Bad news for Apple, good news for consumers. The state of Oregon (in the northwest of the United States) has adopted a new law further protecting the right to repairs. This new legislative framework notably makes illegal a common practice at Apple, consisting of pairing certain components with their original device.
In short, this method associates the serial number of a given component (the screen for example) with the serial number of the iPhone or iPad on which it was installed at the factory. A way for Apple to control the sale of spare parts, to prevent unofficial parts from being installed on its devices, but also to prevent, at least in certain cases, users from easily repairing their devices themselves, or turn to independent repairers.
In Oregon, the right to repairs is now strengthened
Concretely, replacing an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 screen outside of Apple’s official after-sales service in many cases has the effect of blocking the Face ID sensor (essential for facial recognition). A problem which had also led the repair specialist iFixit to downgrade its rating for the iPhone 14 in 2022.
The new legislation adopted by Tina Kotek, Democratic Governor of Oregon, will ban this practice on all products marketed in the state as of January 1, 2025. A move that could spread across the American market, where several Other states (such as California, Minnesota and New York) are sensitive about the right to repairs.
Contacted by The Verge, Kile Weins, CEO of iFixit, said:extremely proud that [son] Home State Passes Most Strong Electronics Right to Repair Bill to Date“. A law adopted despite the efforts made by Apple. Before making an about-face in 2021, the firm had fought hard against projects aimed at establishing a right to repair. The firm had notably invested significant sums in lobbying across the Atlantic, both at the state and federal level, to try to weaken legislation or outright block bills like the one adopted in Oregon.
Three years ago, Apple nevertheless ended up putting water in its wine by announcing its Self Service Repair program, a service aimed at allowing users to repair their devices themselves. However, the question of matching parts remained both central and blocking. From 2025, Apple will therefore have to review its copy on this point too… at least in the United States.