Apple could be thwarting unauthorized installations of OS X

Oct 30, 2013 14:52 GMT  ·  By

In a Support document posted this week, Apple outlines a couple of Mac App Store errors which may pop up if you’re using a computer whose serial number cannot be displayed.

Mac App Store errors stating “Cannot connect” or “Cannot connect to the App Store. An internet connection is required” are nothing new, and Apple offers a few workarounds.

But one potential cause surprisingly involves missing serial numbers. Why would your Mac not have a serial number if you bought it from Apple, right?

According to KB article TS5202, “The system serial number is used for authentication purposes. If the serial number is not displayed in About This Mac, the Mac App Store cannot authenticate the connection.”

Apple instructs users who are experiencing these issues to click on the Apple () in the Menubar and choose About This Mac, then click on the Version number under OS X (to change it to a Build number), then click on the Build number under OS X to change it to the Serial number.

“If no serial number is displayed, contact AppleCare for further assistance,” Apple says.

Could this mean Apple is trying to thwart unauthorized installations of OS X on what is known as a Hackintosh? It sure sounds like it.