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iFixit: Apple 'Locking' iPhone Batteries to Discourage Third-Party Replacements [Updated]
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Why, it's a wearable item? I support right to repair wholeheartedly. Without it we'd be getting stupid messages in our cars when we replace tyres. We need to be careful that this isn't the thin end of the wedge.
Apple are being deliberately obstructive. They already have an algorithm that will look at battery capacity/health that would still work with a 3rd party item.
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Since the iPhone can now "not accurately determine battery health," my question is: what does this mean for the performance throttling? When using a third party battery, do we still have control over that toggle? If not, this basically takes us right back to where we were before.
It's just another step towards Apple trying to limit users from being able to repair the device at all. Anyone with a brain can deduce what's going on here.
I've replaced many iPhone batteries over the years, never once with a problem. I've also replaced the RAM, SSD, and battery in my old MacBook. This ability to keep my devices working great for years is why I used to recommend Apple products to everywhere. They were just a terrific value. The Apple of today isn't the Apple of yesteryear, however.
I'm not an iPhone/battery engineer here, so I know that what I say may not be factual; however, remember when people were getting better iPhone performance after having their batteries replaced before the throttling controversy was uncovered? (Quick aside: I think even third party repairs were improving performance?) That would imply that the phone IS able to detect battery health regardless of where it came from. So I'm not totally buying into the idea that only Apple certified batteries can provide battery health info. But maybe I'm wrong.
It's just another step towards Apple trying to limit users from being able to repair the device at all. Anyone with a brain can deduce what's going on here.
I've replaced many iPhone batteries over the years, never once with a problem. I've also replaced the RAM, SSD, and battery in my old MacBook. This ability to keep my devices working great for years is why I used to recommend Apple products to everywhere. They were just a terrific value. The Apple of today isn't the Apple of yesteryear, however.
Can we all just agree going forward to shelve the worn out ‘popcorn’ post whenever theres a topic thats likely to spur heated discussion?
At least you didnt add the even more played out gif of micheal jackson eating popcorn.
That's what I'm wanting to know. The answer to that is what will make this a non-issue or a major issue.
That’s a pretty interesting point, as if your XR it’s XS throttles you WILL notice it! All because Apple want to force you to have batteries changed by then only as stupid prices.. it’s all about the profit in this instance..
I did read the article. Was just mentioning it as maybe they haven’t tested with other devices yet and to see if others had it as well with iOS 13. Like in post #19.
It’s just a matter of time until 3rd party replacements will be impossible. As other people commented here there’s no reason to not show user the battery stats.
Is the phone nonfunctional or being throttled with a 3rd party battery? No? Then get on with it, people.
Luis Rossman mentioned that this message happens with an actual battery from another Iphone per another user so yes the phone works but it looks like they are creating trust issues towards 3rd party repair companies
I’ve been disappointed with many of Apple’s decisions over the last few years, but this guy is a hater.
I'm taking a wild guess.... and probably excusing Apple, too.... but Apple seems deeply concerned about its green ranking (by Greenpeace) ever since it went from the bottom of the list in 2011, to the very top in 2017.
Why else do we see a horn-tooting about it every so often? A lot of that is recycling... and especially battery recycling. If you have a 3rd-party battery replacement, where did that old Apple battery go? Back to Apple? If only. Probably ended in a trashcan. Apple needs to keep track of that stuff just 'cause the certificates from Greenpeace are so pretty (I imagine). Also, as a side-benefit, Apple battery prices are way higher than 3rd party.... so yeah, it's mo' money for Apple.... They even have a "trade-in-your-old-devices" thing so they can re-use material. Those greedy, Earth-conscience, environmental goody-goodies!
Why else do we see a horn-tooting about it every so often? A lot of that is recycling... and especially battery recycling. If you have a 3rd-party battery replacement, where did that old Apple battery go? Back to Apple? If only. Probably ended in a trashcan. Apple needs to keep track of that stuff just 'cause the certificates from Greenpeace are so pretty (I imagine). Also, as a side-benefit, Apple battery prices are way higher than 3rd party.... so yeah, it's mo' money for Apple.... They even have a "trade-in-your-old-devices" thing so they can re-use material. Those greedy, Earth-conscience, environmental goody-goodies!
Read the whole post.
The issue occurs even with genuine batteries that were not installed by Apple or an authorized 3rd party repair service.
There are articles saying that yes, genuine batteries too.
And this is precisely why right to repair laws are indeed necessary and should be worded to prevent this sort of behavior. Of course user replaceable batteries should be mandatory on every cell phone in the world.
Yes, we’ve been hearing this for almost a decade now.
IF that happens I’ll be pissed, but the hysterics that this thread has ended up in acting *as if this is the case NOW* is ridiculous.
Not a big deal, the only thing that you don't get is when to replace the battery but come on! For sure you need that information? We lived without that until iOS 10. Poor battery life, random shutdowns... etc
Here's the problem with the article, you can NOT buy genuine Apple batteries anywhere but Apple. Just because you buy some battery with some little Apple logo on it doesn't make it genuine.
I just don't understand the huge resistance to just replace batteries at Apple for $69 or whatever it is. Your phone is an expensive, precision item that you use probably more than anything, so for how critical people claim their phone to be, I just can't understand the huge uproar where people insist on using 3rd party parts.
You can still use 3rd party batteries, go ahead. But don't complain when Apple won't support it, you know by now that Apple is resistant to do so, so in classic fashion, you really do get what you pay for trying to save a mere $30-$40 on a battery.
I’m having trouble agreeing with this being an issue. If the Apple battery contains a logic element that gathers health data and can then accurately relay this to the phones main logic board how is this an issue?? The third party battery doesn’t contain this element but still works...why is this an issue? Also, why is it an issue that a genuine batteries require a specific calibration? Batteries can be dangerous, batteries are responsible for all operations, and battery longevity matters. I personally prefer a calibration if the end result is an improvement in all three of those areas. No one is stopping anyone from installing a non-Apple component.
Things seem to be heading in that direction though...the TouchID sensor requiring authorized re-pairing I get - but their own "repair" processes of "replace the top case" and "buy a whole new unit" all while not supplying parts to anyone are getting pretty despicable.
Watch what happens when everything gets a T2-style chip and secure enclave and they really start leaning on it by running more of the subsystems through it.
Well for all of my lithium ion batteries I use and recharge, yes I expect battery health information on what I use to recharge them with. Works with any brand of battery.
Just like other battery chemistries... The brand doesn't matter. It's a battery not a heart transplant.
These outrage inducing articles are becoming more and more common. I'm sure it makes tons of $ for Macrumors but it really makes reading unpleasant. People fall for it and LOVE it. EVIL APPLE AND EVIL GREEDY TIM COOK. Yet they're ... on an ... Apple forum... commenting about .... Apple.
Sigh.
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