Today, Apple has announced an expansion of self-repair and independent repair options for iPhones. This includes the ability to repair iPhones using genuine used parts, a feature that was previously unavailable.
This new process, called “parts calibration,” will allow used parts to be installed in iPhones and function without restrictions if they are genuine. This will begin in the fall for select iPhone models.
Apple emphasizes the importance of “part pairing” to maintain the privacy, security, and safety of iPhones. Previously, replacing parts with used ones from other iPhones posed a problem due to the pairing process.
For the past two years, Apple has been working on enabling the reuse of parts like biometric sensors for Face ID or Touch ID. Starting this fall, calibration for all parts will occur on-device once installed.
Activation Lock will now extend to iPhone parts to prevent stolen devices from being used for parts. The new calibration process will restrict parts from devices with Activation Lock or Lost Mode enabled.
Apple also highlights the Parts and Service history feature on iOS, which provides access to full part and repair histories for second or third owners of iPhones. This feature will now indicate whether a part is new or used genuine Apple part.
John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, expressed excitement about the expansion of the repair program and the focus on sustainability.
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. 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.
