Apple brings Activation Lock to iPhone parts with iOS 18
Posted by HeroYouKey_SawAnon@reddit | hardware | View on Reddit | 86 comments
Posted by HeroYouKey_SawAnon@reddit | hardware | View on Reddit | 86 comments
spamyak@reddit
So to be clear, this means that the vast majority of devices damaged or otherwise discarded will never be able to be used for parts, unless the original owner goes out of their way to unlock it?
YZJay@reddit
It's a very common, if not default practice, for stores that accept old iPhones for recycling to ask the seller or donor if they've unlinked the device from their iCloud account. And if not, they give out instructions on how to, either through the device itself or through the browser.
HeroYouKey_SawAnon@reddit (OP)
The supply of most cheap parts on the market right now are made possible by stolen phones being parted off. Reducing that avenue will reduce supply yes.
Also unlocking parts may be a cloud database that Apple controls. In other words it could be that removing the damaged device from an owner's iCloud is enough to release any parts for reuse even if the device itself isn't able to be powered on.
Apprehensive-Bus6676@reddit
The solution is for Apple and their suppliers to make more spare parts available on the market at sane prices. That's how it works. Doing this just means there are no spare parts, so customers are reliant on Apple's "generosity". It's the wrong solution to the wrong problem.
AnonymousExchange@reddit
for sure a anti right to repair thing.
Odd_Bar_2761@reddit
In what way is this anti repair?
i_max2k2@reddit
At first I thought this was a nefarious attempt to minimize self repairs, but this could definitely help reduce iPhone thefts.
HeroYouKey_SawAnon@reddit (OP)
It's one of those difficult questions to crack since ease of repair does heavily overlap with the ease of theft profitability. Same with the repair vs durability arguments.
reddit_equals_censor@reddit
this is complete and utter nonsense. this "argument" doesn't exist. it only exist in apple propaganda land, where apple is taking up half a video bringing up this lie on a popular tech youtube channel (mkbhd)
here is louis rossmann breaking down this apple nonsense propaganda:
https://odysee.com/@rossmanngroup:a/uncovering-every-lie-in-mkbhd's-softball:3
the idea, that you are bringing this up on a hardware subreddit is actually shocking as well.
please stop following apple or other manufacturer propaganda.
there is NO repair vs durability argument. it does NOT exist.
apple is full of shit. apple is trying to justify anti consumer behavior.
you can have easy to repair devices, that are extremely durable.
thinkpads, proper thinkpads are easy to repair and durable.
framework laptops are easy to repair and durable.
waterproof shock resistant phones and small devices can be easy to repair and durable.
NO, one doesn't need to glue in the back to have a waterproof phone or other device.
and again apple is making those FAKE arguments in the same breath as they are serializing parts to make devices deliberately unrepairable.
they are just LYING to you. please don't fall for their bullshit.
Zoroike@reddit
Your down votes aren't deserved, i agree with everything you say
reddit_equals_censor@reddit
yeah that's crazy. i'd expect people in a hardware reddit to be generally aware of this or appreciate the louis rossmann reference at least...
maybe some apple anti repair bots trying to keep basic facts away from the masses ;)
idk.
New_Cod3625@reddit
no me imagino ningún escenario en el que afecte esto al reemplazo de piezas salvo en el escenario de que el dueño del iPhone se le haya roto la pantalla y lo vende por piezas, pero siempre se podrá desactivar ese bloqueo desde icloud.com
Los que están en contra de esta medida prácticamente están a favor del robo de teléfonos o simplemente es ignorancia y no han entendido muy bien como funciona.
Tasty-Traffic-680@reddit
Someone will have a flexible IC that sits between connectors and spoofs serials for certain parts within 6 months. Similar devices already exist and serial numbers/diagnostic info can already be overwritten on some aftermarket parts such as batteries.
