iPhones “Disabled” If Apple Detects Third-Party Repairs

Megalith

Megalith

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It seems that Apple is now your only option if your iPhone needs repair. Apple has already hit back, claiming that the decision was made to protect your security.

Thousands of iPhone 6 users claim they have been left holding almost worthless phones because Apple’s latest operating system permanently disables the handset if it detects that a repair has been carried out by a non-Apple technician. Relatively few people outside the tech world are aware of the so-called “error 53” problem, but if it happens to you you’ll know about it. And according to one specialist journalist, it “will kill your iPhone”.
 
All in the name of security. Fits our world perfectly. Sigh...
 
This seems appropriate when you replace the fingerprint sensor on a secured device with a non compliant sensor.
 
I can see this if it is during the one year warranty, or two if you got applecare. However, beyond that, so what if you want to get your phone fixed if it breaks?
 
Same thing is happening with cars. Though their making them so you can work on them at all unless at a factory shop.
 
Let's see, using computer software to destroy another person's property. Should be a violation of some computer crimes act or even an act of blackmail. "Use only our stuff or we destroy your stuff.". Since it is Apple approved software performing the destruction, should be Apple executives facing charges.

200 Quatloos to the first one to correctly guess when such charges will be brought.
 
Dead Parrot said:
Let's see, using computer software to destroy another person's property. Should be a violation of some computer crimes act or even an act of blackmail. "Use only our stuff or we destroy your stuff.". Since it is Apple approved software performing the destruction, should be Apple executives facing charges.

200 Quatloos to the first one to correctly guess when such charges will be brought.
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This error only happens when the phone is restored, the error happens when attempting to set the phone up again. By that point, the user already deleted their own data by initiating the restore. All user data is exactly as it would be on iCloud or the users backups.
 
Makes sense to me with Apple pay and all. So many hacking possibilities.
 
While I can see their point about touch ID that still isn't a reason to brick the entire phone. If this validation of the fingerprint reader fails then touch ID functions should be disabled.... not the entire phone.
 
bigddybn said:
It's illegal in the US as well. He isn't saying automakers are outright banning it, just making it more difficult to do with each passing year.
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However that is not the same as disabling your car if they detect 3rd party repairs.

So does this mean that you don't own your apple phone? Since if you own it, then it's criminal damage what apple is doing.
 
M76 said:
However that is not the same as disabling your car if they detect 3rd party repairs.

So does this mean that you don't own your apple phone? Since if you own it, then it's criminal damage what apple is doing.
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Some cars are effectively disabled if the head unit is replaced with a non OEM model. One of my friend had the stock head unit in a Chevy replaced and they mounted the stock unit in the trunk because the car needed it to be present for ??? to function.
 
scojer said:
I can see this if it is during the one year warranty, or two if you got applecare. However, beyond that, so what if you want to get your phone fixed if it breaks?
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I guess the NSA will have to start working at apple
 
bigddybn said:
While I can see their point about touch ID that still isn't a reason to brick the entire phone. If this validation of the fingerprint reader fails then touch ID functions should be disabled.... not the entire phone.
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I can't see the point even then and nothing should be disabled. It's the user's phone, user's responsibility and user's credit card. They should pop up a notification warning at most, but nothing beyond that.
 
Probleminfected said:
Same thing is happening with cars. Though their making them so you can work on them at all unless at a factory shop.
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Cars get disabled if they detect 3r party repairs? I think warranties might be affected, but do they have disabled cars from repairs now?
 
Ocellaris said:
This error only happens when the phone is restored, the error happens when attempting to set the phone up again. By that point, the user already deleted their own data by initiating the restore. All user data is exactly as it would be on iCloud or the users backups.
Click to expand...

Bad info by me here, this also happens with an OS upgrade which is pretty shitty.
 
Probleminfected said:
Same thing is happening with cars. Though their making them so you can work on them at all unless at a factory shop.
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My dad is having that problem right now. A rebuilt 08 transmission and he has to download a file from GM and plug it in to tell the computer that it has a transmission. He was fiddling around with his scanner last night to see if the file could be put on it I think. Otherwise he doesn't have much of a way to hook up to the trucks computer.
 
While I have respect for Apples products.. in that they make their ecosystem work well and focus on quality vs features only 1% will use...

It's stuff like this that makes me never buy their products. Last phone upgrade I seriously considered it.

Warning... disabling related features sure...
 
Sounds like the future nVidia is trying to create with gameworks enabled games to be honest.
 
