Apple’s recent promise to allow users to swap out genuine parts from other devices has created waves in the tech and repair communities. The company is committing to a new system that would allow for the use of parts from a different device without restricting essential features, like Touch ID and Face ID, something that has been a significant challenge for independent repairers in the past. While this move sounds like a win for consumers, there are several nuances and potential issues that could affect both the repair ecosystem and Apple’s future approach to third-party repairs.
The Promise of Genuine Parts Compatibility
Apple has been tightening control over its devices for years, often limiting repair possibilities to authorized service providers and creating difficulties for third-party repair shops. However, under its new plan, users will soon be able to use genuine Apple parts sourced from another device. The catch? Apple’s server must approve the part before it can be used, but unlike the current system, this won’t limit any functionality.
This means biometric sensors, including the fingerprint scanner (Touch ID) and face recognition (Face ID), which previously were tied to specific devices, will now work when parts are swapped from another compatible iPhone, assuming the part passes Apple’s verification process. Given that Apple already keeps a database of individual parts’ serial numbers, it should be relatively easy to confirm compatibility.
Apple’s new initiative also plans to expand support for more iPhone models, though the exact details about which models will be supported remain unclear.
A Potential Challenge: The Activation Lock for Parts
While this sounds like a positive step forward for device repair, there’s a significant concern—how will Apple’s activation lock for replacement parts work? Apple already uses activation lock in its devices to prevent unauthorized users from accessing a phone that has been marked as lost or stolen. If this new parts-locking system follows the same protocols, it could create issues for third-party repair shops and consumers looking to refurbish their phones.
Activation lock is designed to make sure that stolen devices can’t be reused, even if they’re wiped clean. While the feature aims to protect consumers, it has also caused frustration for those who bought used devices or need to restore their own phone. Many repair shops rely on parts from older or broken devices to refurbish phones, which is an established practice that helps reduce e-waste and keeps older devices in circulation.
Now, with Apple’s new system, parts taken from a phone that has been reported as lost or stolen—whether or not the part itself is locked to that device—may also be marked as unusable. This would create a potentially devastating scenario for repair businesses, as they may be unable to resell or refurbish functional parts, thus contributing to even more e-waste.
The E-Waste Dilemma: A Double-Edged Sword
One of the most pressing issues with this new system is the potential for e-waste. Repair shops often recycle parts, such as screens or batteries, from one device to another. For instance, if a device is brought in for a cracked screen replacement, the underlying display technology may still work perfectly fine. Shops can then resell or refurbish the part for another phone, contributing to sustainability and reducing the overall environmental impact of phone manufacturing.
However, if Apple’s parts activation lock makes these parts unusable after they’re swapped, this practice could effectively put many reusable parts out of circulation. If a screen, for example, is sourced from a device that is still active (i.e., not marked as lost or stolen), it might end up locked to the iCloud account of that phone, preventing it from being used again. This could lead to a huge increase in e-waste, as perfectly usable components are rendered unusable by Apple’s new system.
The prospect of Apple limiting the reuse of parts is deeply troubling. The system could create additional barriers for third-party repair providers, who already face difficulties sourcing parts due to Apple’s restrictive policies. Furthermore, if parts can’t be resold or reused, the only solution left might be to dispose of them, exacerbating the environmental impact of the technology industry.
Apple’s Approach to Parts Pairing and Consumer Repair Rights
In a recent legislative hearing in Oregon, Apple’s senior manager for secure systems, John Perry, voiced concerns over the state’s Right to Repair bill. During his testimony, he outlined the company’s position on parts pairing, a key feature of Apple’s device security.
Perry made a strong argument about the necessity of maintaining security and privacy for consumers, stating that Apple supports the right to repair but within the confines of ensuring that only authorized parts are used. When asked whether all parts in Apple devices are “paired,” Perry clarified that only biometric security sensors—like Touch ID and Face ID—are paired with the device and its software. He confirmed that other parts, like speakers or displays, are not paired to the phone, allowing them to be replaced without affecting functionality.
However, the real question is how Apple’s new activation lock system will handle third-party parts. According to Apple’s new system, any third-party part will not be eligible for calibration with Apple’s calibration servers. This means the device will try to use the part to the best of its ability, but it may experience reduced functionality. This is the same situation that many third-party parts currently face.
The biggest concern raised during the hearing was that the Right to Repair bill might open the door for consumers and independent repair shops to install parts that Apple has not “approved.” While Perry acknowledged that Apple doesn’t deliberately disable functionality except for biometric features, the company’s current system has already proven problematic in limiting the use of third-party parts and parts from repaired devices.
The Potential Impact on Consumers and Repair Providers
Apple’s new system could significantly impact independent repair shops and consumers, especially if parts from phones that are still in use are locked. These shops, often relying on refurbished parts, may find themselves with a growing inventory of unusable components, contributing to more waste and fewer affordable repair options for consumers.
Apple’s claim that it will record all replacement parts—whether Apple-sourced or third-party—could also lead to further complications. While this could help consumers track the history of their devices and see what parts have been replaced, it also raises concerns about privacy. How much of this data will be accessible to third parties? Will it be shared in ways that consumers don’t fully understand or consent to?
In the meantime, Apple’s track record of shredding or locking devices that aren’t explicitly marked as stolen remains a pressing issue. It has been reported that Apple has shredded over half a million traded-in phones, many of which could have been resold, creating a significant waste problem. With fewer used devices on the market, more consumers may feel compelled to buy new devices, further exacerbating the cycle of consumption and e-waste.
The Bigger Picture: Is This Really a Win for Right to Repair?
While Apple’s initiative to allow for the reuse of genuine parts might sound promising, it raises significant questions about how much control the company will maintain over the repair process. For all the potential benefits of this system, it also risks creating barriers for independent repairers and contributing to the growing problem of e-waste.
At the heart of this issue is the ongoing struggle between right to repair and corporate control. Apple’s new system could improve some aspects of the repair process, but it remains to be seen whether it will truly address the fundamental issues that have long plagued the repair industry.
For now, it seems that the real winner here might not be consumers, but rather the company itself, which will continue to control the flow of repair parts and maintain a tight grip on the repair ecosystem.
If you found this article thought-provoking, be sure to check out my other content on tech and right-to-repair issues. And remember—while Apple may be loosening its grip on repairs, it’s clear that much remains to be seen about the future of repair independence.
