The tech giant Apple is elevating device security with the introduction of an activation lock for iPhone parts in its latest iOS 18 update. This innovative feature will roll out later this year. The activation lock is integrated into individual components of the iPhone to enhance protection against theft and unauthorized repairs.
Previously, activation lock was limited to the device as a whole, which made it challenging to track or secure individual parts if they were replaced. With iOS 18, each component will now have its own unique identifier linked to the device’s Apple ID.
Apple elucidated the change in April as follows:
“Apple will also extend its popular Activation Lock feature to iPhone parts in order to deter stolen iPhones from being disassembled for parts. Requested by customers and law enforcement officials, the feature was designed to limit iPhone theft by blocking a lost or stolen iPhone from being reactivated. If a device under repair detects that a supported part was obtained from another device with Activation Lock or Lost Mode enabled, calibration capabilities for that part will be restricted.”
This move not only bolsters the security of iPhones but also underscores Apple’s commitment to protecting users’s data and enhancing the integrity of its hardware. Apple’s new feature is a proactive step towards ensuring that every part of an iPhone remains secure and accountable.