The warning signs appeared in late September 2021 when Apple stunned the tech repair industry with a small piece of software that would disable Face ID if you were to replace the front screen assembly on an iPhone 13 -- even if you used a screen from another iPhone. This is a process known as part serialization that requires the tech working on a device to sync the serial number of the part to the device. A process that can only be done by the OEM (in this case Apple).

This wasn't Apples first move to disrupt the tech repair industry.

FIRST MOVE: PART SERIALIZATION

Part serialization is not new to Apple or to other OEMs. The tech repair industry first saw it with Apple battery replacements back in August 2019. Here again the tech needs to sync the part to the device -- a process that can only be completed by authorized representatives of the OEM. If the part is not properly authenticated then the user would get an error message followed by certain features not working. In this case the battery health feature in the menu.

The most recent issue with part serialization in September 2021 caused such an uproar that Apple decided to disable this software feature for the time being.

It's obvious that they have been working on this feature for some time and the possibility of it returning again in the near future is very high.

FIRST MOVE PART B: THE APPLE IRP

Around the same time that part serialization first showed up Apple had another surprise announcement when they launched the Independent Repair Program (IRP). An attempt that many in the tech repair industry dismissed as too restrictive and lacking true value (expensive parts) to the average repair shop.

It is however interesting that these two things happened almost at the same time. I wrote about it more in detail in a previous post that was titled "Is Apples New Independent Repair Provider Program a Blessing or a curse?" that was published in September 2019.

As the world headed into 2020 it appeared that Apple had a plan when it came to the problem of independent repair and they were working towards a solution - but then COVID hit and the Apple stores shutdown. This turned into boom times for most of the tech repair industry as people relied more on their tech they needed it fixed and independent tech repair was the only option.

NOTE: Big Tech companies like Apple don't react to things as much as they plan. Much of what we have seen is part of a well thought out carefully executed plan that was years in the making.

SECOND MOVE: MOBILE REPAIR OFFERING

This is something that almost no one in tech repair is talking about right now because it flew under the radar and, until recently, hasn't been openly discussed. 

In a press release from Apple dated November 10, 2021, announcing their new "Apple Business Essentials" program, they expand their current in-store repair options with a new mobile service where "an Apple-trained technician can come onsite in as little as four hours to get their devices back up and running."

This is a pretty big deal that I'm not sure anyone is aware of since the industry was reeling from the Face ID issue (mentioned above). A policy that Apple backed off from a day before this news was announced. I'm not saying this move was calculated but the timing is incredible.

The Business Essentials program is targeted to small business but after hearing Apple's Jeremy Butcher talk about it on the Mac Power Users Podcast it sounds like they are expecting a lot from the program.

THIRD MOVE: SELF SERVICE REPAIR PROGRAM

This is the big Apple news that EVERYONE has been talking about since it was announced in a press release from Apple on November 17, 2021. This was/is a huge victory for the good folks fighting the right to repair battle because it gives consumers exactly what they have been asking for: OEM parts, Tools, and manuals. 

This right to repair victory for consumers should NOT be considered a victory for the independent tech repair industry. I wrote about it extensively in a recent blog post dated November 19, 2021 that will give you more information.

FOURTH MOVE: NEW UPDATES TO iOS 15.2

This will add a whole new level of parts serialization and verification on each and every device. As long as the part is "known" (part synch via serialization with Apple equipment) then the display will show that a "Genuine Apple Part" is installed. If the part is "NOT known" by the device (any part, including an Apple OEM part that has not been serialized to the device) will display as an "Unknown Part".

While on some levels this seems like a valid solution for customers to know what kind of parts are being used on their phones AND for anyone desiring to purchase a used or refurbished model it strikes me as being one step away from Apple rejecting parts and/or disabling features.

MY OPINION AS A TECH REPAIR INDUSTRY VETERAN

While I applaud Apple for bowing to the pressure of the right to repair movement and allowing consumers the ability to fix what they own they still maintain a little too much control over how their devices are repaired. On one level I understand and appreciate being able to reference the devices "Carfax" if you will to know who or what has worked on it and/or replaced parts. But "Carfax" in the automotive world is run by a third party not by an OEM.

I would really love to see Apple do a few things:

1. Commit to NEVER disabling a device in any way or fashion after repair.
2. Come to the table and work with the independent tech repair industry.
3. Help independent small business people successfully work with your company in tech repair, support, refurbishing, and recycling.
4. Setup a program that ANY legitimate business can also purchase Apple Genuine parts, tools, and manuals at a reasonable price.
5. Work with refurbishes to provide unlocking of devices that have a verifiable chain of custody.
6. Be more open to the tech care industry! We're good people.

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