This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
Apple's Screen Repair Warning: A Step Too Far? ¶
Apple has never been a fan of user repairs, and its latest move is no exception. The company has introduced a new warning system for iPhone users who replace their screens with non-genuine parts.
According to a new support page, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max users will see an 'Important Display Message' if they replace their screens with aftermarket components. The message will say 'Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple display.'
But here's the thing: the warning is not just about non-genuine parts. Even if you swap out your screen with a 100% legitimate Apple-manufactured display, the message will still appear. And it's not just a one-time thing - the warning will be displayed for four days, then moved to the Settings menu, and finally to the About section of the Settings app.
So, what's the problem? The issue is that without the software tools required to authorize the repair, the message is still shown. Even swapping the FaceID hardware along with the display doesn't make the message go away.
Apple has been clear on its goal to verify third-party repair stores, but its methods have been criticized for being overly restrictive. The company recently announced that it would begin opening up its process for authorizing more repair shops to become Apple-authorized resellers, but the repair programs it created in the past have done a poor job of providing useful service.
Companies that signed up under these rules were often required to ship products back to Apple for repair rather than completing the work themselves. Apple still maintains that it can forbid any firm from performing Apple screen repairs for any reason, and that completing its required coursework and certifications does not guarantee that a business will be allowed to qualify as an Apple-authorized repair center.
So, what's the takeaway? Apple's screen repair warning is a step too far in discouraging user repairs. While the company's goal of verifying third-party repair stores is understandable, its methods are overly restrictive and do not provide users with the flexibility they need.
