Apple has earlier unveiled a few adjustments in its repair programs through its devices with the intention of enhancing the usability of repairing iPhones with authentic used parts. 

One of the more significant changes in the updates was the Activation Lock for iPhone parts, developed to prevent the sale of stolen iPhone parts. This feature is finally functional on iOS 18 to provide better security for the users.

As a user, you're getting the most benefits here since this will make your iPhone hard to unlock even if someone steals it from you.

How Activation Lock for iPhone Parts Works in iOS 18

As highlighted by BetaProfiles, the Release Candidate (RC) build of iOS 18 now enables Activation Lock for various iPhone components. Previously, Apple's Activation Lock linked your Apple Account to the iPhone itself. 

With iOS 18, the link extends to key parts such as the battery, camera, and display, each identified by their unique serial numbers. This move aims to address the problem of stolen iPhones being dismantled and sold for parts on the gray market.

Even if thieves sell the phone's components, the device will now prompt for the Apple Account password of the original owner when detecting a used part. 

Without this password, the system will restrict calibration capabilities for that specific component, rendering the part unusable. 

Some users have already tested part-swapping between iPhones running iOS 18.0 RC, and they reported that the device immediately requests the Apple Account credentials to unlock and verify the swapped components. This new feature is a step forward in preventing iPhone theft and discouraging the resale of stolen parts.

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Apple's Commitment to Reducing iPhone Theft

Thus, by activating parts through Activation Lock, Apple wants to reduce iPhone theft, as its parts are actively sold on the black market for further use, as per 9to5Mac. This will be very effective where in case the iPhone is opened and the components are sold on the market, the customers will not be able to use them if they do not have the Apple Account details of the former owner.

There will always be people who will try to breach Apple's security measures but this new feature clearly shows Apple's earnest effort to reduce the theft of smartphones. 

Reducing the value of separate components which can be extracted from an iPhone, will contribute to the overall security of the device and prevent thieves from having a strong motivation to steal iPhones.

iOS 18 Public Release Date and Compatibility 

iOS 18 is set for public release on Monday, Sept. 16, and will be available for iPhone XR and later models. It's important to note that, for now, Activation Lock for parts only applies to iPhones and won't extend to iPads running iPadOS 18. However, this feature marks a significant evolution in Apple's security efforts, and it could expand to other devices in future updates. 

User Reactions to Activation Lock for iPhone Parts On Reddit

Apple users are already discussing the potential impact of Activation Lock for iPhone parts. 

One Redditor questioned the purpose of enabling end users to "calibrate and verify" parts, wondering if the feature would truly deter phone thieves. Another user expressed concern over protecting their phone at large events like music festivals, where theft is more common.

Some users responded by noting that if technicians or thieves do not hide around the new feature with iPhones, the thieves will have nothing. This could minimize the cases of smartphone theft since there would be little reason for the theft to steal devices that they cannot sell for the purpose of hardware components.

For instance, one of the Reddit users, who stated that he would not repair the iPhone himself, highlighted the broader importance of this feature. As per him, activation lock is going to reduce the utility of stolen iPhones thereby reducing the overall theft and a bonus in security for all iPhone users.

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