What They Say
iFixit reports that the iPhone13 ‘completely disables’ its flagship Face ID functionality when you replace its screen. The tests have been duplicated by other repairers. The blog said
“The iPhone 13 is paired to its screen using this small microcontroller, in a condition repair techs often call “serialization.” Apple has not provided a way for owners or independent shops to pair a new screen. Authorized technicians with access to proprietary software, Apple Services Toolkit 2, can make new screens work by logging the repair to Apple’s cloud servers and syncing the serial numbers of the phone and screen. This gives Apple the ability to approve or deny each individual repair.”
Some repairers have found a work-around by moving a soldered chip on the broken display onto the new one. However, that’s not easy and the change could significantly impact the revenues of small repair shops as repairing iPhone displays can make up a significant part of their revenue.
What We Think
This move will give new impetus to the ‘Right to Repair’ movement and is causing some indignation among independent repairers. It’s hard to see a good reason for this change other than control of the repair process by Apple. It’s only last week that we reported how much revenue Apple is making from its service contracts. (Apple’s Extended Warranty Programme Gets Even Bigger). It’s hard to believe that this kind of move is not part of the firm’s strategy to maximise its revenues. (BR)
