Apple really wants your iPhone to have genuine parts, camera might be one of them

Apple wants to make sure that your iPhone is fitted with authentic parts when it comes to repairs. So that’s why it is planning to show you warning on the iPhone screen when a third-party camera is used in the repair. In case you are unaware, the iPhone already shows you warnings when you get the screen replaced by a third party or if someone installs a non-Apple battery inside the handset. However, it looks like with the beta release of iOS 14.4, Apple plans to add cameras in the list too. 

The on-screen error message says “Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple camera.” The warning may also appear in the Settings app under General > About as necessary and as a notification in the lock screen, states Macrumors.

Also read: Apple says 15% iCloud users don't have extra layer of security enabled for their data

It has been added that if the warning works in the same way as it does for the screen and battery users might still be able to use the camera. Also mentioned is that the message may direct users towards a future Apple support document wherein it emphasizes the importance of iPhone repairs by authorized technicians and genuine Apple parts.

Apple has been making it difficult to repair iPhones via third-party repair shops, year over year. In November last year, Ifixit mentioned that the iPhone 12’s camera cannot be repaired without accessing Apple’s proprietary, cloud-linked System Configuration app. This was pointed out by a YouTuber named Hugh Jeffreys in a video. Ifixit also found that while placing the camera of one iPhone 12 to another one works fine at the time of the launch but fails in actual use.

“Apple, by design or neglect or both, is making it extremely hard to repair an ‌iPhone‌ without their blessing,” said iFixit. “It doesn't look good for independent repair. Apple is putting yet another question mark on a core component of the ‌iPhone‌. Why? Why does a camera need to have its serial number authorized remotely by Apple just to let someone take pictures with their phone?”