Posted 9/19/2023, 6:43:36 PM
Apple's Repair Lockdown: iPhone 14 Score Plummets as Software Blocks Third-Party Fixes
- iFixit lowered iPhone 14's repairability score from 7 to 4 out of 10 after original praise
- Cites Apple's software that limits repair options and requires Apple parts
- Software checks for and pairs only Apple parts, gives warnings otherwise
- Repairs require sharing customer info through Apple's system
- Discourages used and third-party parts in favor of Apple's expensive components
- Some repair shops have exited business rather than deal with Apple's hurdles
- Despite selling parts, Apple has created "maze of obstacles" for repairs
- iPhone 14 "literally not repairable" due to required software validation