iOS 18 Includes 'Repair Assistant' For Configuring Genuine Apple Replacement Parts

[MacRumors]

Apple added a "Repair Assistant" feature in iOS 18 that is designed to allow iPhone users to configure replacement parts after a repair. The Repair Assistant works with genuine Apple components, and it makes sure that an iPhone is functional and working as intended if it's been repaired with an Apple part.

A replacement display, for example, can be configured with the Repair Assistant to make sure that True Tone, auto brightness options, and other features are accessible. For the battery, the configuration process ensures Battery Health reporting works properly.

The feature is able to be used to configure parts that were installed prior to iOS 18's release. Users who have had a third-party battery replacement that used an Apple battery, for example, can configure it as a genuine Apple component.

After installing iOS 18, if you have a part that is able to be configured, it will show up under Parts and Service in the About section of the Settings app. Users who have not had a repair will not see this section.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1833229380203708468

Apple says that Repair Assistant is able to be used with iPhone 12 and later models. Batteries, cameras, displays, and more can be configured using the tool.

Repair Assistant was first highlighted by Apple back in April. At the time, Apple said that it would be introduced in the fall, and would provide a way for used genuine Apple parts to be employed for fully functional repairs.

As part of this change, Apple is extending Activation Lock to iPhone parts to deter stolen iPhones from being disassembled for components.

Article Link: iOS 18 Includes 'Repair Assistant' For Configuring Genuine Apple Replacement Parts

 

[SoldOnApple]

Damn, people really stealing iPhones and them pulling them apart for spare parts, like an iPhone chop shop?

 

[breenmask]

all 300 people who repair iPhones themselves rejoice!

 

[xingerburger]

Parts sourced from Activation Locked iPhones will now activate-lock the phone if you try the repair assisstant. Brutal, many parts are sourced from stolen phones

 

[SoldOnApple]

Parts sourced from Activation Locked iPhones will now activate-lock the phone if you try the repair assisstant. Brutal, many parts are sourced from stolen phones

Apple really are doing their best to make people not want to steal iPhones. The device gets bricked, even the swappable parts are going to get "bricked". If you buy a stolen Apple Watch then it's probably just a paperweight.

 

[JPack]

Looks like more business and work for tag-on flex manufacturers and programmers like Refox.

 

[sw1tcher]

As part of this change, Apple is extending Activation Lock to iPhone parts to deter stolen iPhones from being disassembled for components.

Damn, people really stealing iPhones and them pulling them apart for spare parts, like an iPhone chop shop?

Some people? Yes. Other people? No.

Some people donate their iPhones but sometimes they forget to turn off Activation Lock. Those iPhones then cannot be used for parts.

Thousands of usable iPhones trashed by one Colorado firm because well-meaning donors forgot to turn off “Find my iPhone”

Millions of smartphone are collected by recyclers to be repaired, refurbished and reused. But a growing number of iPhones in good condition are getting dumped and not reused because they still have their activation locks on.

coloradosun.com

Thousands of usable iPhones trashed by one Colorado firm because well-meaning donors forgot to turn off “Find my iPhone”

Lafayette recycler can’t do a thing with working, but locked, iPhones and donors aren’t getting the financial impact expected

 

[ScreenSavers]

As part of this change, Apple is extending Activation Lock to iPhone parts to deter stolen iPhones from being disassembled for components.

Absolutely terrible idea.

 

[Shirasaki]

Some people? Yes. Other people? No.

Some people donate their iPhones but sometimes they forget to turn off Activation Lock. Those iPhones then cannot be used for parts.

Thousands of usable iPhones trashed by one Colorado firm because well-meaning donors forgot to turn off “Find my iPhone”

Millions of smartphone are collected by recyclers to be repaired, refurbished and reused. But a growing number of iPhones in good condition are getting dumped and not reused because they still have their activation locks on.

coloradosun.com

Thousands of usable iPhones trashed by one Colorado firm because well-meaning donors forgot to turn off “Find my iPhone”

Lafayette recycler can’t do a thing with working, but locked, iPhones and donors aren’t getting the financial impact expected

Maybe the recycling company should deny iPhone donations if they see activation lock is still on. And warn potential donors not to forget turning off activation lock.

 

[Kettil]

Some people donate their iPhones but sometimes they forget to turn off Activation Lock. Those iPhones then cannot be used for parts.

Meaningless e-waste of luxury phones unusable but for a user setting is a real problem.

