Oregon's New Right to Repair Law Bans 'Parts Pairing' Restrictions

[aj_niner]

Manufacturers like Apple are not able to require customers to use Apple-sourced parts that then have to be authenticated, with the bill giving Apple device owners the right to use new parts, used parts, or third-party parts.

MR forgot to include "stolen parts" "parts from stolen donor devices".

A reason why Apple went all OCD on parts pairing was also to reduce the desirability of Apple devices among thieves if Apple can prevent the use of stolen parts/devices onto legitimate broken devices.

 

[aj_niner]

Apple’s repair policies have nothing to do with profits and everything to do with control. Apple does not make significant profits from repairs. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they broke even or lost money all things considered.

When Apple's batterygate occurred they offered discounted genuine battery replacement.

Compare the price gap between that discounted price before and after. That's their profit margin.

 

[Analog Kid]

By similar argument, just because you fit a non-OEM replacement display, they shouldn't be able to void your logic board warranty unless they can PROVE that the display or (how it was installed) that led to the failure.

This is the problem. We have lots of people who don’t understand that opening and handling the product at all puts the logic board at risk and changing the display just increases the risk further.

A phone is not a car. A 3nm circuit is not a V8.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

Oregon this week signed a Right to Repair bill into law, and it is notable because it is the first such law that puts a stop to the practice of parts pairing.

And believe me, I’m EXTREMELY disappointed in our state legislature passing this bill.

This bill is disaster waiting to happen, especially when it comes to batteries. I support right to self repair but only if it’s done with GENUINE parts of manufacture approved OEM parts. Last thing I want is my phone catching on fire because the repair person put in cheap battery that was not properly made.

Believe me, my ballot in November 2026 is going to reflect that unless lawmakers here change it.

 

[macduke]

So does this make the Secure Enclave illegal? Because isn't it paired to other device hardware?

 

[Sogeman]

There is a world of difference between John Deere requiring a technician to Enter a code to change an oil filter, And Apple ensuring that a component like a camera or wifi chip doesn’t have a hardware exploit inserted by an intelligence agency in the supply chain.

And that’s not an outlandish example. Every country with an intelligence agency has departments dedicated to doing exactly that kind of thing.

NSA Hacker Chief Explains How to Keep Him Out of Your System

The nation's hacker-in-chief took up the ironic task at the Enigma Conference in San Francisco.

www.wired.com

That’s the reality of why Apple encrypts the data traffic across components. People want to pretend that repairs are somehow a lucrative business model for Apple when it’s a rounding error in terms of revenue.

Tech illiterate lawmakers are just bowing to the pressure from these influences in The same way the FBI for years insisted it wasn’t *technically impossible* for it to ask Apple for a backdoor to encryption just for “the good guys”.

Sure buddy, Apple locks parts because they want to thwart intelligence agencies. Definitely not so they can charge more for repairs.

 

[NT1440]

Sure buddy, Apple locks parts because they want to thwart intelligence agencies. Definitely not so they can charge more for repairs.

They make more money on the claims of privacy and security as a product differentiator than they do from repairs, buddy.

Even run ad campaigns on it, pal.

They have released white papers and technical documentation that’s available for anybody to challenge. This would expose them to massive lawsuits for fraud if they are shown to be lying about their claims of their security functions and procedures.

But I’m sure the new hot take that repairs are a worthwhile revenue stream to prioritize over actual sales makes a lot of business sense, friend.

🙄

https://help.apple.com/pdf/security/en_US/apple-platform-security-guide.pdf

 

[1129846]

They make more money on the claims of privacy and security as a product differentiator than they do from repairs, buddy.

Even run ad campaigns on it, pal.

They have released white papers and technical documentation that’s available for anybody to challenge. This would expose them to massive lawsuits for fraud if they are shown to be lying about their claims of their security functions and procedures.

But I’m sure the new hot take that repairs are a worthwhile revenue stream to prioritize over actual sales makes a lot of business sense, friend.

🙄

https://help.apple.com/pdf/security/en_US/apple-platform-security-guide.pdf

Dont confuse the claims which while true claims are not the real reason Apple does it.
Apple could get those same claims with a lot less road blocks to repairs and in all honestly same claims and a lot less work on their side.

 

[flexwithmarius]

Ah yes, can’t wait to see people complain about their new battery from Temu and their screens from Wish. If you’re poor just say so, go buy a $2 android, that’s why those phones are still being made.

Yep, 100%. Penny wise, dollar foolish.

I’ve got AppleCare on the important devices and that’s enough savings on out of pocket repair costs for my liking, while getting quality repair parts installed.

I’ve used third party chop shops that sell junk repair parts for cheap (Screenworks I’m looking at you) and you get what you pay for…like a non-OLED screen with neon colors. Never again.

The only exception I’d make for using non-Apple parts is for vintage products that they’ve simply stopped producing parts for. But vintage products aren’t my thing, so there’s that.

 

[flexwithmarius]

They make more money on the claims of privacy and security as a product differentiator than they do from repairs, buddy.

Even run ad campaigns on it, pal.

They have released white papers and technical documentation that’s available for anybody to challenge. This would expose them to massive lawsuits for fraud if they are shown to be lying about their claims of their security functions and procedures.

But I’m sure the new hot take that repairs are a worthwhile revenue stream to prioritize over actual sales makes a lot of business sense, friend.

