According to a new report, Apple is preparing a major change to the Face ID repair process for the iPhone XS and later. This change will allow Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers to repair Face ID without having to replace the entire iPhone.
As MacRumors reported, Apple announced this change in an internal memo to employees. The company is giving authorized service technicians access to a new "TrueDepth Camera Service Part," which consists of the Face ID and front-facing camera modules. This part allows service providers to perform "same-unit repairs" for Face ID issues. This means that if the Face ID module on your iPhone XS or later fails, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can now replace just that module without having to replace the entire iPhone. This is an important change, because previously, if the Face ID module failed, the entire device had to be replaced.
Apple wants to make Face ID repair more efficient
This innovation comes after Apple announced last year that the rear glass on select iPhone 12 models can be repaired without replacing the entire device. From an environmental perspective, the ability to make repairs more modular means Apple produces much less waste than if it had to replace an entire device because of a single defective part. It also means users won't lose data or have to struggle with setting up a new iPhone just because a single part is defective. It remains unknown when exactly this new Face ID repair process will be rolled out to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers. The company is currently telling technicians that documentation and training for this process "will be made available at a later date." (Photo by Jshanebutt / Bigstockphoto)