iPhones Will Get More Third-Party Screen and Battery Support This Year

Apple doesn't fully trust any third-party parts used to repair its iPhones, but it's adding more support for screens and batteries that don't come from Apple anyway. That's according to a new paper Apple published this week, which presents the iPhone maker as environmentally aware but still very cautious about third-party components.

Later this year, iPhones with third-party screen replacements will be able to activate True Tone, which alters display colors with a tint depending on environmental lighting.

"Apple disables the True Tone feature when third-party displays are used, but enables all other aspects of the display," the company's paper explains, stating that third-party devices could not be calibrated well enough until now to enable it. "In an effort to offer more complete support for third-party parts, starting later in 2024, Apple will allow consumers to activate True Tone with third-party parts to the best performance that can be provided."

Apple can disable software features when hardware changes because it enforces what it calls a "parts pairing" policy. But that may become less tenable as states like Oregon adopt right-to-repair bills that ban parts pairing.

Apple says it will loosen some of these restrictions to allow customers to recycle authentic parts. For example, you'll be able to pull an Apple-made battery from one iPhone and put it into another. You also won't have to share an iPhone's serial number to buy new parts through Apple.

Apple still doesn't like third-party batteries, however. It argues they can be dangerous and lead to hardware melting or fires, citing a study that found that 88% of third-party batteries tested caught fire or exploded in at least one test. Despite this, iPhones with aftermarket batteries will display some battery stats, like max capacity and cycle count, later this year, but Apple will also add text to note when it's unable to verify such third-party information.

Recommended by Our Editors

Full Service or DIY? The Best Ways to Get Your Phone Repaired

Have a Terrible Electronics Repair Experience? The FTC Wants to Know

How to Remove (and Restore) Built-In iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch Apps

Apple is also getting more granular about stolen devices. The company says it will be able to track and mark individual parts from devices marked as stolen or lost through its Activation Lock feature, so it won't be as easy for thieves to dismantle and sell iPhones for parts.

Apple's move to increase iPhone repairability could mean longer lifespans for phones—and more options for those who want to avoid its upcoming AI features by sticking with an older device.

Apple Recap: WWDC 2024 in 20 Minutes