iPhones disabled if Apple detects third party repairs

alanHd · 02-05-2016, 05:09 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35502030

The latest software update for iPhone 6 handsets is allegedly rendering the devices useless if it detects repairs not carried out by Apple.

I personally don't use an iPhone but a word of caution for those that do.

pwalker8 · 02-06-2016, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanHd

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35502030

The latest software update for iPhone 6 handsets is allegedly rendering the devices useless if it detects repairs not carried out by Apple.

I personally don't use an iPhone but a word of caution for those that do.

To fill out what the article actually says - repairs by unauthorized dealers can cause faulty screens or other invalid components that affect the touch ID sensor could cause the check to fail.

In other words, some unauthorized dealers use bad components that interact with the touch ID sensor to trigger a security error. So, no Apple doesn't render the device useless if it detects repairs not carried out by Apple, repairs with bad components render the device useless.

kacir · 02-06-2016, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwalker8

In other words, some unauthorized dealers use bad components that interact with the touch ID sensor to trigger a security error. So, no Apple doesn't render the device useless if it detects repairs not carried out by Apple, repairs with bad components render the device useless.

The situation is much more complicated.
If you had a fingerprint sensor changed/repaired by an unauthorized repair shop in a distant past, the new firmware update will irreparably brick your $800 iPhone. Apple claims the phone can not be unbricked.

It is not like it requires PIN to log in, or locks you out, or wipes your data, or sends you to an authorized service to get proper spare part, or requires you to visit Apple with a proof of ownership. BAM! One moment your phone works happily, months after the unauthorized repair, next moment, after the update is finished you are holding an $800 brick with cryptic "error 53" on display. With all your photos and documents and data that were on the phone irretrievably lost.

There is lively discussion on BoingBoing
http://boingboing.net/2016/02/05/ger...tely-bric.html

eschwartz · 02-06-2016, 11:26 PM

Business as usual in Apple land???

I would think their general attitude towards non-authorized repairs and device obsolescence would make this a known risk.

IIRC this is not the first time Apple has assassinated peoples' iDevices via an update if non-Apple approved modifications have been made. Weren't there a few, um, incidents, regarding jailbroken devices as well?

jswinden · 02-07-2016, 10:10 AM

This is little more than another TROLL thread. Moderators should please remove it or put it in the News group where all the other BS threads seem to wind up.

alanHd · 02-07-2016, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswinden

This is little more than another TROLL thread. Moderators should please remove it or put it in the News group where all the other BS threads seem to wind up.

Why is it a TROLL thread, its a genuine warning for anyone who uses an IPhone and might have had it repaired by a non apple approved repairer.

eschwartz · 02-07-2016, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanHd

Why is it a TROLL thread, its a genuine warning for anyone who uses an IPhone and might have had it repaired by a non apple approved repairer.

Well, he is a rabid fanboi and I am a snarky crank, so I guess this thread has all the necessary ingredients for trolling.

soulfuldog · 02-07-2016, 11:23 AM

I know Apple can take a bit of unfair bashing at times but honestly, the response some people have to criticisms is a bit creepy.

darryl · 02-07-2016, 12:48 PM

The boing boing thread is an interesting read. The problem arises with repairs involving the fingerprint sensor, which apparently include most or all repairs to the button. There is a vigorous defence of Apple apparently amongst those who are involved in security who say the response is proportional given the risk of the theft of fingerprints. Which can be argued. Where I think it fails is firstly that the "bricking" was not an immediate response to the suspected tampering with the fingerprint reader, but happened in many cases months later and was implemented by the update. Secondly, there was it seems no public warning that his could occur. In fact, it was sometime before Apple would admit to it. Also of interest is the reminder that Apple is a very large corporate entity, and its many hands often don't know what the others are doing. There is a suggestion that what happened was a result of these internal interactions and in fact came as s surprise to Apple. This to me is quite credible. Apple of course should as a group have known what would happen, but did not.

Apple now suggest that these devices simply cannot be unbricked. Again, being a security feature, to me this is also credible. For a consumer device marketed in the way it is as being easy to use and suitable for non-techies, it is also absolutely stupid. They should not have even considered such a feature without steps to educate their users about the risk. And how realistic is it for Apple to use this as a means, justified or otherwise, of controlling who can service their devices?

