iOS 17.5 Includes 'Repair State' Option That Doesn't Require Turning Off Find My for Service

[MacRumors]

With iOS 17.5, Apple is adding a "Repair State" feature that is designed to allow an iPhone to be sent in for service without deactivating Find My and Activation Lock. The fourth iOS 17.5 beta that came out today adds a "Remove This Device" option for all devices in Find My, and using it with an iPhone puts that iPhone into the new Repair State.

Right now, sending an iPhone to Apple to be repaired requires turning off Find My, and Apple says that it "might not" be able to repair devices that have Find My activated. Turning off Find My disables Activation Lock, an important anti-theft security feature that prevents an iPhone from being used with another Apple ID.

Apple currently uses Find My and Activation Lock as a way to ensure that a person sending a device in for repair actually owns that device, and that it's not stolen. An iPhone sent in for repair with Find My disabled cannot be tracked, and it is not protected from theft, so if it is lost or stolen at some point in transit during the repair process, there is no recovery method available. Removing Find My also has a hitch with Stolen Device Protection, as there is an hour wait when turning off Find My, which can be inconvenient for repair purposes.

The new repair state leaves Find My turned on, so Activation Lock remains enabled, and the iPhone continues to be trackable with the Find My app while it is being repaired. When enabled, the device in the repair state has a "Ready for Repair" label. "This device remains fully functional in the repair state," reads the text.

In the list of devices, an iPhone put into a repair state has a small stethoscope icon, and it can be marked as lost. While in repair state, the iPhone is fully functional.

As of right now, using the "Remove This Device" option in Find My to enable a repair state appears to be limited to the iPhone. Using it on other devices like an iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch shows a warning that the feature will remove the device from the Apple ID account, allowing it to be used by someone else. Note that an iPhone must be online and trackable through Find My for the repair state option to pop up. An iPhone that is offline will display the standard removal text. It is also worth noting that repair state cannot be disabled at the current time.

Repair state is a feature that is still in development, so it might work with other devices when iOS 17.5 and its sister updates launch in May.

Article Link: iOS 17.5 Includes 'Repair State' Option That Doesn't Require Turning Off Find My for Service

 

[HeavenDynamic]

Thank you, from all the Technical Specialists at Apple.

 

[ignatius345]

Now I guess we all get to find out the super secret locations where Apple repairs things.

 

[Blackstick]

As a former Mac Genius (left 10 years ago), this was a considerable hassle even back then... and I assume is a larger one today. Good stuff.

 

[Blackstick]

Now I guess we all get to find out the super secret locations where Apple repairs things.

For the MacBooks way back when... Flextronics in Memphis and Computer Technology Solutions in Houston.

 

[TheLarkShark]

why does juli have so many iphones?

 

[memco]

Hoping this means that they will also stop asking users for passwords so they can test the repair was successful. Users should never have to disclose a password to support personnel.

 

[dreamerstree]

I almost want to be back behind the Genius Bar just to be able to experience this with a customer. Haha

 

[bigboy29]

This is a great addition!

 

[GrandMoffGoose]

This is such a nice thing for service locations! glad to see it

 

[Ramsteiner]

This may help stop all those stolen iPhones that are submitted as part of the trade-in process.

 

[Homme]

If this is also on iPadOS then it makes the iPad 6 that one extra step ahead of the iPhone 7 Plus 😁 But another cool feature the Cheap iPhone XR has that the expensive iPhone X doesn’t and never will get

But in hindsight a good feature. Never understood why find my had to be turned off for any repair though

 

[SanderEvers]

Apple becoming more open to repair. Honestly a good thing. Also good they made it so you can keep your phone protected against theft.

 

[frostrambler]

I hope Apple lets users trade in their phone with this mode. All those poor FedEx thieves will get ****ed.

 

[IDontCareLol]

Hoping this means that they will also stop asking users for passwords so they can test the repair was successful. Users should never have to disclose a password to support personnel.

This should NEVER be a thing. If needed, we always create a test account with the User in the initial appointment. I can’t speak for other stores, but at mine, we want to be as far away from your data as possible.

 

[fmillion]

Nice job copying others again, Apple.

Use Maintenance mode on your Galaxy phone or tablet

Maintenance mode on One UI 5 Galaxy devices can be used when sending in your device for repair services. It’ll hide and protect your personal data.

www.samsung.com

 

[Shirasaki]

Seems like a good addition, though I am always sceptical regarding these kind of seemingly nice features. What will be the catch after it goes live.

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

Thank you, from all the Technical Specialists at Apple.

But how does this even work? I was under the impression that they asked you to be off so they could exchange the phone. How are they gonna do that now if the phone is locked?

 

[antiprotest]

As a former Mac Genius (left 10 years ago), this was a considerable hassle even back then... and I assume is a larger one today. Good stuff.

Would you say that Apple's staff, especially those in retail stores, are much less "genius" than before? Like 5-10 years ago? That has been my experience. I have talked to some in store that sounded like they were hired off the street that same morning, with almost no training and familiarity with the products, services, settings and features. They knew even less than me and kept trying to sell me stuff while describing the products and services quite incompetently.

 

[mrbrown]

Thank you. This was so annoying when I brought my iPhone 12 mini with a 75% battery and the tech couldn’t even order the part - while the phone was in my possession after being formally diagnosed - without Find My being turned off.

Ended up just buying a new phone.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the recent appleid meltdown?

 

[rjp1]

Now I guess we all get to find out the super secret locations where Apple repairs things.

Its Radio Shack isn't it?

 

[A Hobo]

Hoping this means that they will also stop asking users for passwords so they can test the repair was successful. Users should never have to disclose a password to support personnel.

This is already not a thing; employees don’t gather passwords.

 

[svish]

Great addition. Will be useful sometimes.

 

[everybodylovesramen]

the fact this took so long to be integrated is baffling

then again - apple loves charging customers for icloud.com storage