Apple Blocking Third-Party Repairs On New MacBook Pros With Diagnostics Software

Apple is using new proprietary software diagnostic tools that make it harder to conduct third-party repairs on iMac Pro and 2018 MacBook Pro.

This software ensures that if a device undergoes key part repairs from an unauthorized service provider, it will result in an “inoperative system and an incomplete repair.”

The device won’t be usable until the Apple Service Toolkit 2 is used by a member of the company’s Authorized Service Provider program.

According to Motherboard, this policy will apply to all Apple devices that have the T2 security chip, which is fitted in the 2018 MacBook Pros as well as the iMac Pros.

So if your MacBook Pro has an issue in the display assembly, keyboard, logic board, trackpad or the Touch ID board; third-party repairers won’t be able to fix it anymore. For those who own iMac Pros, the new T2 chip in it will lock the machine if you replace the logic board or flash storage.

Such measures have been presumably taken to ensure security. However, tech critics believe Apple is making its devices harder to repair so that it can control the repair market and boost the sale of new devices.

These tactics aren’t limited to just Apple. Other hardware makers are adopting similar methods and are collectively fighting to prevent the passing of “Right To Repair” laws.

If this law is passed, it will force hardware companies to make parts and instructions available to both users as well as third-party repair specialists.

As of now, 19 states in the US have proposed legislation regarding right-to-repair rules, but none of them have passed a bill that prohibits the use of proprietary diagnostic software.

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