Oliver Haslam·

Apple Kills The Ability To Perform DIY Third-Party Repairs On Newer Macs, Here’s What You Need To Know

In a move that will no doubt catch the attention of ‘Right to Repair’ states and countries, Apple has reportedly made it impossible for people, or independent repair shops, to repair a new MacBook Pro or iMac Pro, depending on the items that are replaced.

By placing software limitations in some of its devices it will render them useless unless an Apple employee, or an authorized repair center, runs Apple-specific diagnostic software on the computers.

This comes after a report by Motherboard in which it says that all T2-equipped computers will require the use of a diagnostic tool called Apple Service Toolkit 2 in order to be usable once again. This will only come into play if specific parts of the computers are replaced, although the list is rather lengthy.

The software lock will kick in for any repair which involves replacing a MacBook Pro’s display assembly, logic board, top case (the keyboard, touchpad, and internal housing), and Touch ID board. On iMac Pros, it will kick in if the Logic Board or flash storage are replaced. The computer will only begin functioning again after Apple or a member of one of Apple’s Authorized Service Provider repair program runs diagnostic software called Apple Service Toolkit 2.

The Apple Service Toolkit 2 software is only available to Apple employees and those working at Apple-authorized repairers, meaning users cannot repair their own hardware or use third-party shops in order to get a repair at a cheaper price.

While many will point to this as Apple’s way of getting more money out of its users, it’s possible this is all being done in the name of security in order to preserve the data stored in that T2 chip. Similar moves have been made with the iPhone, preventing nefarious people from replacing Touch ID sensors with those that recognize their own fingers in order to gain access to a device. In this case, Apple may be preventing bad actors from replacing hardware in order to gain access to a computer with a T2 chip built-in.

(Source: Motherboard)

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