iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone SE or other model user? Apple just gave you GREAT relief

In a big relief to iPhone users, from iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone SE or other models, the chances of anyone stealing their phone has been reduced.

Lost or stolen iPhones will not be fixed by Apple repair providers anymore! (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

If you have an iPhone, from iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone SE or other models, the chances of anyone stealing the phone have been reduced significantly. Apple will no longer repair iPhones that have been marked as lost or stolen on the GSMA Device Registry. Yes! The Cupertino-based tech giant has instructed all Apple Store employees and Apple Authorized Service Providers to deny repairs to users who bring in iPhones that have been marked as missing or lost in the MobileGenius or GSX systems. This policy will deter would-be thieves from targetting iPhone users. The change has been announced through an internal memo that was sent by Apple to all its employees working in Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers.

As reported by MacRumours, Apple will now start using the GSMA Device Registry database to check if an iPhone is marked as lost or stolen and if the database and the company's internal systems show an iPhone reported as missing, the technicians will deny repairs. Note that this is not a new change but an extension of the company's existing policy under which it does not provide any repairs for lost or stolen devices. This was, however, applicable only to iPhones that have the Find My feature enabled. But with the new change, this will be applicable to those iPhones as well that don't have the Find My feature enabled.

How does the GSMA device registry work?

The GSMA device registry stores the database of device serial numbers and information on each product's status. If someone reports their phone as stolen or missing to law officials, it is flagged by the authorities via GSMA. And hence, repair providers can easily identify any missing device if it ever comes to them for restoration work.

With this new policy, the tech giant will be able to keep a track of stolen devices that reach repair providers. This will also help prevent those devices from getting fixed so that it may not get misused by any wrong person.

The premium mobile manufacturer is well known for its strong privacy policies when it comes to its hardware. For example a bar technician cannot remove a device's Activation Lock unless the customer provides a proof of product ownership.