- Apple has introduced a new feature, available with its iOS 15.2 update, that gives users a “leg up” when it comes to parts scams.
- The company also announced its plans for a self-repair program for customers, launching in 2022.
- Apple has a long history of limiting repair options, much to the displeasure of both repair techs and customers.
On December 7, 2021, Apple released a feature that will help their customers avoid repair scams. According to the Apple support document, iPhone users will be able to see if certain parts in their iPhone are authentic Apple parts or not.
If you’re buying a second-hand iPhone or from a third party retailer, you’ll be able to see when and if parts have been replaced.
In the new update, you can go to Settings > General > About to view the parts and service history of your iPhone.
- For iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and later, including iPhone SE (2nd generation), you can see if the battery has been replaced.
- For iPhone 11 models, iPhone 12 models, and iPhone 13 models, you can see if the battery or display have been replaced.
- For iPhone 12 models and iPhone 13 models, you can see if the battery, display, or camera have been replaced.
The “Parts and Service History” section of the settings app will let you know, depending on your iPhone model, whether your battery, display, or camera has been replaced. If your repair job was done using genuine Apple parts and tools, you’ll see “Genuine Apple Part” next to the part in question.
If the part installation is incomplete, the repair was done with a nongenuine part, the part was already installed in a different iPhone, or it isn’t functioning as expected, “Unknown Part” will be listed beside its name.
This update is another tweak to how Apple is approaching parts replacements and repairs. In November 2021 Apple announced that it will be launching a self-repair program starting in 2022.
Users will be able to purchase authentic replacement parts from Apple that come with the required tools and instructions on how to perform the repair.
The “Parts and Service History” will be added to Apple’s extensive data collection. The information could give Apple valuable information on the profits it is losing due to third party repairs.
This new update will be unwelcome by independent repair shops as Apple continues to push to restrict non-authorized repairs. Apple has a lengthy history of limiting repair options.
Most recently, repairs made to a broken display on the iPhone 13 without authorized parts and tools from Apple would disable the Face ID function. After receiving backlash over the restricted repairs, Apple removed the feature that disabled Face ID in the iOS 15.2 update.
Apple has previously introduced repair restrictions on the Touch ID function, True Tone, and iPhone 12 cameras. The restrictions have never been popular, causing many users and repair techs to voice displeasure with Apple’s procedures.
Nevertheless, Apple’s new “Parts and Service History” will allow users to see the history of important parts in their iPhones. Coming soon, they will also be able to perform repairs on their own, although Apple will note that it prefers that its customers take their iPhones to authorized repair spots for replacement parts or repairs.
Whether you choose to repair the part yourself, at an Apple store, or at an independent repair shop, Apple will be using that data to influence their further decisions on how to implement repair policies and restrictions.
