register the device with Apple when you sell it. Otherwise you retain the ability to remote wipe and brick the device and the buyer has no recourse.

After you de-register it the buyer can register it with Apple under their Apple ID.

I have Apple devices that are allowed to use iMessage including some that I don't use. If my computer can impersonate one of them to allow me to message from my workstation that's success.

> If my computer can impersonate one of them to allow me to message from my workstation that's success.

But Beeper Mini isn't asking users to bring-their-own valid hardware registered Apple hardware ID tied to their Apple ID, they're doing something different/unknown behind the scenes