14 DAY TRIAL // The new iPhone 13 comes not only with a series of worthy upgrades, but also with a new Apple approach towards third-party repairs performed by independent shops.
More specifically, Apple no longer allows screen repairs unless it specifically approves the whole thing, with an unofficial repair leaving an iPhone 13 with an error that disables Face ID completely on the said device.
iFixit has investigated the change and noticed that it’s nearly impossible for third-party repair shops to perform a screen repair using the tools they have and without actually investing in very expensive equipment.
“Apple has not provided a way for owners or independent shops to pair a new screen. Authorized technicians with access to proprietary software, Apple Services Toolkit 2, can make new screens work by logging the repair to Apple’s cloud servers and syncing the serial numbers of the phone and screen. This gives Apple the ability to approve or deny each individual repair,” iFixit explains.
In theory, the easy way to repair shops to do the whole thing is to become a member of the Independent Repair Program, but on the other hand, this comes with the shortcoming of no longer protecting customers’ privacy.
“Small shops could be shuttered”
And the only method to deal with the whole thing is to just transfer a soldered chip from the original screen to the replacement unit. This requires microsoldering and needs a microscope for the process, and it goes without saying not everybody can afford such equipment and eventually be able to use it properly.
iFixit says this is due to how Apple wants to have the ability t approve or deny every individual repair performed on an iPhone.
“The iPhone 13 is paired to its screen using this small microcontroller, in a condition repair techs often call “serialization.” Apple has not provided a way for owners or independent shops to pair a new screen. Authorized technicians with access to proprietary software, Apple Services Toolkit 2, can make new screens work by logging the repair to Apple’s cloud servers and syncing the serial numbers of the phone and screen,” they say.
iFixit warns small shops are very likely to be impacted by this change, as they could be forced to close unless they have the budget to invest in expensive equipment.