Even in the event that Apple is unable to authenticate third-party replacement parts, True Tone and battery health data will be accessible "later this year."
Today, Apple is refocusing its efforts on repairability. Customers in 32 countries now have a simpler way to test products for potential problems thanks to the company's extension of its self-service diagnostics tool to Europe.
The fact that Apple has released a new whitepaper titled "lifespan, by Design" (PDF link), which details "the company's concepts for building for lifespan," is possibly more intriguing. There will undoubtedly be a ton of commentary on each page, but there is some news in the paper as well: Apple has announced that it will provide more software features to third-party iPhone components later this year.
Whenever iOS detects a third-party replacement screen, it usually disables True Tone, the feature that modifies the white balance of an iPhone display to better fit your surroundings. However, True Tone will soon be enabled by users "to the best performance that can be delivered," according to Apple.
Since True Tone depends on server-side calibration, which varies by device, and "accurate communication between a product's display and light sensors," which cannot be guaranteed with a non-OEM component, the company adds that the outcome might not live up to its typical standards. If the display does not work well enough, users “will be able to remove True Tone in Settings.”
Third-party batteries will also receive battery metrics. This is the pertinent portion of the whitepaper, which I have highlighted in bold to make it seem newsworthy:
- Consumers whose devices use third-party batteries are currently not presented with battery health information like maximum capacity and cycle count. This is because Apple is unable to confirm the veracity of these measures. Actually, according to an internal analysis by Apple, certain third-party batteries that are offered as new are actually used, with the battery health data altered to make them seem like new. Later in 2024, Apple will offer battery health indicators along with a notification indicating that Apple cannot validate the information presented in a move to increase support for third-party batteries.
The caution Apple has about third-party batteries is highlighted in the whitepaper. It contains information on numerous tests that failed and occasionally caused explosions or fires. According to the document, "We recommend all buyers to validate that the product meets severe safety requirements."
"Later in 2024" most likely refers to the need for iOS 18 in order to receive this increased software support for third-party replacement parts. Before a complete release in the fall, the next major update is scheduled to go into public beta testing at some point in the upcoming month.
Aside from iPhones, Apple is responding to a few more long-standing complaints about its self-service repair program. Most importantly, it will become much easier to purchase parts in the first place. According to the whitepaper, "to purchase a new part for most repairs, customers and service providers will no longer need to input a device's serial number to the Self Service Repair store."
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