🙄

https://help.apple.com/pdf/security/en_US/apple-platform-security-guide.pdf

Repairs are definitely a loss. They may make up some of that thru AppleCare premiums but even then, probably not much.

 

[vicviper789]

WELL ACKSHULLY, if you read the law, farm equipment, air conditioning units, and vehicles are EXEMPT. Soooooo yea

I was hired to lead not read

 

[Denzo]

Let the complaining of “My eBay parts ruined my phone” and blaming Apple for it start.

Said no one ever. Please. About time we can get parts at a reasonable price.

Does remind me of my old iPhone X.

Apple said the face ID simply can't be repaired. Need to replace while unit. Goodwill price of $1000.

Low and behold 3 years later it's an easy fix.

Thanks Apple, no, really.

 

[erikkfi]

consumers gain nothing from this. folks who want to pretend to be electronic experts who screw up phones will benefit. and taking rights away from how a company does business in a way where they care about the device and how it works, helps no one. But drunk-uncles who think they are experts will have a ball...destroying phones.

This is hilarious. Apple shareholders can make any pro-consumer policy sound like hell.

 

[vakarpochui]

As always … safety, security, safety, security…

 

[Born Again]

Great! Go after Apple for requiring Apple Serialized Parts used in Apple iPhone and Mac Repairs

It sucks.

Dude did you read the article? lol

Whoosh!

It’s unfair to lock parts to phones. It’s wasteful and Apple does it to sell more authorized parts.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

Not how the warranty works.

The complete warranty can not nor should it be voided if a 3rd party part is used. The only part of the warranty void from the OEM is on the part replaced. The other parts of the warranty can be void if and only if the non OEM part caused the damage and it is on the OEM to provide it.

Part of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. You do not want what you listed to ever happen. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act was put in place due to bull shot warranty denials.

And when the repair company breaks the phone and it is proven, you can either sue them out of business or well, just never go to a third party shop and maintain your full warranty by going to the Apple Store.

 

[vakarpochui]

And when the repair company breaks the phone and it is proven, you can either sue them out of business or well, just never go to a third party shop and maintain your full warranty by going to the Apple Store.

How about we don’t assume anything and imagine this simple world where I can repair my **** myself or let someone else do it without having to jump through hoops?

 

[electronicsguy]

Intelligence services everywhere are thrilled.

Phone taken at customs, hack installed while you wait.

Visiting China is going to be even more fun.

As if intelligence agencies care about the rules …

 

[CraigJDuffy]

Apple’s repair policies have nothing to do with profits and everything to do with control. Apple does not make significant profits from repairs. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they broke even or lost money all things considered.

Got a source for that? When my 2015 MBP keyboard and trackpad failed I was quoted hundreds of £ for a top case replacement. Issue was a £8 flex cable….

 

[CraigJDuffy]

As a consumer, am I getting genuine parts? I’d think not.

If they are going to do this I think repair shops should offer OEM and aftermarket repair parts/pricing.

May the best parts win!

Great. Now if apple would sell those parts to third parties at a reasonable price

 

[CraigJDuffy]

I support right to repair. I support access to genuine parts and having the choice to use non-genuine ones if desired. I think parts pairing may possibly boost security and curb the harvesting of parts from stolen products. But I also think it would be clever and innovative if Apple could provide these benefits without restricting the freedom to repair. If that were to happen then this bill would be beneficial I think.

I own almost all the Apple products. It would be kinda nice to be able to swap a better logic board into my Apple Silicon MacBook Pro after a couple years since the specs are non-upgradable. As I understand parts pairing restricts my ability to do that.

Yeah exactly. Failed logic board? No problem. Grab one from another Mac with a busted screen.

 

[svish]

Good to see strong consumer sided right to repair bills. Win for customers.

 

[SpotOnT]

or visiting the US for a vacation if you happen to be Chinese, Russian, etc.

Do they still sell iPhones in Russia?

I thought Apple stopped distribution in the country after Russia’s imperial invasion.

 

[cicalinarrot]

Let the complaining of “My eBay parts ruined my phone” and blaming Apple for it start.

I’m a former repairman and I can 100% certify you have no idea what you’re talking about.

We could buy all non-paired ICs from China and keep phones alive. Parts were not always reliable, that’s why we had warranty. We could save phones that were absolutely not worthy of a motherboard swap.
If the modem IC was broken, the phone was unrepairable. Done. No solution. This is ridiculous.

People can already repair iPhones with third party parts. I’ve heard none of my hundreds of customers blame Apple for a faulty cheap LCD they got somewhere else. They blame whoever sold them the part. How is this not obvious to you?

From a technical point of view, you know nothing. From a human point of view… would you give up the possibility to repair all things because people may complain about it?

Edit:
Also, we know very well that those parts can be reliably swapped because they are very often removed and put back on for other reasons like repairing tracks underneath.
Also Apple could just give people who do soldering the ICs if third party ones are a problem to you.
Their “right to repair” compliance is greedy corporate BS.

Edit 2
I focused on motherboard IC pairing and didn’t mention there’s one more big thing you ignore: other parts with paired ICs are already swapped with third party components in many cases, but you have to transfer the IC, a soldering operation that’s pricey, time consuming (hence pricier, work costs) and risky (hence more pricier since components may be wasted).
So, if something is making third party components pricier and less reliable, it’s Apple’s policy.

 

[TheOldChevy]

Note to self: NEVER buy a second hand Apple device ever again.

It's like buying a second hand car. It makes perfectly sense as long as you know what you are doing.