This feature will prevent your iPhone from getting repaired from stolen parts

Apple is always working to improve security for its users, and they have recently added a new feature called "Activation Lock" in the release candidate (RC) of iOS 18. 

This update, available to select developers and public beta testers, enhances protection by linking individual iPhone components—like the battery and display—to the user’s Apple account, similar to how the iPhone itself is linked.

The goal is to reduce iPhone theft by preventing stolen parts from being used in other iPhones. 

How To Turn on Activation Lock?

To activate this feature, users simply need to enable ‘Find My’ on their device, which will automatically turn on the Activation Lock.

When an iPhone is being repaired, if it detects that a part was sourced from another device with an Activation Lock, it will restrict the calibration capabilities for that part. 

This feature will be available on iPhone SE, XR, XS, and up to the latest iPhone 16 models.

Previously, Activation Lock was only applied to the iPhone itself, preventing lost or stolen devices from being reactivated without proper authentication. Now, Apple is extending the Activation Lock to individual components.

While this feature enhances security, it also has a downside. If a user’s iPhone needs a specific part that is not available for purchase but is found in another device of the same model, it may not work due to Activation Lock restrictions.