iPhone 12 Camera Repairs Require Apple's Proprietary System Configuration Tool

[MacRumors]

iFixit has discovered that it is not possible to repair the iPhone 12's camera without access to Apple's proprietary, cloud-linked System Configuration app, raising questions over the repairability of the device.

iFixit says that it conducted exhaustive testing, compared notes with multiple repair technicians, and reviewed leaked Apple training documents to reach the conclusion that the iPhone 12's camera "is entirely unreliable when swapped between iPhones."

The matter was first addressed by Hugh Jeffreys on YouTube:

After detecting "extremely odd results" when conducting a camera repair, iFixit found that the iPhone 12 camera, when transferred to another iPhone 12, appears to work on launch, but fails in actual use. It reportedly refuses to switch to the ultrawide camera, responds only to certain camera modes, and occasionally becomes completely unresponsive.

iFixit also recalled that until now, cameras have "generally been easy" to swap between iPhones of the same model. Although similar, resolvable issues occurred with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8's LCD screens and Taptic Engines, iFixit believes that there is now more cause for concern.

Apple's internal training guides for the iPhone 12, seen by iFixit, reportedly said that starting with the 12, authorized technicians will need to run Apple's proprietary, cloud-linked System Configuration app to fully repair cameras and screens.

Although it may theoretically be possible to complete camera and screen repairs without Apple's proprietary technology, iFixit is pessimistic about what the move means for independent repairs.

Apple, by design or neglect or both, is making it extremely hard to repair an iPhone without their blessing... It doesn't look good for independent repair. Apple is putting yet another question mark on a core component of the iPhone. Why? Why does a camera need to have its serial number authorized remotely by Apple just to let someone take pictures with their phone?

It is possible that Apple could address the iPhone 12's camera swap behavior with a future software update, but iFixit believes this is unlikely.

Taken together with the System Configuration document, and all the other bugs, tricks, and intentional lock-outs that Apple has put in the way of fully functioning iPhones, we take this as a sign that things won't get any better unless there is major change—from within, from customer demand, or from the law.

There is an argument to suggest that warning an iPhone owner about non-genuine parts, especially if the phone was bought used, is useful information, but iFixit notes that the camera module is not a security component.

It's a part prone to malfunction and damage, and can be harvested from otherwise-broken iPhones. Putting an authentication check on a simple camera swap poisons the iPhone repair and resale market. With no obvious benefit for iPhone buyers, it reeks of greed. Or worse: planned obsolescence.

Last week, iFixit scored the iPhone 12 a six out of ten for repairability. In response to this discovery about the camera module, iFixit is now actively reevaluating how its repairability scale scores iPhones going forward.

Article Link: iPhone 12 Camera Repairs Require Apple's Proprietary System Configuration Tool

 

[markfc]

What are the chances of a cheap 3rd party replacement camera having embedded malware/remote access etc?

 

[jav6454]

Many might argue the camera is not a security component. I do see it as such. Yes, it's a pain. But I'd rather pay the cost to have a functional camera vs a copy-cat module half-baked.

In the end, if I bought a iPhone for the point-and-shoot, I might as well ensure the camera works as intended by the manufacturer.

 

[and 1989 others]

As I get older I increasingly look for harware, of all kinds, that I can repair myself with a basic set of tools should they fail.
This is bad news.

 

[Reason077]

The noose tightens just a little bit each year, with each new iPhone.

 

[[AUT] Thomas]

Enough... Right to Repair needs be put in law. Any arbitrary limitation to swap parts should result in ban of sale of the device.

Many might argue the camera is not a security component. I do see it as such. Yes, it's a pain. But I'd rather pay the cost to have a functional camera vs a copy-cat module half-baked.

In the end, if I bought a iPhone for the point-and-shoot, I might as well ensure the camera works as intended by the manufacturer.

Yeah, right. Bring it to Apple then, but allow the rest of us to turn 2 broken iphones into one working one...

 

[appleguy123]

I think Apple is trying to make the theft of iPhones less desirable. First they stopped stolen iPhones from being usable without the iCloud password, now they're coming for the stolen for parts market.

 

[JPack]

Seems like the margins from deleting the power adapter and EarPods weren’t enough to satisfy Apple.

 

[stainless]

I believe and surprised that ifixit isn’t addressing is the amount of iPhones coming from China that are considered zombie iPhones. These are phones that are put together with a bunch of fake or stolen parts minus the few “required” Apple parts that are serialized. This is a much bigger market in China for these “fake, yet real” iPhones.

Additionally, if you bought your iPhone for the high end camera capabilities and you went to repair at the local “questionable but cheap” shop, they use a fake/cheap camera component and all of a sudden your Apple experience is crap and it’s not Apples fault but that of some other greedy person (not that Apple isn’t trying itself to be greedy!)

Thoughts?

 

[PickUrPoison]

According to iFixit, “putting an authentication check on a simple camera swap poisons the iPhone repair and resale market.”

Does it really? Personally, I want to know if an iPhone has a cheap aftermarket part. Especially if it’s been repaired by the likes of Asurion et al.