AlgarHale@reddit
Apart from encryption, which is not really a solvable problem when done right, Apple also knows which serial numbers are real, and whether parts with those serials are already installed in an active device. You can't just create a new serial or copy one from an active part. The only option is copying a serial from a legit but broken part, which significantly limits the parts pool.
Tasty-Traffic-680@reddit
You spoof the serial of the legit broken part you're replacing or just swap over the actual IC to the new part. For batteries you can just reuse the original battery IC and flex cable but it has to be spot welded or soldered to a new cell. There's also tag-on flex cables like I mentioned before that sit between two connectors.
Check out a part site like MobileSentrix if you want to see all of the aftermarket parts available for iphones, including newer models despite any encryption or registered parts.
This is just one more hurdle and it's going to be cleared in a very short time the same as any other before it.
anival024@reddit
It's not going to happen that easily or quickly. The communication is likely encrypted.
XY-chroma@reddit
Yes. Someone will. One person. Something being technically possible does not make it desirable or economically beneficial. Just like how speed bumps don't stop people from speeding. They deter most of the criminals and overall reduce the problem.
Tasty-Traffic-680@reddit
Phone repair is a multi billion dollar industry with iphones easily being the largest chunk of that based purely on sales numbers and actual product repairability. Check aliexpress in a few months. It's just a big game of whack-a-mole.
hurrdurrmeh@reddit
Something something only the password owner.
i_max2k2@reddit
In my opinion decreasing theft should still remain a higher priority no matter how it might affect repairability.
That said hopefully component pricing will come down over time as it becomes easier to self repair these phones.
MonoShadow@reddit
Broke the screen and now can't log in? Battery is dead and you can't turn your phone on? Mobo is dead because water damage, but the rest is fine? You decided to get a new phone and sell the phone for parts? Congratulations! Now your old phone is e-waste.
To disable this activation lock the repair center would need to repair your phone with clean devices and then call you in to unlock it. Which will never happen.
With 1 simple move Apple has killed salvage market. Not those half dead phones are 100% dead. Hooray for environment.
i_max2k2@reddit
I’m hoping that Apple will give the users an ability to unlock the device part via a request system, as in you have swapped the part, request it to be unlocked by the previous owner etc
MeelyMee@reddit
Any effect will be short lived, the market always springs into action and the (re)programming tools will be months away from any iPhone release.
siazdghw@reddit
It's definitely the later. Apple can and does do plenty to be anti-repair, and could easily implement other systems that would work better than this to hinder third party repairs. Though this feature definitely still benefits Apple, since it means less Frankenstein phones using stolen parts will be sold, which in turn means Apple will sell slightly more devices.
Think about it, the most valuable item most people carry today isnt cash, it isnt a fancy watch, it's their phone. The average person in America probably has $500+ in their pocket, because most people have a decent phone here.
When I was robbed, the criminals never even tried to use my credit cards, but tried several times to send me unlock requests for my phone. I'm assuming after a couple months it ended up getting sold as locked and being disassembled for parts in China or elsewhere, but doing that meant the value of the stolen phone plummeted, and this new feature would make phone theft even less worthwhile if the parts are now blocked from use (though im sure it will eventually get cracked).
i_max2k2@reddit
Exactly, once this becomes a norm with most phones, these personal thefts should have a significant dent in numbers. Fingers crossed. 🤞
etzel1200@reddit
Yeah, I’m honestly willing to give up self repair if it makes thefts less likely. Sad as that is.
It took months for me to be comfortable riding the light rail after getting mugged. And I’m not exactly comfortable, just not as stressed and more careful.
i_max2k2@reddit
I don’t think they are implying that will be the case, just that if the part is sourced from a non stolen phone and the owner has removed the lock, they should be fine. It’s not an either or, but more of an ongoing process in the long term
AdeptFelix@reddit
This smells anti-repair. The entire justification for the feature depends on the problem of stolen phones being disassembled for parts. That leads to the question of: Who is buying the parts and why? I can't imagine many markets for iPhone parts and I can't imagine criminals taking the care to disassemble an iPhone to try and hawk it when it's so much easier and faster to flip a whole device. I don't buy the argument that criminals are parting phones. This looks oriented at those who would have the capacity and time to disassemble devices, i.e. repair shops using old or damaged devices for parts.
