Update, Jan. 14, 2021: After seeing a MacRumors report that iOS 14.4 could introduce a “genuine Apple camera” warning, similar to what occurs when trading batteries and screens, we tested trading cameras between iPhone 12 units again today, with a beta version of iOS 14.4 installed in each phone. Surprisingly, the cameras now perform as expected, without the critical glitches we saw when first attempting this repair. We did not receive “genuine” warnings. Based on the Apple documentation included in this post, however, we believe this warning is likely to occur in the future.
After exhaustive testing, comparing notes with multiple repair technicians, and reviewing leaked Apple training documents, we’ve found that the iPhone 12 camera is entirely unreliable when swapped between iPhones.
This latest fault, along with indications from Apple’s repair guides, makes it more clear than ever: Apple, by design or neglect or both, is making it extremely hard to repair an iPhone without their blessing. This may be a bug that Apple eventually fixes. There is even precedent for iPhone parts misbehaving when swapped between phones.
But it is also possible that Apple is planning on locking out all unauthorized iPhone camera and screen repairs. Apple’s internal training guides tell authorized technicians that, starting with the 12 and its variants, they will need to run Apple’s proprietary, cloud-linked System Configuration app to fully repair cameras and screens.
We are very concerned about this possibility.
The iPhone only Apple can really repair

We scored the iPhone 12 a 6 out of 10 for repairability when we tore it down last week. Like most iPhones, it is a device designed, generally, to be opened and serviced, even if Apple prefers that only its technicians do so. Most parts can be replaced, the design prioritizes screws instead of glue, and critical components like the display and battery are some of the easiest repairs.
But after seeing some extremely odd results in our standard camera repair tests—spurred further by YouTuber Hugh Jeffreys, whose results matched our own—we felt compelled to dig deeper. The iPhone 12 camera, when transferred to another iPhone 12, appears to work on launch, but fails miserably in actual use. It refuses to switch to the ultrawide camera, responds only to certain camera modes, and occasionally hangs and becomes completely unresponsive.
Until this point, cameras have generally been easy to swap between iPhones of the same model. Even our iPhone 12 Pro tests had no issues: every function worked fine.
There is some precedent for iPhone parts reacting badly to swaps, even if Apple didn’t willfully cause the issue. Apple used three different manufacturers for iPhone 7 and 8 Plus LCD screens; swapping between them can cause “ghost touch” and other response issues. Replacement Taptic Engines in the iPhone 7 and 8 occasionally misbehave, fixable only if you restore the original engine’s serial number.
Even if the 12’s camera issues are a one-off bug, there is reason to be concerned. In Apple’s internal training guides for the iPhone 12, authorized technicians are told that, starting with the 12, they will need to run Apple’s proprietary, cloud-linked System Configuration app to fully repair cameras and screens.
This doesn’t mean that an iPhone camera, or screen, will not work at all without an official tech’s touch. We performed multiple screen-swaps between iPhone 12 models and they function as expected, albeit with Apple’s misleading on-screen warning that the displays might not be “genuine” (even though they are). But it doesn’t look good for independent repair. Apple is putting yet another question mark on a core component of the iPhone. Why? Why does a camera need to have its serial number authorized remotely by Apple just to let someone take pictures with their phone?
Given the buggy-but-technically-working behavior, the precedent for misbehaving part swaps, and our inability to recreate the issue with the 12 Pro, one might hope that Apple will address iPhone 12 camera swap behavior in a future software update. But taken together with the System Configuration document, and all the other bugs, tricks, and intentional lock-outs that Apple has put in the way of fully functioning iPhones, we take this as a sign that things won’t get any better unless there is major change—from within, from customer demand, or from the law.
We reached out to Apple with our findings, and the company has said they will get back to us. We will update this post if we receive an official response. In the meantime, we are actively reevaluating how our repairability scale scores iPhones going forward.
Serialization is not security
In repair circles, iPhones behaving badly with genuine parts from another phone is not new. Techs working outside Apple’s authorized network often fix these issues with slightly exotic tools that change serial numbers stored on tiny EEPROM chips. You might call these “soft” serial number issues. They are usually fixable only by repair shops who are in-the-know, and leave DIY fixers in the cold.
A “hard” serial-match issue arrived with the Touch ID sensor in the iPhone 5s, which featured a Touch ID sensor that could not be replaced without an Apple tech reprogramming the Secure Enclave in your iPhone. The same went for Face ID on the iPhone X: replace the screen and its sensors and you’re going without. Then the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max arrived, and they warned you about needing “Service” if you changed the battery. The same kinda-works-with-a-warning trick showed up on the iPhone 11. Each one systematically eroded your ability to restore your phone to its original condition. And while each change took away some functionality from phones fixed outside Apple’s network, they seemed like individual trade-offs, not a pattern of serial obsession.