 

[JPack]

I think Apple is trying to make the theft of iPhones less desirable. First they stopped stolen iPhones from being usable without the iCloud password, now they're coming for the stolen for parts market.

Nah. Because Apple could lock the parts only when iCloud is locked. This isn’t rocket science.

 

[fernelius]

It could be Apple is trying to address zombie phones and similar challenges. Is it possible Apple is calibrating each camera for color and/or brightness for HDR10 or Dolby Vision?

 

[aaadktda]

There was another guy on youtube that discovered this before them. Maybe it would be nice to give him credit for it.

 

[Toratek]

I don’t have the slightest interest in some drooling mall kiosk “technician” “repairing” my iPhone. Cameras on phones and iPad/Macs absolutely ARE a security issue, and I personally don’t trust anyone but Apple to work on security related items on my gear.

That’s entirely aside from the fact that “Ifixit” made NO effort to acknowledge that their “procedures” in the “test” may be the root cause of the “issues” they ”discovered” when they tried to swap cameras among devices. Having seen their “technicians” at work on their videos, I would not be the least bit surprised if they buggered the device up themselves.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Seems like the margins from deleting the power adapter and EarPods weren’t enough to satisfy Apple.

Apple’s gross profit margin for hardware is at an all-time low in the just-announced Q4FY20, beating even the previous quarter’s record low of 29.9%.

 

[JPack]

I believe and surprised that ifixit isn’t addressing is the amount of iPhones coming from China that are considered zombie iPhones. These are phones that are put together with a bunch of fake or stolen parts minus the few “required” Apple parts that are serialized. This is a much bigger market in China for these “fake, yet real” iPhones.

Additionally, if you bought your iPhone for the high end camera capabilities and you went to repair at the local “questionable but cheap” shop, they use a fake/cheap camera component and all of a sudden your Apple experience is crap and it’s not Apples fault but that of some other greedy person (not that Apple isn’t trying itself to be greedy!)

Thoughts?

Apple already has a Zombie check hardware tool. If it doesn't respond to the tool, the Apple Store sends the iPhone back to a service location for investigation before agreeing to replace it.

Your second point assumes the value of iPhone holds constant at $999 forever. There are plenty of iPhone X owners today who simply want to get their cracked display or non-focusing camera module replaced.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

There was another guy on youtube that discovered this before them. Maybe it would be nice to give him credit for it.

Paragraph six.

 

[appahappa]

As I get older I increasingly look for harware, of all kinds, that I can repair myself with a basic set of tools should they fail.
This is bad news.

I doubt that you are able to repair any of modern electronics and definitely not a microscopic small camera of any phone on the market. This is a non-issue.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Did no one read to the third paragraph of this article? iFixit isn't using third party camera modules, they literally swapped modules between two iPhone 12s.

 

[JPack]

Apple’s gross profit margin for hardware is at an all-time low, beating even last quarter’s record low of 29.9%.

Now know why Apple must increase margin in other areas, particularly Services.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

I doubt that you are able to repair any of modern electronics and definitely not a microscopic small camera of any phone on the market. This is a non-issue.

The camera modules are enormous.

 

[PJS_SoCal]

iFixIt is making a mountain out of a molehill. I have owned every model of iPhone except the iPhone 4. I have never needed to perform a repair on a single one.

My OG iPhone had a faulty touchscreen and was replaced under warranty at about 4 months old. I had a similar issue with my iPhone 6 after about 2 months. I attribute both of these issues to initial production of an entirely new device design (I always purchase on launch day). Apple’s customer service was impeccable in both situations.

Aside from these two ‘infant mortalities’ which didn’t require a repair, I have never needed to fix anything on an iPhone or even replace a battery. For the vast majority of iPhone users, repair is a hypothetical situation.

iPhones are crazy reliable devices and keep getting more reliable every year.

 

[npmacuser5]

Fixing today’s automobiles requires cloud based software tools. Want sophisticated technology, requires sophisticated repair technologies. The street mechanic all but gone on newer automobile. Shoud be of no surprise that a complex device like iPhone would require advanced technology tools.

 

[idrewuk]

I’m missing the point of ‘iFixIt’ completely. Who are they? Why is this of interest to 99% of buyers? Most people I imagine couldn’t give a toss about whether their iPhone components are glued together or a camera module can’t be repaired.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

iFixIt is making a mountain out of a molehill. I have owned every model of iPhone except the iPhone 4. I have never needed to perform a repair on a single one.

My OG iPhone had a faulty touchscreen and was replaced under warranty at about 4 months old. I had a similar issue with my iPhone 6 after about 2 months. I attribute both of these issues to initial production of an entirely new device design (I always purchase on launch day). Apple’s customer service was impeccable in both situations.

Aside from these two ‘infant mortalities’ which didn’t require a repair, I have never needed to fix anything on an iPhone or even replace a battery. For the vast majority of iPhone users, repair is a hypothetical situation.

iPhones are crazy reliable devices and keep getting more reliable every year.

You're replacing your phone every year, of course you are going to find them reliable.