Apple iPhone users will be able to cannibalize components for repair

Apple gives go-ahead to fixing broken iPhones with used parts

Following the passing of a law forbidding the practise in Oregon, Apple has decided to permit iPhone repairers to us cannibalized parts to repair devices. I think it’s the beginning of the end of parts pairing, the practise of pairing individual components to a single device, it also follows the upgrading of its support website.

Starting with iOS 18 this fall

Apple doesn’t see it that way, of course.

Instead, it says that starting in fall it will permit customers and independent repair providers to utilize used Apple parts in repairs. However, Activation Lock will limit use of parts taken from lost or stolen devices. That’s in line with its existing approach.

Used genuine Apple parts will now benefit from the full functionality and security afforded by the original factory calibration, the company said in a statement.

What Apple said

“At Apple, we’re always looking for new ways to deliver the best possible experience for our customers while reducing the impact we have on the planet, and a key part of that means designing products that last,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering.

“For the last two years, teams across Apple have been innovating on product design and manufacturing to support repairs with used Apple parts that won’t compromise users’ safety, security, or privacy. With this latest expansion to our repair program, we’re excited to be adding even more choice and convenience for our customers, while helping to extend the life of our products and their parts.”

In praise of part pairing

Apple thinks that pairing is essential to protect iPhone user privacy. But now it says its teams have been working for two years to find ways to enable the reuse of parts such as biometric sensors used for Face ID or Touch ID.

In what seems potentially to be something to anticipate in iOS 18, the company says that beginning this fall, calibration for genuine Apple parts, new or used, will happen on device after the part is installed.

The company also says future (and therefore not current) iPhones will be able to support used Face/Touch ID sensors. It also promises that customers and service providers will no longer need to provide a device’s serial number when ordering parts from the Self Service Repair Store for repairs not involving replacement of the logic board.

In comes Activation Lock

Apple does have a plan to mess with iMiscreants. It intends to extend Activation Lock to iPhone components in an attempt to make iPhones less attractive to cannibalization. The idea here is that if a device detects that it is being asked to support a component that comes from another iPhone that had Activation Lock or Lost Mode enabled, it will not work with that spare part.

Apple explains that it introduced this feature in response to requests from customers and law enforcement officials. If a device under repair detects that a supported part was obtained from another device with Activation Lock or Lost Mode enabled, calibration capabilities for that part will be restricted.

Built-in service history

What is interesting is that Apple has figured out how to build a service history into its devices. “As device longevity increases, Apple believes it’s important that a device’s second or third owners have access to its full part and repair histories,” the company says.

“With Parts and Service history, located within Settings on iOS, Apple is the only smartphone company that transparently shows owners whether their device has been repaired and provides information about the parts used. This fall, Apple will expand Parts and Service History to additionally show whether a part is a new or used genuine Apple part,” it said.

To be fair

Apple’s good fortune I suppose inevitably means it attracts a steady critical diet. In response to which the company points out that in the last five years it has doubled the number of service locations with access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and training. It has also introduced support for Self Service Repairs across 33 countries.

If there is one more take away to be had from this Apple move, it is that in doing this the company just increased the value of second user devices, and perhaps increased the value of the most damaged iPhones, which now have additional utility as reservoirs for spart parts.

Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolic’s bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.