Apple Made It Impossible For DIY Fixers To Replace Their iPhone 13 Screens

Apple Made It Impossible For DIY Fixers To Replace Their iPhone 13 Screens

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It is now extremely expensive and more complicated for third-party repair outlets to perform iPhone 13 screen replacements (without breaking Face ID).

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Apple Made It Impossible For DIY Fixers To Replace Their iPhone 13 Screens

An in-depth hardware study has revealed that replacing the screen on an iPhone 13 series device is harder than ever due to a new microcontroller, and the process ends up disabling Face ID for folks that don’t have access to Apple’s proprietary servicing software. Apple is not a very strong proponent of third-party repairs and this is not the first time the company’s hardware has proven a problem.

Following the introduction of iPhones with Touch ID, third-party screen repairs would disable the fingerprint sensor, something that Apple said was due to security reasons. Just over one month ago, it was also revealed that changing an iPhone 13’s screen disabled the Face ID authentication system, even if the replacement screen was a genuine panel taken from another functioning iPhone 13 unit. This was seen by some as another attempt by Apple to lock cheaper third-party repair outlets out, and at a time when calls for more robust right-to-repair regulations are intensifying.

Now, iFixit has revealed the reason why Face ID stops working when the screen on an iPhone 13 is replaced by a third-party repair outlet. To be clear, it doesn’t have anything to do with the now-smaller Face ID hardware footprint. Instead, Apple has fitted a small microcontroller chip beneath the iPhone 13’s display that’s soldered in place. For personnel at an authorized repair shop registered with Apple’s servicing program, they can easily make an iPhone 13 accept screen replacements by matching the screen and phone’s serial numbers using Apple’s proprietary software. Third-party repair outlets without access to Apple’s software can’t do the same, which means they now have to rely on expensive machinery to perform a task that requires a lot more money, time, and skill.

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Another Right-To-Repair Wakeup Call

The only solution to perform a safe replacement procedure on an iPhone 13 screen without breaking Face ID is manually taking out the microcontroller chip that uses a ball grid array (BGA) surface-mount packaging, and soldering it to the replacement screen. A move iFixit refers to as “the strongest case yet for right to repair laws.” For third-party repair outlets, they now need to buy an expensive microscope and microsoldering tools. However, microsoldering is something that requires a lot of skill and experience, and not every outlet will be able to offer the service even if they had the right equipment.

Put simply, an Apple authorized technician can replace the screen on an iPhone 13 without any extra skills or tools required, thanks to Apple’s proprietary software that makes it easy to match the part serial numbers. For third-party repair outlets that could earlier perform the screen replacement on a much tighter budget, they now need to spend thousands of dollars on expensive tools and need the skills to get the job done. Apple has never been a fan of third-party repairs, and this latest change will simply be seen as another tactic to continue choking the industry.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/apple-iphone-13-screen-diy-third-party-repairs-harder/

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