CALIFORNIA: Apple’s latest iOS 18 update introduces a game-changing feature to protect users from unknowingly buying defective used iPhones.
The company has expanded its Activation Lock system to individual iPhone components, including batteries, cameras, and displays, to prevent the use of unauthorized or faulty parts.
This move targets the issue of counterfeit or damaged components being installed in second-hand iPhones. With Activation Lock, each iPhone part is tied to the original device’s serial number.
If a used part is installed in another iPhone, iOS 18 will prompt the user to enter the original owner’s Apple Account password. Failure to do so will result in limited functionality or non-working components.
This update is a significant win for second-hand iPhone buyers, who were often unaware of replaced components. In the past, sellers would substitute broken parts with unverified or damaged ones, leading to hidden problems like poor battery life or malfunctioning cameras.
In countries like Pakistan, where local repair shops and second-hand markets thrive, this update will have a substantial impact.
Repair shops can no longer source parts from “iCloud-locked” iPhones or damaged devices, as these parts will now be locked through Apple’s system, making them unusable without verification.
Apple’s goals are twofold: to safeguard consumers from faulty devices and reduce the sale of stolen iPhone parts. By requiring verification for used parts, Apple aims to prevent grey market dealers from profiting from stolen phones.
The iOS 18 update, scheduled for September 16, will be available for iPhone XR and newer models. This new layer of security makes it safer for consumers to buy second-hand devices while limiting the ability of thieves and unscrupulous dealers to profit from unverified parts.