I'm all for it. If the touch sensor is integral in security I'm ok. Unfortunate but secure. You can't please everyone on this matter, caz I guarantee that if suppose apple
Didnt do this, and somehow touch id replacements starting getting linked with fraud/security hacks I'm pretty sure everyone and their cousins would be quick to blame apple and their lack of security.
This is an example of picking the better of two evils
 
Meeho said:
I can't see the point even then and nothing should be disabled. It's the user's phone, user's responsibility and user's credit card. They should pop up a notification warning at most, but nothing beyond that.
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Bullshit... It's the users responsibility up until they have a loss, then they will go screaming to the bank/apple for their money back as it wasn't their fault.

Banks and companies have to protect users from themselves when financial risks are present... Why? Because the people always want to blame the big bad bank.
 
bigddybn said:
It's illegal in the US as well. He isn't saying automakers are outright banning it, just making it more difficult to do with each passing year.
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This has been going on for decades, granted with everything being computerized in some fashion it makes it much difficult to get around.

Hell I remember some 20 or so years ago my cousin's Acura needed a new copper pipe/hose thing for some system in it (I forgot what exactly) they ordered the part, and this ginormous box shows up, and what they pull out is a true WTF fashion... turns out the 6-10 inches the pipe needed to go actually went halfway around the engine before coming back to where it needed to go.
 
samm said:
I'm all for it. If the touch sensor is integral in security I'm ok. Unfortunate but secure. You can't please everyone on this matter, caz I guarantee that if suppose apple
Didnt do this, and somehow touch id replacements starting getting linked with fraud/security hacks I'm pretty sure everyone and their cousins would be quick to blame apple and their lack of security.
This is an example of picking the better of two evils
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The better of two evils is going to Android and not putting up with apple stupid bs.
 
samm said:
I'm all for it. If the touch sensor is integral in security I'm ok. Unfortunate but secure. You can't please everyone on this matter, caz I guarantee that if suppose apple
Didnt do this, and somehow touch id replacements starting getting linked with fraud/security hacks I'm pretty sure everyone and their cousins would be quick to blame apple and their lack of security.
This is an example of picking the better of two evils
Click to expand...

The TouchID sensor and the logic board are paired together and work as a pair for things like Apple Pay and phone unlocks. Personally I can't see how Apple could maintain high security levels if any third party TouchID sensor could be used in the phone.

I also agree that you can't have it both ways. Apple maintains the most secure and encrypted mobile platform to the point where it pisses off the government. High security requires standards to be followed.
 
viscountalpha said:
The better of two evils is going to Android and not putting up with apple stupid bs.
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Hey if thats your solution, thats great. But to those already heavily invested in iOS, I doubt switching to android over this is rarely a solution. Just a purchase Applecare, and move on i guess.
 
In a game of inexplicable stupidity, it's your move now, Microsoft. Top it!
 
Ocellaris said:
The TouchID sensor and the logic board are paired together and work as a pair for things like Apple Pay and phone unlocks. Personally I can't see how Apple could maintain high security levels if any third party TouchID sensor could be used in the phone.
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That's no reason to brick the phone, though.
 
ManofGod said:
Odd, my friend does not seem to have any issue with getting under the hood of my 2015 Dodge Dart. (He works for Ford and not a dealership, either.)
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Not every make and not every model is doing this yet. But it's coming and has been for quite some time.

What they'll do is stop selling any propitiatory software to talk to the vehicle to independent shops.

Dodge/Chrysler as of right now, you can use some aftermarket scan tools to work on the vehicle, but if you want to add on some features you need a dealer code, which only the main service manager has.

I used to be a ford master tech.
 
Ocellaris said:
Some cars are effectively disabled if the head unit is replaced with a non OEM model. One of my friend had the stock head unit in a Chevy replaced and they mounted the stock unit in the trunk because the car needed it to be present for ??? to function.
Click to expand...

I'm kind sceptical of third party witness accounts without any proof. I suspect by mounted you mean connected to the electrical system otherwise it makes no sense. The magic word is: CAN-BUS. If the car has an information display it's possible that the head unit is somehow connected to it. By I never seen or heard the car not running because of that.
 
Hey it appears that the over reaction against apple crowd is out again. Seriously? If this affected battery replacements I would care more.

Someone bottom line it for me so I can decide how pissed to be... What repairs affect it?
 
Ocellaris said:
Apple maintains the most secure and encrypted mobile platform to the point where it pisses off the government.
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Yes, and I want them to continue to piss off governments the world over. Keep it going Apple, keep pissing them off! The more Apple continues to piss them off the more I smile.
 
This will end up in court. They will lose. Lawyers will get richer.

Same old story.
 
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