You could argue that warning an iPhone owner about non-genuine parts, especially if the phone was bought used, is useful information. Apple’s security model may be fragile enough that third-party Touch ID or Face ID replacements pose a problem. (That’s a pretty long shot—Apple’s security team is top-notch, and Google and Samsung allow for fingerprint sensor swaps without issue.) But the main camera module is not a security component. It’s a part prone to malfunction and damage, and can be harvested from otherwise-broken iPhones. Putting an authentication check on a simple camera swap poisons the iPhone repair and resale market. With no obvious benefit for iPhone buyers, it reeks of greed. Or worse: planned obsolescence.
Made to break

Apple states in its recent environmental report that 76 percent of the emissions created by its products are created in manufacturing. It claims that “making repairs more convenient and reliable is directly aligned” with its environmental goals. And Apple claims that it has made “design choices so that products are easier to repair.” Given the huge number of iPhones in the world, and the potential for reusing their components, it’s hard to see how tightening access to common repairs fits these goals.
Instead, Apple is nibbling away at our freedoms. Right to repair means that we can fix our own things in the safety of our own homes without the permission of the manufacturer. Right to Repair bills in many US states demand that any manufacturer that requires a tool for fixing its products provide that tool to the public, not just its own technicians. If passed, this law would open up Apple’s software “configuration” tools to independent fixers and curious do-it-yourself types. People could extract valuable cameras, screens, and other parts from discarded iPhones, fix their own iPhones with them, and put off buying new devices for a while.
We need a long term solution. No more half-measures, hoping Apple didn’t do it on purpose this time. It’s become clear that the only way forward is to make sure that consumers have access to the same repair tools that Apple provides their technicians. It’s our phone, we should have the right to fix it.
The only way to guarantee that right is to pass a law. Twenty states stand ready to do just that. Call your legislator and tell them that the time has come to restore our Right to Repair.
댓글 32개
Very interesting. I estimate that within a month, there will be a work-around using microsoldering…which is a ridiculous solution. Also I noticed the chart doesn’t show an Apple diagnostic for replacing the 11 and 11 Pro screens, but as the article mentions, that’s needed. Is that chart actually “insider info” or just made up, because that’s a glaringly obious omission.
jeremyfitz - 답글
@jeremyfitz You can put an iPhone 11 screen onto another iPhone 11 and it will work, but until you run System Configuration on the screen, it won’t have full function.
And I assure you it’s not “made up.” It’s taken directly from Apple’s repair documents for their authorized technicians. Two different techs with access to that system, GSX, confirmed the data.
Kevin Purdy -
System Configurator is not needed for display replacements on iPhones prior to the iPhone 12. We (AASP technicians) use a different program to “calibrate” replacement display assemblies so FaceID works and the genuine display message goes away. Also, I can confirm that the chart is 100% accurate and taken directly from internal Apple repair documentation.
Noice -
System configurator or another workout “calibrator” whatever you call it, iPhone 11 needs to be configured to function %100, tru tone doesn’t work properly if you don’t.
Jason Okan -
Great article! Especially impressed that you mention what believable reasons there can be for such lock-ins while not accepting them as a necessity. I would also say that right to repair laws would force a company like apple, that prides itself on its ability to innovate, to actually innovate here and come up with security that does not depend on their intervention. One point though… could you also mention right to repair movements in other places than the US? Once right to repair exists in any major market, it will be difficult for companies to not follow those laws everywhere! Here the European version of this initiative: https://repair.eu
Dmat - 답글
I am all for right to repair laws. But different laws in different regions don’t have the effect that you state. What happens is companies provide a striped down version of a product for those regions, that don’t have the full features of phones in unregulated regions. We see/saw that with Microsoft and Internet Explorer and the various regional versions of the Windows operating system. Europe is all talk and big headlines about consumer protection, but closed door, backroom deals mean companies hardly ever pay the reported fines. It’s all smoke and mirrors to make the politicians look good.
Timothy Boyden -
C’est scandaleux ! Rien que pour ça on devrait interdir la vente des iPhone 12 . Apple doit arrêter d’essayer de nous faire croire que c’est pour notre bien. J’ai pas de mots, je suis dégoûté par ces pratiques de Apple.
[deleted] - 답글
This has been going on since the Apple Mac in 1984 (deeply recessed security screws making opening (e.g. to add memory) very difficult. Add in proprietary interfaces, non expansion (etc...) and you begin to see why tech savvy buyers won’t purchase Apple.
R. Mark Clayton - 답글
I would be surprised if the cameras and displays are not color managed, meaning that they are calibrated to record and display colors accurately. This is a process that any serious photographer does with his cameras, computer screens and printers. If that is the case then it would make sense that there is a database at apple that maps serial numbers of components to their calibration data, which would need to be loaded into the phone being repaired with the replacement part.
brian - 답글
That is something that I didn’t think of. Color management and whatever the software behind camera iPhone is running could be affected by non-matched camera. Very interesting and this makes sense.
iFIX smartphone -
this actually is quiet industry practice, i lost my calibration data when i tried to debloat my msi laptop, fortunately a guy at discord had it and i copied back, now colors are beautiful…
Mateen Ahmed -
Do the tech docs mention if it’s due to the new Dolby features?