New_Cod3625@reddit
"no puedo imaginar que los criminales se tomen la molestia de desmontar un iPhone para intentar venderlo cuando es mucho más fácil y rápido vender un dispositivo completo"
Como vas a vender el dispositivo completo si está bloqueado por iCloud?
AdeptFelix@reddit
I see, it stems from a claim that 60% of repairs in China are fraudulent. That seems more like a regional corruption problem and not one that justifies a worldwide lockdown on parts.
Apprehensive-Bus6676@reddit
I don't know what that means. I worked at a place that repaired iPhones. We used whatever parts we could find that were available at an acceptable price and functioned as expected. We certainly didn't look for Apple's permission, because we shouldn't need Apple's permission to be able to repair people's phones.
siazdghw@reddit
Where do you think China gets these parts? Where do you think stolen devices that are locked end up?
Even if China completely eradicated black market phone and part sales, another country would take over that industry. It's also far easier for Apple to implement this, than it is shutdown these black market sales+repairs in China.
Acrobatic_Age6937@reddit
Often directly from the factory.
AdeptFelix@reddit
Apple could easily deal with these black markets by removing the need for them. The only reason iPhone parts are valuable like this is because no one can get parts to repair them in the first place. Remove the need for a black market, and the black market will go away. Repair stores don't want to buy parts from shady sources, so stop forcing them to go that way.
reddit_equals_censor@reddit
that's a lie.
apple is full of shit.
what is this actually all about?
this is about having an excuse for parts locking and a justification of having the serialization anti consumer AF hardware in each part in the first place.
that is what this is about.
also important to know. used iphones are often the only way to get parts for repair or at this dystopian point data recovery.
apple is full of shit, don't believe a word that apple is saying in their way to try to justify their anti consumer bs.
they want you to NOT be able to even recover your data.
they want you to not be able to buy parts to repair the device as well.
they want you enslaved and groveling before the glory of the anti consumer middle finger from apple.
___
also for those unaware this:
THIS is also a lie. the fake repair program was designed to be extremely costly and also spy on users.
they deliberately prevent financially viable repair in general.
for example sell the full screen assembly, instead of just the panel and 3rd party repair has to get a black market or whatever apple unicorn certiifcation machine, because remember, you can't get that shit parts lock out machine, that makes parts work properly, if you are 3rd party repair like louis rossmann for example.
apple is not your friend, they are your enemy.
New_Cod3625@reddit
calmate amigo, estás muy alterado, no piensas con claridad.
Las piezas no originales no están bloqueadas por iCloud.
Solamente las piezas robadas o de piezas que han estado anteriormente en otro iPhone y el propietario no ha desactivado el iCloud.
Antes de comprar un iPhone para piezas es tan sencillo como asegurarte de que el propietario ha desactivado el iCloud, y si no lo hace significa que ha sido robado o simplemente ha comprado un iPhone robado.
No es tan difícil de entender.
Gippy_@reddit
Haha no, this is just a middle finger against right to repair. Can't wait to hear Louis Rossmann rant about this one.
New_Cod3625@reddit
por que querías reparar un iphone con piezas robadas?
imaginary_num6er@reddit
I don't believe it until there's a Louis Rossman video
starcube@reddit
cue 90 minutes of angry ciruclar repetition
SchighSchagh@reddit
yes, but it's still very cathartic. I love me a solid Rossman rant now and again
Dr_CSS@reddit
Why use many word when few word does trick
Ziakel@reddit
It gotten so repetitive that I took an AI to summarize his rantings
starcube@reddit
I just zone out and close him if he doesn't get to any useful point within 10 minutes
porn_inspector_nr_69@reddit
his father did not love him, that's pretty much start and end of it.
