Apple Inc.
Server trust evaluation based authentication

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are techniques for enabling a user to activate a new device with a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) without requiring the user to provide MNO authentication credentials that are easily forgotten. The user activates the new device using credentials from an existing device (associated with the user) that is trusted by the MNO and also using a trust score provided by a third-party server that has knowledge of associations between the user and the existing device. The new device can be a supplemental device, such as a wearable device to a cellular phone, where both devices remain capable of accessing services provided by the MNO after the new device is activated with the MNO. The new device can also be a replacement device, such as a new phone, tablet, or wearable device, where the new device supplants access to services provided by the MNO for an existing device.