Chaz Adams - 답글
It does not make any mention of the specific reason whatsoever. It literally just says that replacement rear camera modules have to be configured. It doesn’t even state what the expected behavior of a replacement module without configuration is... So this buggy behavior could potentially not be expected and could be fixed (in a new iOS update) to simply just display an error message similar to the battery or display replacement message.
Noice -
Unfortunately, such a law for consumer electronics doesn’t have a chance in !&&* to pass. We already have trouble getting such laws passed for a hand-full of automakers with whom no one has a personal attachment to. Consumer electronics, like phones, are personal and brands have a rabid fan base following. Can you even imagine the kind of money and ads that would be thrown at defeating such a law, especially with how in bed Apple is with the major media and Hollywood?
Timothy Boyden - 답글
This an evil company. Stop buying from them and put them out of business. Problem solved.
Donny Cotten - 답글
Exactly! This “problem” is not a problem at all, it has a extremely simple and easy solution, and you’ve identified it. Boggles my mind why anyone who would want to fix their own products would still be purchasing Apple. Ifixit should just ignore Apple going forward and focus their efforts on companies whose target market isn’t “people with too much money and too little sense”.
Ralph Thiedke -
on the Positive side for Apple….. my Trusty 5SE 5 year old had a battery longevity problem .. and I stopped by a third party repair shop in a shopping mall. They replaced the battery for $. Three days later the phone died .. I took it to apple Genius Bar and was told if I had come to apple they would replace it for $65 with warrantee. A[[le refused to service it as it had been altered. However they offered me a reconditioned Apple authorised one with a. new battery for $160. It been now two years in its Otter cover, run over by several trucks and generally had a hard life and perfectly working. It good the company supports its customers..
andrew - 답글
Article should be edited, as Samsung too have since made it not possible to retain fingerprint recognition on the Galaxy A50 and A70, following July security update. Calibration tool is needed for the fingerprint sensor to work if the screen has been replaced (Even when using Genuine Service Pack replacement screen, and original or new sensor).
Luke - 답글
nice and good
Hintz11 - 답글
looking also ned t improve to be also good
Hintz11 - 답글
I have a feeling the new MacBooks with the arm chips might be un-repairable as well
[deleted] - 답글
It is likely, this will be my last iPhone and I have bought all of them except the 3G S.
Overpriced?
Fine.
Messages prompting you did not use a genuine part?
Fine.
Severe functionality loss for non security related components?
Are you out of your ******* mind?
Nicolas massart - 답글
I only use a crapple phone because I got a refurbished one for a cheap price. I dislike the company and especially Steve Jobs who thought all consumers were too stupid to open apple products and therefore he made it very difficult to do so. That mindset has been with apple for a long time and I can’t see them changing it in the future. If all you care about is money, then forcing consumers to use your services to repair their problems makes a ton of cash. Caring about customers is way down the list of apple priorities, if it exists at all. I am especially amused when they announce a new product (hey look, this new phone has a slightly bigger button) and people line up, peeing themselves like excited puppies hoping to get the newest whatever, which is outdated in six months anyway.
David Peter - 답글
Very informative thanks! I’m head tech at a batteries plus and we are partnering with Samsung and getting official parts soon! Samsung has lapped apple completely as far as repair goes! So I say bring it on Apple! I’ll repair Samsung devices and hopefully we can all kick apple’s blowhard secure enclave bullshit to the curb.
TECHMASI - 답글
My guess Apple doing it to stop Second Hand Market of dubious origin parts. It would also restrict stolen devices being reassembled into “new” devices. In doing so it would greatly limit theft(street crime) of expensive gadgets.
Just my thought
I. Jurgutis - 답글
Any court that enables Apple’s monopoly on repair should be held in scrutiny. Forcing iPhone owners to purchase Apple Care, then extended warranties, as the only recourse is tantamount to extortion. Personally, I’ve had enough of Apple. I’d like to see Tim Cook and his co-conspirators executed, publicly, and no longer be shamed into accepting the types of radical underhanded business practice that Apple profits greatly from.
Conservative View - 답글
Hi everyone, The right to repair must be supported. @Ifixit and everyone, Can you please share the leaked Apple training document mentioned in the above article? Thanks in advance
Anumeet Kaur - 답글
Hi, can you please share where we can access these training guides?
Amit - 답글
Very informative article. Can you tell me from where we can find Apple technical guides?
Albert Einstein - 답글
I will reply to your question : “Why does a camera need to have its serial number authorized remotely by Apple just to let someone take pictures with their phone?”
Why? Because it prevents stolen phones from being sold to use parts out of it. Thats why. I dont care if my phone is repairable. I will get a new one. What I do care about is, that the person who has stolen it cannot make any money out of it.
Maci - 답글
There are likely some privacy and security aspects being overlooked. Might be worth pondering and maybe hitting the websearchs before hailing a “right” to repair. An option? Certainly. But everything is about trade offs.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/cons...
Grey Mouser - 답글
What people call (and poo poo) “planned obsolescence” more or less drives our vast economies.
Grey Mouser - 답글