Apple finally supports used parts for iPhone repairs

Apple has long taken an aggressive approach to iPhone repairs, using combinations of parts to prevent repairs at independent stores. Things are changing today, as the company just announced support for used parts in repairs.

Apple has announced that starting with “select” iPhone models this fall (ostensibly the iPhone 16 series), used parts will be available to customers and independent stores to repair iPhones.

The company announced that it will begin a thorough calibration process for the parts in the fall. This process applies to new and used iPhone parts and runs on the device after the part is installed. Apple added that future iPhones will enable support for used biometric sensors (Touch ID, Face ID, etc.). Additionally, customers and independent repair outlets no longer need to provide their phone serial number when ordering parts for repairs not related to logic boards.

Colossus of Cupertino also explained how to prevent stolen iPhones from being used for repairs.

If the device being repaired detects that a supported part was obtained from another device with Activation Lock or Lost Mode enabled, the part’s calibration capabilities will be limited.

Apple added that it will also update the iOS Parts and Service History page to show whether a part is new or used.

Apple’s support for used parts comes after a long battle with the right-to-repair movement, with several U.S. states and the European Union enacting right-to-repair laws. One of the most notorious anti-repair practices is Apple’s aforementioned part pairing process, which allows the company to track and control how parts are used. The company went so far as to display fear-mongering messages on iPhones that if the parts weren’t courtesy of his Apple, the display or battery wasn’t genuine. iPhone owners were even forced to have their biometric sensors repaired by Apple themselves after second-hand ones didn’t work. However, the company launched a self-healing program in 2022.