Apple seems to be putting another stop to unapproved iPhone repairs: For all models of the new iPhone 12 – from mini to Pro to Pro Max – According to an internal document, it is necessary to carry out a “system configuration” for the first time after replacing the screen or after replacing the camera system. A special app from the manufacturer is required for this, to which only authorized technicians have access, as the repair service provider iFixit reports.

iPhone warning for third-party batteries Such a system configuration is already for the battery replacement in iPhones from year of manufacture 2018 Requirement. If the battery of a third-party manufacturer is used in these models by an independent workshop, the operating system displays a warning for several days that it “cannot be verified that this iPhone has an original battery from Apple,” it says. Information about the battery condition is also not available.

The use of the iPhone will not be affected, emphasizes Apple. The measure is intended to protect the iPhone customer, who is warned of a damaged or “poor quality” battery.

What specific side effects of the unauthorized exchange of the display and camera on the iPhone 12 without subsequently carrying out the system configuration remains open for the time being. According to tests by iFixit, at least the original screens of two iPhone – 12 – models could be exchanged without major side effects. The repair service provider only sometimes received the erroneous warning that the display was “possibly not real”. By switching from LCD to OLED, the approved screen replacement for the iPhone 12 has become significantly more expensive.

Original iPhone parts only recently for independent workshops With the iPhone 12 Pro is it was also possible to insert the camera module of one device into another device, so iFixit. With the iPhone 12 (without Pro) there were considerable problems after the exchange, which made normal use of the camera practically impossible.

Apple has only recently started making original iPhone parts and special tools available to independent repairers if they join Apple’s “Independent Repair Provider Program” and comply with regulations. That should preserve the “safety and quality”, so the group. Previously it was impossible for independent repair shops to obtain original Apple parts.

(lbe)