I think it would be a good idea for Apple to start a data integrity awareness campaign sending people an email saying that their old device haven’t been in use for 6 months so they may want to back it up and erase it...

 

[russell_314]

Damn, people really stealing iPhones and them pulling them apart for spare parts, like an iPhone chop shop?

This surprises you? People steal the wires out of street lights for the copper so yeah, they steal iPhones for parts.

 

[d5aqoëp]

I like this. I have had many iPhones stolen and they ended up in China briefly and then never to be seen again.

 

[JapanApple]

Answer your question about stolen iPhones Yes. Look at all those repair people on YouTube and LOL TikTok. Only recently have They come out and said it's not possible to repair. Well, the truth is they can't use stolen phones anymore for parts they buy. Having had 3 iPhones of family members stolen in 1 year. These days apple makes it almost impossible to use stolen Apple products, such as iPhone replacement parts

 

[azhava]

Parts sourced from Activation Locked iPhones will now activate-lock the phone if you try the repair assisstant. Brutal, many parts are sourced from stolen phones

Good. Stolen parts should also be able to heat up and immediately melt down the entire phone they're put into as soon as it's powered up.

 

[Shirasaki]

Good. Stolen parts should also be able to heat up and immediately melt down the entire phone they're put into as soon as it's powered up.

Built-in fire hazard. Sure. Nothing will go wrong I believe.

 

[unregbaron]

Parts sourced from Activation Locked iPhones will now activate-lock the phone if you try the repair assisstant. Brutal, many parts are sourced from stolen phones

Thanks for explaining - would be great if the stolen parts automatically brick a phone and not need to open repair assistant.

 

[Confused-User]

This is fantastic. It's a huge win for consumers.

 

[5553130]

Apple added a "Repair Assistant" feature in iOS 18 that is designed to allow iPhone users to configure replacement parts after a repair. The Repair Assistant works with genuine Apple components, and it makes sure that an iPhone is functional and working as intended if it's been repaired with an Apple part.

A replacement display, for example, can be configured with the Repair Assistant to make sure that True Tone, auto brightness options, and other features are accessible. For the battery, the configuration process ensures Battery Health reporting works properly.

The feature is able to be used to configure parts that were installed prior to iOS 18's release. Users who have had a third-party battery replacement that used an Apple battery, for example, can configure it as a genuine Apple component.

After installing iOS 18, if you have a part that is able to be configured, it will show up under Parts and Service in the About section of the Settings app. Users who have not had a repair will not see this section.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1833229380203708468

Apple says that Repair Assistant is able to be used with iPhone 12 and later models. Batteries, cameras, displays, and more can be configured using the tool.

Repair Assistant was first highlighted by Apple back in April. At the time, Apple said that it would be introduced in the fall, and would provide a way for used genuine Apple parts to be employed for fully functional repairs.

As part of this change, Apple is extending Activation Lock to iPhone parts to deter stolen iPhones from being disassembled for components.

Article Link: iOS 18 Includes 'Repair Assistant' For Configuring Genuine Apple Replacement Parts

Why is it limited to iPhone 12 and later only? Apple started pairing **** since the 5s, so what's the deal?

 

[unregbaron]

This is fantastic. It's a huge win for consumers.

Yes but only if owners of used/repaired phones open repair assistant, how many will even if they know it bricks their phone?

 

[iBluetooth]

Absolutely terrible idea.

Great idea. The only way to reduce theft is to make it not worth it to steal iphones. If there is not much money for the stolen phones, then the theft will reduce.

 

[iBluetooth]

Why is it limited to iPhone 12 and later only? Apple started pairing **** since the 5s, so what's the deal?

That is 6 years backward compatibility. The older phones are not supported for long and if I remember correctly the components don't have these locks.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Thousands of usable iPhones trashed by one Colorado firm because well-meaning donors forgot to turn off “Find my iPhone”

Fine line between "Well-meaning donors" and "people who figured out their 2nd hand iPhone is useless because it was stolen" :/

 

[svish]

Interesting. Good to know about this addition.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Why is it limited to iPhone 12 and later only? Apple started pairing **** since the 5s, so what's the deal?

Figure out how to shoe-horn iOS 18 onto a 5s?

 

[davide_eu]

I have had many iPhones stolen and they ended up in China briefly and then never to be seen again.

How is possible? Where do you live? It never happened to me...