New Macbook was stolen before activation. How can I report it to Apple?

KitShicker85 wrote:

The support forums all detail what can be done if an activated product is lost or stolen, or how to take steps to recover the cost lost of a stolen iPhone, but there appears to be no support for the computers. What can I do to help ensure that even if my computer won't be recovered, it cannot be activated later by the thief?

If it was stolen or lost before you had time to set it up with icloud then there is nothing you can do If your Mac is lost or stolen - Apple Support

Apple doesn't get involved either.

Ewan Lamont wrote:

Report the theft to the Police and give them all the payment data you have. Your receipt should have information about the device purchased, serial and model numbers, and it might be possible to trace the machine from these.

Reporting to the Police is important in the UK as you can't claim an item you come across if you haven't reported it as stolen. I don't know about other jurisdictions

Can you show documentation for "Your receipt should have information about the device purchased, serial and model numbers, and it might be possible to trace the machine from these. "

Do not see that info in Apple support doc If your Mac is lost or stolen - Apple Support

Report the theft to the Police and give them all the payment data you have. Your receipt should have information about the device purchased, serial and model numbers, and it might be possible to trace the machine from these. Reporting to the Police is important in the UK as you can't claim an item you come across if you haven't reported it as stolen. I don't know about other jurisdictions

No. I remember that last year I came across the purchase receipt for my first iMac in 2000 and all the data was there. If that kind of information is not on receipts today that is too bad. I am not going to hunt through my accounts looking for such documentation for more recent purchases (the last one was in 2021). I bought an Apple connector today and I see the receipt has the Part Number. That won't identify the exact cable but I think the computers themselves are different because it can matter very much which precise computer is under consideration.

Ewan Lamont wrote:

No. I remember that last year I came across the purchase receipt for my first iMac in 2000 and all the data was there. If that kind of information is not on receipts today that is too bad. I am not going to hunt through my accounts looking for such documentation for more recent purchases (the last one was in 2021). I bought an Apple connector today and I see the receipt has the Part Number. That won't identify the exact cable but I think the computers themselves are different because it can matter very much which precise computer is under consideration.

What does the receipt have to do with tracking a stole Apple device? IMEI/serial isn't going to help track it.

They can report that number to the local authority and that about it.