Apple Eases Restrictions on Third-Party iPhone Repairs

True Tone and Battery Health Features to Stay Intact for iPhone Users

Good news for iPhone users who prefer third-party repairs! Apple has announced that starting later this year, third-party replacement batteries and displays installed in iPhones will no longer result in the deactivation of True Tone and battery health data features. This change is part of the company's effort to improve the longevity of their devices and make them more repair-friendly.

Understanding True Tone

True Tone is a feature that adjusts the iPhone display's white balance to match the lighting in your environment, making the screen easier on the eyes. Previously, if you installed a third-party replacement screen, Apple would disable this feature. Now, users will be able to activate True Tone even with third-party parts, although Apple warns that the display colors may not be as accurate and you can choose to disable the feature if it doesn't meet expectations.

Changes to Battery Health Data

Similarly, if you opt for a third-party replacement battery, Apple will now display its health metrics on your iPhone. However, the company cautions that it cannot verify these metrics, and there could be cases where second-hand batteries with manipulated metrics are falsely sold as new. Nevertheless, users will gain more transparency into battery performance, even with non-Apple parts.

In a move that shows Apple's increasing openness towards third-party repairs, the tech giant has taken steps to make iPhones easier to fix. The iPhone 14, released in 2022, was designed with repairability in mind, and later in the fall, Apple plans to make genuine used parts available for iPhone repairs. Despite their history of tight restrictions, Apple seems to be embracing a more repair-friendly approach, much to the relief of iPhone users and independent repair shops.