AmusedFlamingo47@reddit
He does speak a lot while saying very little
starcube@reddit
Accurate and frustrating. I can't watch him.
porn_inspector_nr_69@reddit
thank you for voicing this. Louis has been a poison in the industry. Fucking loser with single point to say.
starcube@reddit
Yeah, I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree with you there. He has very valid points and has done lots of good for right to repair. I just can't stomach his brain-melting delivery in his videos. But I support him and his causes.
work-school-account@reddit
I still don't quite understand how he can be a strict libertarian while also supporting right to repair
RuinousRubric@reddit
... because it upholds basic property rights? Squaring this circle isn't exactly hard.
work-school-account@reddit
I'm guessing you think right to repair is about not being arrested for opening up your phone or laptop instead of being about regulations that say corporations have to provide spare parts and repair manuals and not lock down devices.
anival024@reddit
Try importing parts from overseas. If Apple/Samsung catch wind and don't like it, they will direct customs will seize your crap, drag you through court, and yes, you could face jail, even if you didn't do anything illegal.
RuinousRubric@reddit
Being free to do as you wish with property you own is much more central to libertarian thought than "no regulations," which is at best a debatable implication. It is not a stretch, at all, for a libertarian to say that companies shouldn't be designing their products in such a way as to limit what the buyer can do with them.
Tasty-Traffic-680@reddit
Money. He thinks because he was moderately successful all the things he does and thinks should apply to the entire rest of the world because it's what has worked or what is best for him. Except in this case it directly affects his ability to make money... sadly it's a pretty typical SMB owner mindset. The thing they'd never admit though is that they're never going to stop blaming others for their problems.
anival024@reddit
Have you ever watched a Louis Rossmann video? He's constantly telling you about his many failures and telling you how to not follow those failures but learn from his experience.
Have you ever watched a Louis Rossmann video? He goes to great lengths to put out free information on how to run a repair business and on how to actually do the work. He actively undermines his own bottom line in the interest of allowing people to actually own and repair their devices.
starcube@reddit
I don't know anything about him aside from him exposing anti-consumer bullshit on YouTube so I have no comment.
work-school-account@reddit
He's one of those "corporations should be able to do whatever they want and the government should stay out of it because free market" types, which kinda goes against everything the right to repair movement stands for
anival024@reddit
Says who? You?
XY-chroma@reddit
But he's not because he has never said that. LOL. I'm a "democrat" but I do not agree with or support a lot of things "democrats" do.
PorchettaM@reddit
He isn't really, in some of his more recent rants he even mentions he's gotten a lot more cynical about libertarianism over the years.
work-school-account@reddit
Interesting. I started watching his YouTube videos pretty much right after he started uploading them but stopped a couple years ago.
porn_inspector_nr_69@reddit
I don't. At least not in his self-promoting grandeur way.
XY-chroma@reddit
Yea we get it. You can't separate object fact from personality and emotions. You cannot hold 2 things to be true at the same time:
People like you need to have everything boiled down and connected to a 1 or a 0. Black or white. Dis gud or dis bad. Brain cannot compute more.
porn_inspector_nr_69@reddit
No, I just find it amusing that he is promising miracles to public where there are none.
starcube@reddit
Yeah he's obnoxious a lot of the time but at least he's exposing bullshit that Apple and other companies have been pulling for years.
1980techguy@reddit
They need to have an easy way for owners to release their parts with their iCloud account to support recyclers.
siazdghw@reddit
While I think most people recycle or sell their devices unlocked and factory wiped, in the case of damaged phones that probably isnt the case, and nobody is going to give their account details months later when parts are trying to be salvaged from their old recycled phone.
