Tech Desk 
Sep 13, 2024
Previously this year, Apple unveiled some changes to its repair policies. The company has made it simpler for users to repair their iPhones with genuine used parts. While, at the same time, the Cupertino-based tech giant revealed that it is set to introduce Activation Lock to iPhone parts.
This new feature is now available and working in iOS 18.
iOS 18 integrates Activation Lock to iPhone parts
It is noted that the Release Candidate (RC) build of iOS 18 launched to developers and public beta testers on September 9, enabled Activation Lock for iPhone parts.
As earlier described by Apple, the feature links your Apple Account not only to your iPhone but also to other components like the battery, cameras and display based on their serial numbers.
Apple aims to put an end to the market for selling parts from stolen iPhones. Since iPhones have Activation Lock, most stolen phones are sold on the grey market for parts, which are still quite worthy.
Currently, when the iPhone detects a used part, it asks for the Apple Account password of the owner of the original device.
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Moreover, the Cupertino-based tech giant is set to expand its popular Activation Lock feature to iPhone parts to deter stolen iPhones from being disassembled for parts. At the request of customers and law enforcement officials, the feature was developed to restrict iPhone theft by blocking a lost or stolen iPhone from being reactivated.
If a device under repair detects that a supported part was obtained from another device with Activation Lock or Lost Mode enabled, calibration capabilities for that part will be restricted.
iOS 18 is confirmed to be launched to the public on September 16. It requires an iPhone XR or later. It is important to note that Activation Lock for parts only applies to the iPhone for now, and won’t work for iPads with iPadOS 18.
