Apple Is Locking iPhone Batteries to Discourage Repair

[scojer]

It’s not a bug; it’s a feature Apple wants. Unless an Apple Genius or an Apple Authorized Service Provider authenticates a battery to the phone, that phone will never show its battery health and always report a vague, ominous problem.

If you replace the battery in the newest iPhones, a message indicating you need to service your battery appears in Settings > Battery, next to Battery Health. The “Service” message is normally an indication that the battery is degraded and needs to be replaced. The message still shows up when you put in a brand new battery, however. Here’s the bigger problem: our lab tests confirmed that even when you swap in a genuine Apple battery, the phone will still display the “Service” message.

 

[Nolan7689]

But is there any other discouraging factor beyond that? Because if that service message buried in battery health (a relatively new metric for consumers to view) is it I don’t see much of a issue. Replace the battery as you wish and get another few years out of it. Most people know if their battery has gone to shit even with out looking at battery health.

 

[Uvaman2]

But is there any other discouraging factor beyond that? Because if that service message buried in battery health (a relatively new metric for consumers to view) is it I don’t see much of a issue. Replace the battery as you wish and get another few years out of it. Most people know if their battery has gone to shit even with out looking at battery health.

Most people would be freaked out though.
Its just an overall strategy of pissing on repairs, and companies preference for yout to have zero control and right over your own costly device.

 

[scojer]

Most people would be freaked out though.
Its just an overall strategy of pissing on repairs, and companies preference for yout to have zero control and right over your own costly device.

This.

Also, if you resell a phone, that'll discourage the purchasing party a bit.

 

[Ready4Dis]

But is there any other discouraging factor beyond that? Because if that service message buried in battery health (a relatively new metric for consumers to view) is it I don’t see much of a issue. Replace the battery as you wish and get another few years out of it. Most people know if their battery has gone to shit even with out looking at battery health.

But if I payed a shop to replace a battery that was showing required service and got it back with the same message, I would be upset. Like bringing your car to a mechanic with a CEL... And getting it back with the CEL because it wasn't a dealer that did the repair shop. That's why there are laws against this behavior for the auto market. Same issue here, just trying to push out the aftermarket repair services.

 

[seanreisk]

More evidence of the need for Right To Repair legislation.

P.S. Vile Ready4Dis beats my post by moments.

P.P.S. Moments, I tell you.

 

[MMitch]

This is simply a ploy as mentioned above to discourage you to A: Repair by non-Apple tech and B: Resell your phone with that message.
Replacing a Battery isn't rocket science... No reason to do what they're doing other than greed !!!

Edit: I would understand if you swapped the CPU IC or complex work but replacing a battery or home button for example... comeon lol. Right to repair bill needs to pass and it should be even more severe, like providing schematics on proof of purchase with P/N been available to order at a normal price...

 

[Fremunaln]

I disagree with the locking part, since to be fair as an end user its not like your device becomes useless. This for sure will leave non-authorized repair centers with unnecessary customer complaints and probably a nuisance for most businesses.

Problem with right to repair, is $$$$ behind each side. When right to repair gets a huge bank account behind it, only then will right to repair succeed. Right now, its trillions of dollars vs a select vocal few.

 

[Mazzspeed]

Are people aware that Google are actively blocking third party repairers from advertising with Google Ads? Apparently it goes against their policy as it's an industry that's open to abuse. So if you're an mobile device repairer or even a simple IT service provider and Google flag you (which seems totally random) for no good reason than you can't advertise using Google Ads.

 

[M76]

Are people aware that Google are actively blocking third party repairers from advertising with Google Ads? Apparently it goes against their policy as it's an industry that's open to abuse. So if you're an mobile device repairer or even a simple IT service provider and Google flag you (which seems totally random) for no good reason than you can't advertise using Google Ads.

I don't think it's a ploy or conspiracy against third party repairs, more likely one of google's heavy handed actions, where collateral damage is inevitable. Like the latest adpocalypse where certain videos on youtube don't get recommendations on them. Most of them are completely innocent videos flagged by youtube's spray and pray algorithm.
Most likely 3rd party repair is hit by something similar designed to exclude scammers from advertising.

 

[Mazzspeed]

I don't think it's a ploy or conspiracy against third party repairs, more likely one of google's heavy handed actions, where collateral damage is inevitable. Like the latest adpocalypse where certain videos on youtube don't get recommendations on them. Most of them are completely innocent videos flagged by youtube's spray and pray algorithm.
Most likely 3rd party repair is hit by something similar designed to exclude scammers from advertising.

