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iPhone Screen Repairs to Get Faster as Apple Moves to Software-Only Calibration Process

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Apple has announced that its iPhone display calibration process no longer requires specialized hardware, according to an internal service-related document obtained by MacRumors today.

Starting today, Genius Bars and Apple Authorized Service Providers can calibrate the display on a repaired iPhone 6s or newer by simply connecting the device to a Mac mini or MacBook Air running Apple's calibration and diagnostics software, without the need to use a so-called 3D Touch Calibration Fixture.

horizonmachine-800x534.jpg
3D Touch Calibration Fixture via Reuters​

Apple says this change will result in three benefits for service providers and customers:
  1. More flexible workspaces for service providers, as the calibration fixture takes up quite a bit of space.
    Reduced wait times for customers, suggesting that the software-based calibration process is faster.
    Later this year, more Apple Authorized Service Providers around the world will have an opportunity to expand their in-store repair offerings to include iPhone display repairs.
Apple will outline the required steps for service providers to transition from the hardware to the software process later today, according to the internal communication, which was earlier reported by iMore's Rene Ritchie.

Apple Authorized Service Providers with a 3D Touch Calibration Fixture will be required to return the hardware at a later date to be announced.

iPhone display calibration ensures that a replacement display is fully integrated with the device's logic board at the system level. The process has been required since the arrival of Touch ID on the iPhone 5s in 2013, followed by 3D Touch on the iPhone 6s and newer, and Face ID on the iPhone X and newer.

Touch ID and Face ID calibration was already completed in software, and now 3D Touch calibration will be too, completely eliminating the need for hardware. If the display on an iPhone is replaced, but the calibration process is not completed, then Touch ID, Face ID, and/or 3D Touch will not function.

Apple only provided a handful of third-party service providers with its calibration fixture, so this change should result in faster, more flexible, and more widely available iPhone screen repairs in many countries.

Since Apple made Horizon machines available to Authorized Service Providers, there are more AASPs that can provide screen fixes than Apple Stores worldwide, making it quicker and faster for customers to get a screen repair. With change to a software-based calibration process, thousands more AASPs will be able to provide in-store screen fixes without the need to send devices off for repair.

Article Link: iPhone Screen Repairs to Get Faster as Apple Moves to Software-Only Calibration Process
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/17/iphone-calibration-process-now-software-only/
  • Like
Reactions: Vanilla35
Something tells me that software-based calibration, no matter how advanced, cannot beat hardware-based calibration.

Unless the hardware steps are now taking place at the factory prior to shipment I’m concerned that displays calibrated with software will be less accurate.
 
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Reactions: kazmac, jpn, GubbyMan and 7 others
Brookzy said:
Something tells me that software-based calibration, no matter how advanced, cannot beat hardware-based calibration.

Unless the hardware steps are now taking place at the factory prior to shipment I’m concerned that displays calibrated with software will be less accurate.
Click to expand...
"Calibration" is a bit of a misnomer. What they really mean is pairing the replacement parts to the logic board as a means of "security" by preventing non-AASP third party repair.
 
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how much is this actually used? ive worked on thousands of iphones, and not once seen a need to "calibrate" the display. if a user complains about 3d touch working (which is never), we just swap the screen. Apple claimed over a year ago that they would begin sharing their tools with 3rd party repair venues. We asked our Apple rep, recently about that. We basically go laughed at.
 
MacRumors said:

Starting today, Genius Bars and Apple Authorized Service Providers can calibrate the display on a repaired iPhone 6s or newer by simply connecting the device to a Mac mini or MacBook Air running Apple's calibration and diagnostics software, without the need to use a so-called 3D Touch Calibration Fixture.
Click to expand...

Why did they specify the Mac Mini and MacBook Air, the only two Macs left with USB type-A ports? I thought USB-C was the future? ;)
 
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Reactions: freedomlinux, kazmac, Äpfelchen and 6 others
drewsof07 said:
"Calibration" is a bit of a misnomer. What they really mean is pairing the replacement parts to the logic board as a means of "security" by preventing non-AASP third party repair.
Click to expand...
This is part of it... but the machine would also apply pressure to different parts of the screen to calibrate 3D Touch.
 
Why can't they build software calibration into the OS so that I can calibrate my own device to my fingers? I always fat-finger the same letters and it's a pain that autocorrect isn't always correct.
 
How about give owners the option to download this software and "calibrate" their own iPhones. I should just have the option to input my iPhone password. Perhaps even go so far as iCloud verification. Then authorize a new home button as part of my secure enclave. If somehow, no matter how unlikely, I authorize some non-secure, hacked home button. That is my problem for not paying Apple for the repair.
 
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Reactions: Ultramove69
by simply connecting the device to a Mac mini or MacBook Air

They mean the "actual" models, right?
 
Yvan256 said:
Why did they specify the Mac Mini and MacBook Air, the only two Macs left with USB type-A ports? I thought USB-C was the future? ;)
Click to expand...

probably using those machines, especially the Mac Mini, because they are the least selling so removing 3-4 from the inventory has no bottom line effect
 
What Apple has to do is reduce the screen repair pricing off ALL IPHONES to $99 or less and stop overpricing its support service.
 
BootsWalking said:
How about Apple throw this up on the Mac store so that everyone has the option of replacing their own screens?
Click to expand...

Apple doesn't want everyone replacing their screens so that would be a hard no. but don't worry i'm sure the same schmo that is leaking these photos and documents to Macrumors will try to swipe a copy of the software to upload to one of those torrent sites for folks
 
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