Apple Expands Activation Lock Feature to Prevent iPhone Part Theft

Apple has announced plans to expand its “Activation Lock” feature to include iPhone parts, aiming to prevent thieves from disassembling stolen devices and selling their components.

In April, the company introduced the option to use second-hand parts for iPhone repairs, making the process more accessible. However, this change also raised concerns about potential risks.

To address these concerns, Apple is working to ensure that iPhone parts are protected by the “Activation Lock” feature, which requires the input of the associated Apple ID password or access code to use the device.

By expanding this feature to include repair parts, Apple hopes to prevent the dismantling of stolen iPhones and the resale of their components.

With iOS 18, iPhone users will be able to link their Apple ID to specific parts, such as batteries, screens, and cameras, using their serial numbers. This will render stolen parts unusable, even if they are sold as spare components.