Apple is rumored to be adding a new feature to the iPhone that notifies users when parts of the device are out of original. For example, there have been previous repairs and replacement of parts such as the screen or battery. A history of repair services will appear—in the Settings menu, then General, and About—in the upcoming iOS 15.2 update for iPhone.
This feature is considered to be able to provide insight and peace of mind for users of iPhone devices that have been reconditioned, who hope to get a unit of the right quality. The update expands on the previous feature of being able to tell if the screen or battery is not genuine and now even includes the date when the service was obtained.
Since the release of the iPhone 11, Apple has started including a warning when an aftermarket (unoriginal) display is installed. Now an iPhone as old as the XR model can warn if the battery isn’t genuine, while the iPhone 12 and 13 have a lot more information, including about the camera section.
Previous versions of iOS on the iPhone 13 threatened to make repairing the screen even more difficult, requiring micro-soldering to circumvent warning labels and disabling the Face ID sensor. The iOS 15.2 operating system updated the process to allow repairs by users or third-party stores without complaints from the device.
Buying and selling used iPhones is a huge market but it can be intimidating. This might happen if you don’t know if the device will have a low-quality battery that might overheat, or if the screen you get has poor colors because it’s not really OLED. This can happen if the repair was performed by a third-party store that is not covered by Apple’s independent repair program (IRP).
With the announcement of Apple’s Self Service Repair, customers will have the means to get genuine parts and repair their iPhone at home. Because this service method is supported by Apple, iOS 15.2 allows newer iPhones repaired through self-service to acknowledge that the repair was performed and the parts are genuine.
Trading or reselling iPhones may become more difficult in the future—if aftermarket parts are used. Every potential buyer of the device will be able to find out easily, and will no longer be fooled by the price offered.
