Apple is back in arms against unofficial service and home battery replacement

As in the auto industry, the sale of replacements and cellphone service represent significant revenue, and Apple is no exception. The Cupertine giant, on the other hand, is known for having to pay extra for its premium products and services. However, the company's latest move to reduce battery replacement at home or unauthorized repair shops is unpleasant for the user, and many would simply call it another way to attract customers' money.

Apple introduces software to iPhone XR, XS and XS Max batteries: https://t.co/z1AhtviNDz pic.twitter.com/RIBBbw2OV6

– iFixit @iFixit August 8, 2019

FIXIT has shown the action by which Apple has "activated sleep program lock" on iOS, which will prevent access to the battery indicator on batteries not being replaced by a certified service center.

If you need to replace the battery and decide to perform the entire operation yourself (or leave it to an unauthorized service center), a service message will appear when you turn it on. This will alert the user that the system is unable to verify that the original battery was found on the phone and that battery health information will not be available. Interestingly, this message will appear whether you are installing a gene or non-gene battery. Whenever it is replaced with an Apple Certified Service, you will encounter this message.

iFixit states that Apple simply plugs the battery into a separate phone. The origin of the battery, whether it is an original part or not, therefore does not affect this message and the user always encounters it after unauthorized replacement.

According to iFixit, this new "lock" is present on iOS 12 and iOS 13 and affects the iPhone Xr, Xs and Xs Max. The official reason for this is to increase the safety of users who do not have to replace the batteries themselves (or in unauthorized repair shops). However according to iFixit, this is just a step that further reduces the usable service of iPhones, preventing users from discarding their purchased phones. So if you don't want to see this message but need to replace the battery, the only option is to visit an authorized service center or say goodbye to the battery health indicator.