I'd agree with you if they were flexible on their stance, but they're not. Interestingly enough, locksmiths and garage door repairers are also blocked from their platform, however there's a certification program in place so you can advertise once it's been proven you are a legitimate business - This isn't the case with third party repairers.

 

[Deleted member 184142]

 

[TheOne&OnlyZeke]

I feel like I never see, what I would call, a positive story about Apple
I know other companies also suck (FB, Google etc.) however Apple always seem to come across as mean spirited assholes

 

[Fremunaln]

Why cant the most popular device maker just try to focus on delivering a rock solid device and software, and leave the childish games to those who need to boost their profit margins and market adoption rates since their devices cant crack it.

 

[Roberty]

Just one more of many reasons not to buy an Apple product....

 

[DejaWiz]

I'll continue to vote with my wallet by not buying any Apple products.

 

[Master_shake_]

There's consumer unfriendly and then there's consumer hostile

Jesus apple what the fuck?

 

[Azrak]

Whatever Apple is doing, it works. It's not like the company is begging for customers or money.

And only money and laws talk in terms of these kinds of things. It is very obvious that most users of Apple products DGAF about these kinds of choices Apple makes when designing their products and the Governments do not care either. Users continue to buy Apple products in droves and no laws prevent these kinds of design and operational choices. Therefore, you will continue to see this kind of design philosophy in future Apple products until either:
a) Users stop buying them (which would hurt shareholders and therefore cause a hard steer from the company to correct the issue); or
b) The Governments step in and install legislation that prevents these kinds of product design and operational practices.

What Apple is doing is creating a lock-in type of ecosystem where all aspects of a product's life cycle, from manufacturing, ongoing maintenance, and finally retirement, is totally controlled by the OEM (Apple). It is the polar opposite of "electronics right to repair" and "consumer choice." You want something done to an Apple product? You bring it in to an Apple Store, period. You pay whatever Apple charges, period. Apple wants no alternative for users. It is the best way for Apple to control when products are removed from user's hands ("I'm sorry, that phone cannot have a new battery installed because it is beyond our repair life cycle time period of X months. You must buy a new phone." or "I"m sorry, that phone no longer has parts available to fix the issue you are experiencing. You must buy a new phone or buy a used one.") This helps Apple determine when new products are purchased by consumers, thus continuing the revenue stream for the company by keeping demand up for new products. The worst thing is when user desire for a new product declines year over year. Shareholders hate that.

Compare that with what independent shops do, like Louis Rossmann's shop in New York City. He diagnoses the issue down to the components that failed and replaces only those failed components. Apple doesn't know about it and doesn't see any money from this kind of work. Apple has no control how long consumers are keeping phones active and alive (well, they can see via the mobile network) and users are able to keep phones working for much longer than Apple wants or plans for. This is all lost revenue to Apple. It's a loss of a phone sale. It's a loss of a repair bill. It's a loss of control. It's a loss of money. Shareholders hate that.

 

[Smoked Brisket]

This is really more sinister than most are willing to admit to themselves. When wages cannot keep up with cost of living, tricking consumers into spending thousands years before they need to is very wrong. Apple cannot create a phone compelling enough to adopt so they have departments dedicated to this planned obsolescence con. I am still using my iphone 6 with damaged battery because I cant bring myself to pay 1200 dollars for a better camera.

 

[DTN107]

So when is Samsung going to market against this and then copy it?

This makes it very difficult for Android fanboys to rage/praise.

 

[Fremunaln]

This is really more sinister than most are willing to admit to themselves. When wages cannot keep up with cost of living, tricking consumers into spending thousands years before they need to is very wrong. Apple cannot create a phone compelling enough to adopt so they have departments dedicated to this planned obsolescence con. I am still using my iphone 6 with damaged battery because I cant bring myself to pay 1200 dollars for a better camera.

why not replace the battery, a safety issue if damaged, then wait for a cheaper better camera device?

 

[Smoked Brisket]

I will replace the battery before i purchase a phone, yes. My phone doesnt have a message that says the battery is damaged. I was talking about decieving consumers by keeping a message on when the battery has been changed. Apple goes even further by ading a second layer of deception implying the phone is still faulty unless it is their battery.

 

[1_rick]

Apple goes even further by ading a second layer of deception implying the phone is still faulty unless it is their battery.

my understanding is that it's actually even worse than that and you will be blocked from using a genuine Apple battery as a replacement. That is you'll get the same we can't verify the battery life error.

 

[Emission]

It'll never happen, but it would sure be nice if they stopped crapping on independent repair shops and made replacement parts available to third parties.

