New Delhi: Apple has recently updated its repair policy, making it possible for customers and third-party repair services to utilize pre-owned genuine Apple parts when repairing iPhones. This move aims to enhance user privacy, security, and safety while providing more repair options and extending the lifespan of products.
According to Apple’s announcement in a blog post, these pre-owned genuine Apple parts will now offer the same functionality and security as new parts, benefiting from original factory calibration.
Previously, iPhone users were unable to repair their devices with pre-owned parts due to a process known as ‘parts pairing’, which links the device’s serial number to new parts sold by Apple. This led to issues with Face ID and Touch ID if users replaced components with pre-owned ones.
While Apple has defended ‘parts pairing’ in the past, stating its necessity for maintaining user privacy and security, the company has now adjusted its stance. John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, reiterated the importance of using genuine components for ensuring quality but acknowledged the need for flexibility.
Apple has also announced enhancements to the tracking of pre-owned iPhone parts, including the addition of Activation Lock to prevent the use of stolen parts. This feature restricts the calibration capabilities of parts obtained from devices with Activation Lock or Lost Mode enabled, further ensuring the integrity of repairs.
