iOS 18 Includes 'Repair Assistant' For Configuring Genuine Apple Replacement Parts

Apple added a "Repair Assistant" feature in iOS 18 that is designed to allow iPhone users to configure replacement parts after a repair. The Repair Assistant works with genuine Apple components, and it makes sure that an ‌iPhone‌ is functional and working as intended if it's been repaired with an Apple part.

Apple Self Service Repair Program iPhone
A replacement display, for example, can be configured with the Repair Assistant to make sure that True Tone, auto brightness options, and other features are accessible. For the battery, the configuration process ensures Battery Health reporting works properly.

The feature is able to be used to configure parts that were installed prior to ‌iOS 18‌'s release. Users who have had a third-party battery replacement that used an Apple battery, for example, can configure it as a genuine Apple component.

After installing ‌iOS 18‌, if you have a part that is able to be configured, it will show up under Parts and Service in the About section of the Settings app. Users who have not had a repair will not see this section.


Apple says that Repair Assistant is able to be used with ‌iPhone‌ 12 and later models. Batteries, cameras, displays, and more can be configured using the tool.

Repair Assistant was first highlighted by Apple back in April. At the time, Apple said that it would be introduced in the fall, and would provide a way for used genuine Apple parts to be employed for fully functional repairs.

As part of this change, Apple is extending Activation Lock to ‌iPhone‌ parts to deter stolen iPhones from being disassembled for components.

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Top Rated Comments

SoldOnApple Avatar
25 weeks ago

Parts sourced from Activation Locked iPhones will now activate-lock the phone if you try the repair assisstant. Brutal, many parts are sourced from stolen phones
Apple really are doing their best to make people not want to steal iPhones. The device gets bricked, even the swappable parts are going to get "bricked". If you buy a stolen Apple Watch then it's probably just a paperweight.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shirasaki Avatar
25 weeks ago

Some people? Yes. Other people? No.

Some people donate their iPhones but sometimes they forget to turn off Activation Lock. Those iPhones then cannot be used for parts.

https://coloradosun.com/2019/04/17/recycled-iphones-trashed-find-my-iphone/

Thousands of usable iPhones trashed by one Colorado firm because well-meaning donors forgot to turn off “Find my iPhone”

Lafayette recycler can’t do a thing with working, but locked, iPhones and donors aren’t getting the financial impact expected
Maybe the recycling company should deny iPhone donations if they see activation lock is still on. And warn potential donors not to forget turning off activation lock.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xingerburger Avatar
25 weeks ago
Parts sourced from Activation Locked iPhones will now activate-lock the phone if you try the repair assisstant. Brutal, many parts are sourced from stolen phones
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
azhava Avatar
25 weeks ago

Parts sourced from Activation Locked iPhones will now activate-lock the phone if you try the repair assisstant. Brutal, many parts are sourced from stolen phones
Good. Stolen parts should also be able to heat up and immediately melt down the entire phone they're put into as soon as it's powered up.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
d5aqoëp Avatar
25 weeks ago
I like this. I have had many iPhones stolen and they ended up in China briefly and then never to be seen again.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iBluetooth Avatar
24 weeks ago

Absolutely terrible idea.
Great idea. The only way to reduce theft is to make it not worth it to steal iphones. If there is not much money for the stolen phones, then the theft will reduce.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)