Apple Expands Repair Options: Used Genuine Parts Now Available

iPhone repairs have long been a vexing issue for many Apple users, due to the high cost of genuine parts, causing them to hesitate when considering whether to use brand new original components for repairing older iPhones. However, Apple has recently announced a significant relaxation of these restrictions, allowing both users and independent repair providers to use second-hand parts for iPhone repairs, with plans to implement this policy starting this autumn.

Apple has stated that the reason for lifting the restrictions on second-hand parts is to ensure user privacy and security while offering more choices and extending the lifespan of durable components. Starting this autumn, as long as the parts are genuine Apple components, they can undergo pairing and calibration on the repaired iPhones to verify the authenticity and collect information about the components, with successful pairing allowing the history of the parts to be displayed normally. Moreover, to simplify the repair process, users and repair providers will no longer need to provide the device’s serial number when ordering repair parts, excluding the motherboard, from self-service stores.

It is also noteworthy that Apple plans to extend the activation lock to iPhone components to prevent the theft of iPhones for the sale of their parts. If the repaired device detects that the parts originated from another iPhone that has activation lock or lost mode enabled, then the pairing and calibration functionality will be restricted and will not function properly.

According to media reports, the new repair regulations will initially apply to components of the iPhone 15 and newer models, including screens, batteries, and cameras, while Apple currently has no plans to offer officially refurbished parts.