Apple plans to expand repair options with support for used genuine parts
Takeaway Points
- Apple said it will improve its existing repair processes.
- This will allow customers and independent repair providers to use old Apple parts for repairs.
- The improvement is starting this fall with selected iPhone models.
Why does Apple want to expand its repair options?
In a press-release on Thursday, Apple announced that it will bring improvements to its existing repair processes. The aim is to allow customers and independent repair providers to use old Apple parts for repairs.
According to Apple, the improvement is starting this fall with selected iPhone models and is designed to maintain an iPhone user’s privacy, security, and safety while giving consumers more options, increasing product longevity, and minimizing the environmental impact of a repair.
John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, said that for the past two years, the teams across Apple have been working on product designs and more to find a way to support repairs with old Apple parts.
“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,” said John.
The Parts to Reuse
Apple said that the teams have been working hard for the past two years to allow the reuse of some parts like biometric sensors used for Face ID or Touch ID, and beginning this fall, calibration for genuine Apple parts, new or used, will happen on devices after the part is installed. Customers don’t need to provide a device’s serial number when they order from the self service store for repairs not involving the replacement of the logic board.
The company will also extend the Activation Lock feature to iPhone parts in order to deter stolen iPhones from being disassembled for parts. Requested by customers and law enforcement officials, the feature was designed to limit iPhone theft by blocking a lost or stolen iPhone from being reactivated. 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.
This fall, Apple will expand Parts and Service History to additionally show whether a part is a new or used genuine Apple part, according to the report.
Apple has been working hard to provide a good and seamless experience for its customers. Earlier this month, Apple introduced the Apple Vision Pro, which brought a new era of spatial computing to business. Businesses use it for different things like customizing workplaces, collaboration, employee training, and guiding remote fieldwork in new ways.
