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iFixit Confirms You Can Still Repair Your Own iMac Pro Or MacBook Pro -- At Least For Now (engadget.com)
After it was reported that proprietary diagnostic software was needed in order to replace key parts on computers equipped with Apple's T2 chip, iFixit decided to put that claim to the test by replacing a part on a brand-new 2018 MacBook Pro. They found that after pulling it apart and replacing the display, it still worked -- even without the software. Engadget reports: As they put it, any "secret repair kill switch hasn't been activated -- yet." So far, it has limited approaches that limit repairs based on security to the TouchID and FaceID sensors that require specialized software, as I noted yesterday, even though people have reported trouble with the ambient light sensor after replacing iPhone displays. While it's possible that a future software update could change things and make it require specialized software that only official Apple Stores and authorized service centers have access to, we're not there yet. Passing "right to repair" laws currently under consideration could be a big step to guaranteeing things stay that way.
The Magnuson-Moss act covers this kind of crap. By law Apple can't require only Apple branded parts or their repair shops be the only option to repair or keep a warranty in force. While Magnuson-Moss does allow for them to make certain terms be part of keeping the warranty, it expressly forbids what TFS states they are doing by requiring all repairs be done only by Apple. Further more Apple also has to prove that the repairs caused an issue in order to be able to void a warranty. Granted, this was passed in 1975 and was intended mainly for cars at the time, but as written any item over a certain dollar amount is covered. Since that dollar amount is anything over $5, I'm pretty sure that it covers anything that Apple makes that has any kind of warranty.
As you correctly stated, they can't void the warranty regarding unrelated problems because a customer used unauthorized parts. In other words, if you put in a knock-off keyboard, then later have a problem with the screen, they can't say the screen isn't warranteed because you replaced the keyboard.
Where do you see them trying to do that? The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is about warranties (hence the name). It doesn't say "manufacturers mist make it easy to repair products". It doesn't say "manufacturers must somehow make sure that knock off parts always work right". It only says that the warranty on part A can't be conditioned on using OEM part B.
Wild guess, things get tricky when you install your next OS update - expect a complaint that you're installing on 3rd party hardware. If so, expect to hand over money at an Apple store to fix it.
It'd be interesting to know what if a hacker could exploit this kill switch to ransom an Apple user.
Well, the answer is obviously "yes". The real question is "when".
Sent as ripples into the electromagnetic field. No single photon has been harmed in the process.
but as written any item over a certain dollar amount is covered. Since that dollar amount is anything over $5, I'm pretty sure that it covers anything that Apple makes that has any kind of warranty.
Apple, being Apple, "anything over $5" is 100% guaranteed to always cover absolutely everything in their inventory down to every single last SKU.
Even if Apple started producing items as simple as "single use iAss-wipes", it's going to cost at least 50$. per unit.
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