Apple needs to step up to the plate and repair or if necessary replace these bricked devices at their own cost. If I had been effected by this and Apple refused, I would by now have commenced a dispute in a wonderful institution here called the Consumer Trader and Tenancy Tribunal. Other Australian States have similar bodies, and I would venture to say similar bodies exist in most Western Countries. I suspect that this and similar Tribunals would have little time for Apple's actions, and would readily award damages. This would likely force Apple to act or die from a thousand cuts. Apple does some terrible things and some good ones. This time they are in the wrong and badly so. They need to deal with it and sooner rather than later.

Jessica Lares · 02-07-2016, 06:34 PM

Why do they have to support re-replacing parts that they didn't give these companies to "fix" these phones? They should be advertising their authorized service providers more so that people don't take their devices to these shops to begin with.

crane3 · 02-07-2016, 09:52 PM

I did read a comment that not all regions have "authorized" repair places; I do think the problem also means that the parts must be an apple part & sold by apple.

I have the next to the last Mac Mini (mid-2011) that "allows" the customer to change/add/upgrade their own ram; the Mac Mini ram is now soldered as apple decided that they missed getting a $400 profit (I had checked apple prices of $450 for 8 gig; got my 8 gig for $44 at Fry's).

Sounds like my Mac Mini may be just on the verge of going kaput with a newer os version since I didn't use apple parts from an authorized apple service place to follow apple's new policy.

Jessica Lares · 02-07-2016, 10:07 PM

They wouldn’t do that on a machine that allows for third-party RAM to begin with. Heh. But yeah, I am super annoyed that the next machine I could get will have soldered everything that I’m thinking about just buying a used non-Retina MacBook Pro which will cost less than fixing my current one.

I hear people have a problem with the pricing to get on the authorized provider program as of late due to changes. They’re going to have to work on that too.

AnemicOak · 02-07-2016, 10:18 PM

Are Apple Authorized service/repair places common in certain locations? The only place I found when using the finder tool on the Apple website when I told it I needed iPhone repair were the Apple store and my phone services stores (in an area with 3 million+ population for the metro area). Unless something has changed in the past couple of years though neither of those places actually offer device repair.

Jessica Lares · 02-08-2016, 01:07 AM

Probably. So many colleges and businesses here, so lots of potential customers.

There are two Apple Stores and a repair shop just 15 minutes away from where I live.

In total going outward - 10 locations: 6 are Apple Stores, 4 are repair places (and 2 of those are specifically for Apple products)

I don't know too much about those places though to be honest, I've always been discouraged with them having to do estimates.

doubleshuffle · 02-08-2016, 01:53 AM

Now that Guardian journalist they quote in the BoingBoing article - isn't what happened to him simply the well-deserved punishment for travelling out of easy reach of authorized Apple stores without carrying at least one spare of each of his iDevices? Totally reckless, and now he's whining. Serves him right.

02-05-2016, 05:09 PM	#1
alanHd Addict Posts: 374 Karma: 1408579 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle Touch, Ipod Touch, Ipad Air	iPhones disabled if Apple detects third party repairs http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35502030 The latest software update for iPhone 6 handsets is allegedly rendering the devices useless if it detects repairs not carried out by Apple. I personally don't use an iPhone but a word of caution for those that do.

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02-06-2016, 11:26 PM	#4
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Business as usual in Apple land??? I would think their general attitude towards non-authorized repairs and device obsolescence would make this a known risk. IIRC this is not the first time Apple has assassinated peoples' iDevices via an update if non-Apple approved modifications have been made. Weren't there a few, um, incidents, regarding jailbroken devices as well?

02-07-2016, 10:10 AM	#5
jswinden Nameless Being	This is little more than another TROLL thread. Moderators should please remove it or put it in the News group where all the other BS threads seem to wind up.

02-07-2016, 11:23 AM	#8
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	I know Apple can take a bit of unfair bashing at times but honestly, the response some people have to criticisms is a bit creepy.

