Apple has informed AASPs that a “limited number” of urbeats3 were released with an incorrect serial number that results in an error when looking them up in the repair database.
A limited number of urBeats3 devices have the incorrect serial number printed on them that results in a ‘Serial Number Unrecognized’ error when looking up a device.
When faced with this issue, check whether the fifth digit of the serial number is an ‘E’. If so, validate proof of purchase and attempt to create the repair by substituting the fifth digit ‘E’ in the serial number with a ‘Y’.
To provide service to urbeats3 devices exhibiting this problem, Apple recommends Apple Authorized Service Providers validate proof of purchase by replacing the “E” located in the fifth spot of the sequence with a “Y.”
Apple introduced urbeats3 in September 2017, and has sold them since then. Priced at $60 and often available on sale for less, urBeats3 are Apple’s most affordable Beats-branded earbuds.