Ideally Apple would work with verified recyclers to have a system where they can put the serial number of the phone into an Apple server, and it would ping the persons iCloud account, creating a notification on their new Apple device asking if they authorize the recycling of the old device and that none of their data would be accessible if they agree. If they approve, the parts are 'released' for reuse. To prevent any rare abuse, after 3 rejected recycle notifications, they would no longer be able to ping the icloud account with the old phones serial number
1980techguy@reddit
'creating a notification on their new Apple device asking if they authorize the recycling of the old device and that none of their data would be accessible if they agree'
Yup, exactly what I meant.
pholan@reddit
As far as I’m aware, it’s as simple as removing the phone from your iCloud account. The check is made against Apple’s servers before accepting a new part so if they don’t show original phone as currently being iCloud locked then the part is accepted in its new home.
antifocus@reddit
It's good to see stolen iPhones decrease in value but not too sure how effective it'll be. One of the most valuable parts is the screen, and the current repair procedures already include the step to swap the IC storing the serial number.
reddit_equals_censor@reddit
if apple wouldn't be a lying evil anti consumer piece of shit company, then the proper way to disincentivice the THEORETICAL stealing of iphones for parts???
would be to have parts available at reasonable prices down to the chip and allow part makers to sell to 3rd party repair places.
apple rightnow is straight up preventing chip makers to sell sth as basic as a charging chip for a laptop or a phone.
if you could just buy the oled or lcd panel form the manufacturer and it would work perfectly fine and you'd get the quality, that apple uses, which WAS The case back in the day, then there would be far less supposed incenctive to steal phones for parts as apple claims is an issue.
compguy96@reddit
This seems fine. It's completely unrelated to fixing iPhones with aftermarket parts.
If you remove an original part from a device, you'd assume it's trash and won't be used again. It makes sense for that part to be locked if it belonged to a phone with Find My iPhone (activation lock) enabled.
However there should be an option for the Apple ID owner to remove the part from their account to make it accessible to someone else if it's not stolen, just like the rest of the device.
yabucek@reddit
It's not that simple, donor parts from dead devices are a huge deal in Apple repair since they don't allow 3rd party parts.
compguy96@reddit
They don't allow original Apple parts from other devices either. They're treated exactly like 3rd party parts, showing the same error about non-original part (not activation lock).
If you're really using working original Apple parts from a device that is dead but not stolen (like the motherboard is dead), you can remove the device from Find My iPhone, which hopefully un-registers its parts too.
reallynotnick@reddit
You just unregister the phone and all the parts are unregistered, and since the only time you are swapping parts is when they are broken you don’t really need an ability release individual parts.
Kyrond@reddit
So the reason for all that is supposedly preventing theft, which is done to resell parts. What if Apple just made the parts cheap and allow direct selling of the parts from the factories? The only reason people steal iPhones for parts is that official parts are too expensive or not accessible.
Vo_Mimbre@reddit
I appreciate the level headed comments here, because all I saw at first was quasi-DRM in action ala Windows OS and hardware configuration, or forcing everyone to only being allow to used Apple authorized replacement parts .
conquer69@reddit
The anti-repair crowd got early to this thread.
Vo_Mimbre@reddit
The heck you talking about? I’m not cheerleading anti repair, I’m expressing cynicism about how they use this to continue their monopolistic approach. They’re forced to support right to repair in some markets but this feels like malicious compliance.
recurrence@reddit
Contrary to most people, I am a huge fan of an iPhone being "worthless" to an assailant. These are expensive products and the more we can deter theft of them, the more we can enjoy using them in public.
tucketnucket@reddit
100%. If it only prevents theft, it's not REALLY going to have an environmental impact. If someone's phone gets stolen, they're going to have to get a new phone anyway.
Og-Morrow@reddit
Is for private locking? We have been locking iPhone with ABM/MDM for years now. So not new.
SomeoneBritish@reddit
While I feel this move is bad from a recycling perspective, I appreciate the effort to disincentivise stealing iPhones.
HeroYouKey_SawAnon@reddit (OP)
Reuse not recycling. Recycling a locked component is just as easy as unlocked.
SomeoneBritish@reddit
Danny DeVito