02-07-2016, 12:48 PM	#9
darryl Wizard Posts: 3,108 Karma: 60231510 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Oasis, Huwei Ascend Mate 7	The boing boing thread is an interesting read. The problem arises with repairs involving the fingerprint sensor, which apparently include most or all repairs to the button. There is a vigorous defence of Apple apparently amongst those who are involved in security who say the response is proportional given the risk of the theft of fingerprints. Which can be argued. Where I think it fails is firstly that the "bricking" was not an immediate response to the suspected tampering with the fingerprint reader, but happened in many cases months later and was implemented by the update. Secondly, there was it seems no public warning that his could occur. In fact, it was sometime before Apple would admit to it. Also of interest is the reminder that Apple is a very large corporate entity, and its many hands often don't know what the others are doing. There is a suggestion that what happened was a result of these internal interactions and in fact came as s surprise to Apple. This to me is quite credible. Apple of course should as a group have known what would happen, but did not. Apple now suggest that these devices simply cannot be unbricked. Again, being a security feature, to me this is also credible. For a consumer device marketed in the way it is as being easy to use and suitable for non-techies, it is also absolutely stupid. They should not have even considered such a feature without steps to educate their users about the risk. And how realistic is it for Apple to use this as a means, justified or otherwise, of controlling who can service their devices? Apple needs to step up to the plate and repair or if necessary replace these bricked devices at their own cost. If I had been effected by this and Apple refused, I would by now have commenced a dispute in a wonderful institution here called the Consumer Trader and Tenancy Tribunal. Other Australian States have similar bodies, and I would venture to say similar bodies exist in most Western Countries. I suspect that this and similar Tribunals would have little time for Apple's actions, and would readily award damages. This would likely force Apple to act or die from a thousand cuts. Apple does some terrible things and some good ones. This time they are in the wrong and badly so. They need to deal with it and sooner rather than later.

02-07-2016, 06:34 PM	#10
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	Why do they have to support re-replacing parts that they didn't give these companies to "fix" these phones? They should be advertising their authorized service providers more so that people don't take their devices to these shops to begin with.

02-07-2016, 09:52 PM	#11
crane3 Guru Posts: 608 Karma: 5007204 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Calif Device: Fire hdx 8.9, Tab S2, Tab S5e, Aura ONE	I did read a comment that not all regions have "authorized" repair places; I do think the problem also means that the parts must be an apple part & sold by apple. I have the next to the last Mac Mini (mid-2011) that "allows" the customer to change/add/upgrade their own ram; the Mac Mini ram is now soldered as apple decided that they missed getting a $400 profit (I had checked apple prices of $450 for 8 gig; got my 8 gig for $44 at Fry's). Sounds like my Mac Mini may be just on the verge of going kaput with a newer os version since I didn't use apple parts from an authorized apple service place to follow apple's new policy.

02-07-2016, 10:07 PM	#12
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	They wouldn’t do that on a machine that allows for third-party RAM to begin with. Heh. But yeah, I am super annoyed that the next machine I could get will have soldered everything that I’m thinking about just buying a used non-Retina MacBook Pro which will cost less than fixing my current one. I hear people have a problem with the pricing to get on the authorized provider program as of late due to changes. They’re going to have to work on that too.

02-07-2016, 10:18 PM	#13
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Are Apple Authorized service/repair places common in certain locations? The only place I found when using the finder tool on the Apple website when I told it I needed iPhone repair were the Apple store and my phone services stores (in an area with 3 million+ population for the metro area). Unless something has changed in the past couple of years though neither of those places actually offer device repair.

02-08-2016, 01:07 AM	#14
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	Probably. So many colleges and businesses here, so lots of potential customers. There are two Apple Stores and a repair shop just 15 minutes away from where I live. In total going outward - 10 locations: 6 are Apple Stores, 4 are repair places (and 2 of those are specifically for Apple products) I don't know too much about those places though to be honest, I've always been discouraged with them having to do estimates.

02-08-2016, 01:53 AM	#15
doubleshuffle Unicycle Daredevil Posts: 13,944 Karma: 185432100 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Planet of the Pudding Brains Device: Aura HD (R.I.P. After six years the USB socket died.) tolino shine 3	Now that Guardian journalist they quote in the BoingBoing article - isn't what happened to him simply the well-deserved punishment for travelling out of easy reach of authorized Apple stores without carrying at least one spare of each of his iDevices? Totally reckless, and now he's whining. Serves him right.

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