 

[wizzi01]

my understanding is that it's actually even worse than that and you will be blocked from using a genuine Apple battery as a replacement. That is you'll get the same we can't verify the battery life error.

Someone tried a switch with a brand new bought from Apple phone. The brand new genuine battery pulled from the phone gave the message also.

 

[seanreisk]

..... Therefore, you will continue to see this kind of design philosophy in future Apple products until either:
a) Users stop buying them (which would hurt shareholders and therefore cause a hard steer from the company to correct the issue); or
b) The Governments step in and install legislation that prevents these kinds of product design and operational practices.

I am a fan of the Right to Repair, but part of the problem is that our government often fails to address liability. This was a problem in the light aircraft market, where companies like Cessna and Beechcraft were liable for the crash of their 40-year old airplanes. There was an argument among the lobbyists (including the Association of Trial Lawyers) that the original manufacturer should remain liable in order to encourage them to provide refits and refurbishments for older planes. The counter-argument was that the light aircraft manufacturer had little incentive to refit and update its older aircraft since that robbed the company's market for new sales. Eventually GARA was passed in 1994, removing liability for an aircraft once it reached 20 years old UNLESS the manufacturer had made a repair, modification, or sold repair parts for that aircraft in the last 18 years. Then the '20 year' rule restarts. How crazy is that?

It's common knowledge that lithium batteries can be hazardous. It should also be common knowledge that Apple waives all warranty and liability for their phone if you (or an unauthorized repair center) opens the case. That waiver is granted to Apple by Apple, though, and they don't hold up well in court. I'd like their to be a 'Right to Repair' law, and I'd like their to be a stipulation that a manufacturer waives right of manufacture control over their parts if they refuse make or sell parts. But I also think it's fair if we waive manufacturer liability for products if we make changes to them.

P.S. The automobile industry has licensed and governed aftermarket parts for decades without problem - except for ECUs. Good luck getting an ECU for a 1986 Ford Escort.

 

[rudy]

I am going to say you know what I dont care, in fact I kind of think this is a nice bit of karma for alot of repair shops. I can almost never find a local repair shop that isn't run by an apple shill. Let's see how they feel now. After spending all that time lying to customers to try and push them to apple.

 

[T4rd]

Just saw Louis Rossmann's vid about this the other day.



There's no reason for this other than to discourage iPhone users from getting their phones repaired anywhere other than an Apple store where they can gouge you and force you into unnecessary costs due to them either misdiagnosing the issue or opting to replace more components than necessary due to their limited abilities or ineptitude (i.e. replace a whole motherboard due to one small 5 cent fuse on the mobo).

TLDR; Apple continues to be anti-consumer.

 

[Lakados]

Just saw Louis Rossmann's vid about this the other day.



There's no reason for this other than to discourage iPhone users from getting their phones repaired anywhere other than an Apple store where they can gouge you and force you into unnecessary costs due to them either misdiagnosing the issue or opting to replace more components than necessary due to their limited abilities or ineptitude (i.e. replace a whole motherboard due to one small 5 cent fuse on the mobo).

TLDR; Apple continues to be anti-consumer.

Really though that guy is a vast exception to the norm on system repair. Most people are just going to take their phone to the nearest place that advertises online to fix phones where they will then buy the cheapest battery they can of of aliexpress or some other similar site. Then you just have to hope that the cheap ass battery doesn't explode or that the repair guys don't snap off one of the tiny pieces inside, I have a hard time recounting any positive stories of people getting their phones repaired from unofficial sources.

 

[Darunion]

There is also the group that buys the cheapest gas station chargers and crappy batteries on ebay to fix their phone. When things go wrong, apple ends up dealing with the service calls or in worse cases, court. Not to mention the news crews love to run with titles "iphone burns down house while charging". Or what was the one with the water trace from charger to the persons face that shocked the f**k out of them?

The amount of service calls and bad reviews and complaints that go to the BBB from issues caused by improper modding or fixing are plenty even for the company I work for and our products. I have seen tutorials on youtube for replacing coin cell batteries by ripping off the spot welded tabs and squeezing a new battery in its place and soldering them to that battery.

I would like to see repair places that could get 'certified' to repair apple devices though, something where they could maintain your warranty. I think that would sit better for me.



Most companies are anti-consumer, they aren't here for US. We just enable them.

 

[MMitch]

There is also the group that buys the cheapest gas station chargers and crappy batteries on ebay to fix their phone. When things go wrong, apple ends up dealing with the service calls or in worse cases, court. Not to mention the news crews love to run with titles "iphone burns down house while charging". Or what was the one with the water trace from charger to the persons face that shocked the f**k out of them?

