# Apple’s Latest Activation Lock for iPhone Parts: A Move Toward Theft Deterrence
Apple has launched a new feature aimed at preventing theft for beta users: **Activation Lock for iPhone parts**. This advanced measure seeks to make it harder for thieves to gain value from stolen iPhones, but it also brings up issues concerning DIY repairs and the use of components from damaged devices.
## The Progression of Apple’s Theft Deterrent Features
### Find My
Apple’s foray into theft deterrence started with the launch of the **Find My** feature. This utility enables users to monitor the locations of their devices via another Apple device or the internet. Initially, thieves could escape tracking by turning off the device. However, following the release of iOS 15 in 2021, Apple improved this feature, ensuring devices remain traceable even when switched off. The iPhone enters a low-power mode, operating similarly to an AirTag, which allows nearby iOS devices to pick up its Bluetooth signal and report its location.
### Activation Lock
In 2013, Apple introduced **Activation Lock**, a revolutionary feature that restricts stolen iPhones from being activated by anyone other than the rightful owner. Even if a thief wipes and resets the device, they cannot access it without the original owner’s Apple ID and password. This greatly diminished the demand for stolen iPhones, as thieves could no longer simply reset them for resale.
## Activation Lock for iPhone Components
In April 2024, Apple revealed its plans to expand Activation Lock to essential iPhone components like batteries, cameras, and displays. This feature aims to further discourage the dismantling of stolen iPhones for parts. If a device under repair detects that a component was sourced from a device with Activation Lock or Lost Mode active, its calibration options will be limited.
This functionality has now been rolled out in the latest iOS 18 beta, associating users’ Apple Accounts not just with their iPhones, but also with specific components based on their serial numbers. Although this won’t encompass all parts, it is expected to significantly affect the market for stolen iPhones, with many prospective buyers likely to be dissuaded by the risk of non-calibrated or defective components.
## The Effect on Theft
With these advancements, iPhones are becoming increasingly theft-resilient. Thieves encounter multiple obstacles: they can’t easily track stolen devices, sell them as functional phones, and the worth of stolen parts is reduced because of Activation Lock. While some incidents of theft may still take place, particularly by those in urgent situations, these features render stealing iPhones less attractive.
## The Repair Dilemma
Even with the advantages posed by these theft-prevention measures, they complicate the repair landscape. The implementation of Activation Lock for parts complicates DIY repairs using components from legitimately sourced broken devices. This situation has sparked concerns among Apple resellers and repair advocates, who claim that the initial rollout of Activation Lock has already resulted in complications in both private and corporate transactions.
For example, when companies cycle through devices at fixed intervals, they frequently sell older devices in bulk. The necessity to deactivate Activation Lock from each device separately can be cumbersome. Apple has started tackling this challenge by permitting the removal of Activation Locks from Macs during the wiping process, and similar solutions are anticipated for iPhones in the near future.
## Looking Forward
Apple’s dedication to enhancing the security features of its devices is praiseworthy, yet it is crucial to strike a balance between these measures and the needs of consumers aiming to repair their devices. As the company continues to improve its policies, it is vital to maintain accessibility in the repair process while safeguarding users from theft.
In summary, Apple’s new Activation Lock for iPhone components marks a notable advancement in making iPhones more secure against theft. Although it presents challenges for DIY repairs, the anticipated decline in stolen iPhone cases could ultimately serve consumers and the larger market positively. As Apple addresses the repair-related concerns, the future of iPhone security and repairability remains an important topic of dialogue.
