Apple says future update will prevent third-party iPhone 13 screen repairs from disabling Face ID
As it stands currently, iPhone 13 screen repairs conducted anywhere other than an Apple Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider such as an independent third-party phone store or at home disable Face ID by default due to display serial number logging, essentially killing one of the main features used to unlock the device by scanning the user’s face.
Following a report from iFixit last week that outlined how independent repair stores are unable to replace iPhone 13 displays without disabling Face ID due to a small microcontroller from the original screen, Apple has issued a statement to The Verge on Wednesday, saying that a software update is on the way that will make third-party display swaps easier.
According to the statement, the update will change the way the iPhone handles screen repairs, dropping the requirement for the microcontroller to be transferred during a screen replacement, thus enabling Face ID when a new display is installed.
Apple didn’t specify exactly when the software update will arrive.