The amount of service calls and bad reviews and complaints that go to the BBB from issues caused by improper modding or fixing are plenty even for the company I work for and our products. I have seen tutorials on youtube for replacing coin cell batteries by ripping off the spot welded tabs and squeezing a new battery in its place and soldering them to that battery.

I would like to see repair places that could get 'certified' to repair apple devices though, something where they could maintain your warranty. I think that would sit better for me.
Most companies are anti-consumer, they aren't here for US. We just enable them.

Why on earth would you need to use a 3rd party repair shop to fix a device under warranty !? If you use 3rd party shop and PAY it's because the phone isn't under warranty anymore.
Don't drink the coolaid and think this move is to protect us peasant lol.

And for your other point, Louis Rossman explains how to get Apple certified in his video and that's a whole WHOLE world of racketing, so yeah another strike there.

Edit: You know I'm sure everyone would tone down if Apple used different words in the health menu like "Battery looks ok but wasn't installed by an Apple technician". Would you be OK if the engine light came on in your car when you change its oil at your buddy's garage with the OBD2 code "Warning: Oil is dubious, call your dealer asap".

 

[Darunion]

Why on earth would you need to use a 3rd party repair shop to fix a device under warranty !? If you use 3rd party shop and PAY it's because the phone isn't under warranty anymore.
Don't drink the coolaid and think this move is to protect us peasant lol.

And for your other point, Louis Rossman explains how to get Apple certified in his video and that's a whole WHOLE world of racketing, so yeah another strike there.

Edit: You know I'm sure everyone would tone down if Apple used different words in the health menu like "Battery looks ok but wasn't installed by an Apple technician". Would you be OK if the engine light came on in your car when you change its oil at your buddy's garage with the OBD2 code "Warning: Oil is dubious, call your dealer asap".

Ah good point, sorry typing at work makes me get distracted lol.

Honestly, after working as a technician and support, I wouldn't let you idiots (used in general, not you personally) even have the ability to change out alkaline batteries in a flashlight without some kind of certified tech to do it for you.

I do agree, it would have more of a feeling of safety and concern for people if they would word things differently. The whole "you are holding it wrong" still seems to echo within the company.

 

[blackmomba]

Imagine if they did this with cars

 

[MMitch]

Ah good point, sorry typing at work makes me get distracted lol.

Honestly, after working as a technician and support, I wouldn't let you idiots (used in general, not you personally) even have the ability to change out alkaline batteries in a flashlight without some kind of certified tech to do it for you.

I do agree, it would have more of a feeling of safety and concern for people if they would word things differently. The whole "you are holding it wrong" still seems to echo within the company.

Why the hate at people trying to fix their out of warranty things ? Worst case for them, it means a higher bill once they call in tech support. They still tried and learnt.
If they poke inside an under warranty device, well, that's a clear cut case of customer abuse and warranty void, so revenue generating.

The End user should be able to fix simple stuff like replacing a battery. I do however think they should rely on experienced person for stuff that require tools like heat gun for obvious reasons. In the end it's their stuff so they're entitled in breaking the s*** out of it lol. Let mother nature decide who survive.

Can't wait for the day you can't fill the printer with paper or replace a light bulb because you're not certified lol. Reminds me of The Sims character dying when doing such lol.

 

[Darunion]

Why the hate at people trying to fix their out of warranty things ? Worst case for them, it means a higher bill once they call in tech support. They still tried and learnt.
If they poke inside an under warranty device, well, that's a clear cut case of customer abuse and warranty void, so revenue generating.

The End user should be able to fix simple stuff like replacing a battery. I do however think they should rely on experienced person for stuff that require tools like heat gun for obvious reasons. In the end it's their stuff so they're entitled in breaking the s*** out of it lol. Let mother nature decide who survive.

Can't wait for the day you can't fill the printer with paper or replace a light bulb because you're not certified lol. Reminds me of The Sims character dying when doing such lol.

The problem stems from reviews and online media. People that screw up their own stuff still get to write reviews. Get them retracted and that still shows up on fakespot type services.

And most people get a new phone every or every other year. So is this actually an issue or is it just fabricated social network outrage? You can get lots of youtube hits for this kind of stuff.

I feel like this is getting some people angrier than the entire MFI chip/program apple had.

lol @ sims. That game always did get a good laugh from me and a WTF? lol

 

[defaultluser]

The buyers are locked-in and easily scammed out of their money. Of course Apple will continue to lock things in even further every year, and it's users will continue to make excuses about how "They've never seen anything like Apple"'s overpriced service.

The eternal complainers are the same people who keep buying new phones year-after-year! The only way to stop the cycle is to vote with your wallet, BUT SWITCHING IS SO HARRRRRRDDD! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

 

[Darunion]

The buyers are locked-in and easily scammed out of their money. Of course Apple will continue to lock things in even further every year, and it's users will continue to make excuses about how "They've never seen anything like Apple"'s overpriced service.

The eternal complainers are the same people who keep buying new phones year-after-year! The only way to stop the cycle is to vote with your wallet, BUT SWITCHING IS SO HARRRRRRDDD! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

It is weird though right? You have the side that has no interest in buying an iphone and the side that gets angry but buys it anyways. The third group that is either ignorant or doesn't care, probably doesn't click the links for these anyways lol.

 

[Deleted member 243478]

The buyers are locked-in and easily scammed out of their money. Of course Apple will continue to lock things in even further every year, and it's users will continue to make excuses about how "They've never seen anything like Apple"'s overpriced service.

The eternal complainers are the same people who keep buying new phones year-after-year! The only way to stop the cycle is to vote with your wallet, BUT SWITCHING IS SO HARRRRRRDDD! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Yes $60 for a new battery, such a scam

Let me guess, you guys will blame Apple when your fake replacement battery either doesn’t work or sets your phone on fire...

 

[MMitch]

Yes $60 for a new battery, such a scam
Let me guess, you guys will blame Apple when your fake replacement battery either doesn’t work or sets your phone on fire...

I replaced a lot of batteries in cellphone with stuff bought from amazon and even ebay, never had any issue. But yeah QA is not same. How many "jobber" batteries / batteries blown ? No data, ok yeah thought so. But yeah my sample may be small in such market but still...

The buyers are locked-in and easily scammed out of their money. Of course Apple will continue to lock things in even further every year, and it's users will continue to make excuses about how "They've never seen anything like Apple"'s overpriced service.
The eternal complainers are the same people who keep buying new phones year-after-year! The only way to stop the cycle is to vote with your wallet, BUT SWITCHING IS SO HARRRRRRDDD! WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Samsung Switch [for example]... unless you bought into the ecosystem (iTunes store etc) in which case you dug your tomb. Re-read your comment, was it suppose to have a /s ? Just asking
Just switched my die hard sheep sister to the new A70 and she couldn't be happier.

The problem stems from reviews and online media. People that screw up their own stuff still get to write reviews. Get them retracted and that still shows up on fakespot type services.
And most people get a new phone every or every other year. So is this actually an issue or is it just fabricated social network outrage? You can get lots of youtube hits for this kind of stuff.
I feel like this is getting some people angrier than the entire MFI chip/program apple had.
lol @ sims. That game always did get a good laugh from me and a WTF? lol

There's "most" people switching every year but there's also the family members getting the old phones and/or used market. Trust me, far from most people outside the targeted audience is switching every year or so. My old phone goes to my father, while my sister's to my mom and after that to my aunt...
There's still the fabricated social stuff but I would be pissed if I replaced a battery with an OEM one myself (skilled trained technician in a domain much more demanding than swapping batteries / boards) and that the said PAID hardware was saying that the brand new OEM battery should be checked. It would dramatically lower the resell value.

 

[Lakados]

I replaced a lot of batteries in cellphone with stuff bought from amazon and even ebay, never had any issue. But yeah QA is not same. How many "jobber" batteries / batteries blown ? No data, ok yeah thought so. But yeah my sample may be small in such market but still...



Samsung Switch [for example]... unless you bought into the ecosystem (iTunes store etc) in which case you dug your tomb. Re-read your comment, was it suppose to have a /s ? Just asking
Just switched my die hard sheep sister to the new A70 and she couldn't be happier.



There's "most" people switching every year but there's also the family members getting the old phones and/or used market. Trust me, far from most people outside the targeted audience is switching every year or so. My old phone goes to my father, while my sister's to my mom and after that to my aunt...
There's still the fabricated social stuff but I would be pissed if I replaced a battery with an OEM one myself (skilled trained technician in a domain much more demanding than swapping batteries / boards) and that the said PAID hardware was saying that the brand new OEM battery should be checked. It would dramatically lower the resell value.

Back in the day I remember the MacBook Pro’s would give all sorts of errors if you weren’t using an official battery, Dell and HP too. I mean it’s one thing if there are no options other than to take it to Apple but it’s another all together if they offer the ability for you to buy the official batteries off the Apple store.