Apple Says Some iPhone 12 Hardware Issues Will No Longer Require Replacing the Entire Device

by

Apple today informed Apple Authorized Service Providers that it will be introducing a new same-unit repair method for iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 models exhibiting certain issues that would typically require a whole-unit replacement.

iphone 12 blue aluminum
In an internal memo, obtained by MacRumors, Apple said technicians will be able to offer same-unit repairs starting February 23 for iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 models that are unable to be powered on or are experiencing issues with the logic board, Face ID system, or the enclosure of the device, such as cracked rear glass.

Apple Authorized Service Providers (and likely Genius Bars) will have a new "iPhone Rear System" part available to them that consists of the rear enclosure of an iPhone with all components except the display and rear camera, including the battery, logic board, wireless charging coil, Taptic Engine, Face ID system, and so forth.

If a customer has an iPhone 12 mini with cracked rear glass, for example, technicians will be able to replace the entire rear portion of the device, with the new enclosure affixed to the original display and rear camera. For this reason, the customer's display and rear camera must be free of damage or functional failures in order for their device to qualify for this same-unit repair method, according to Apple.

The new repair method will be available in all countries and regions where the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 are sold, according to Apple. iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models do not appear to be eligible at this time.

In its memo, Apple said this move supports the company's ongoing commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of every product it sells.

Tag: Apple Authorized Service Providers
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

farewelwilliams Avatar
farewelwilliams
37 months ago
Apple Says Some iPhone 12 Hardware Issues Will No Longer Require Losing Big Margins on Device.

fixed the title.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikeyy00 Avatar
mikeyy00
37 months ago
Apple is seemingly going the repair-all-the-things route vs outright swaps like they used to do.

I had a two day old 12mini, kept rebooting on it's own and not-detecting the sim card. Brought into the local Apple Store, was told "oh sorry, we have to send it to depot".

Eff that, it's two days old. I want a swap. Nope, told to pound sand.

If I wanted depot repair service, I'd buy a Samsung.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghanwani Avatar
ghanwani
37 months ago

Apple is seemingly going the repair-all-the-things route vs outright swaps like they used to do.

I had a two day old 12mini, kept rebooting on it's own and not-detecting the sim card. Brought into the local Apple Store, was told "oh sorry, we have to send it to depot".

Eff that, it's two days old. I want a swap. Nope, told to pound sand.

If I wanted depot repair service, I'd buy a Samsung.
Could you not return it?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikeyy00 Avatar
mikeyy00
37 months ago

Could you not return it?
No, carrier didn't have stock for 3 weeks. Ended up getting on the phone to Apple, who agreed to mail me a replacement, provided I fronted the cost on a credit card which they'd refund once they received my old one back.

Yes, better than a kick in the arse.. but not the type of support I've historically gotten from Apple.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
Apple_Robert
37 months ago

I dropped my 12 mini ONCE a week after I got it and it cracked the wide angle lens. $429 after tax. Credit card insurance covered it but this is not the "4x more durable" I signed up for. ...screen was fine though
Apple has never advertised the screen as crack proof. I don't know why you would think otherwise.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Psychicbob Avatar
Psychicbob
37 months ago
I’m never buying from a carrier again. Did that with the 11 Pro and had an issue with dropped calls almost immediately. Spent the next 6 months having Apple blame carrier and carrier blame Apple. 3rd unit in, it turned out to be carrier. Not going to run the risk of being ping-ponged between 2 companies again.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
Read Full Article
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 With Security Fixes

Thursday November 30, 2023 10:12 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2, small updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems that Apple introduced in September. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 come a few weeks after the release of iOS 17.1.1, another bug fix update. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update....
Read Full Article • 91 comments
iOS 17

28 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in December's iOS 17.2 Update

Friday December 1, 2023 2:57 am PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen three more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 28 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released this December. 1. Help...
Read Full Article • 153 comments
apple card 1

Apple Ending Apple Card Partnership With Goldman Sachs

Tuesday November 28, 2023 3:09 pm PST by
Apple is ending its credit card partnership with Goldman Sachs, according to The Wall Street Journal. Apple plans to stop working with Goldman Sachs in the next 12 to 15 months, and it is not yet clear if Apple has established a new partnership for the Apple Card. Apple and Goldman Sachs will dissolve their entire consumer partnership, including the Apple Card and the Apple Savings account....
Read Full Article • 449 comments
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.2 Beta 4

Tuesday November 28, 2023 12:18 pm PST by
Apple is wrapping up development on iOS 17.2, with the update expected to come out in December. While we're getting to the end of the beta testing period, Apple is still tweaking features and adding new functionality. We've rounded up everything new in the fourth beta of iOS 17.2. Default Notification Sound Under Sounds & Haptics, there's a new "Default Alerts" section that allows you to ...
Read Full Article • 39 comments
iPhone 16 Mock Header Updated 1

iPhone 16 to Include Action Button Across Entire Lineup

Thursday November 30, 2023 4:08 pm PST by
The release of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max saw the introduction of an entirely new user-configurable button known as the Action button, and now, MacRumors has seen extensive evidence confirming Apple is planning to include the Action button on the entire iPhone 16 range. Designs and plans for the Action button date back to at least 2021, as the button was intended for release alongside hapt...
Read Full Article • 116 comments
anker new xmas

Anker's Cyber Week Sale Enters Final Days With Up to 60% Off Sitewide

Friday December 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST by
Anker's Black Friday/Cyber Week event is entering its final days this weekend, and it's still offering up to 60 percent off sitewide. There are also a few "mystery boxes" that can include hundreds of dollars in savings, if you're willing to risk not knowing what you're buying ahead of time. All of these sales will end on December 3. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Anker. When you...
Read Full Article • 15 comments
paramount plus logo

Apple and Paramount Considering Discounted TV+ Streaming Bundle

Friday December 1, 2023 4:40 am PST by
Apple and Paramount have discussed bundling their TV streaming services at a discount, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. The companies have talked about offering a combination of Paramount+ and Apple TV+ that would cost less than subscribing to both services separately, according to people familiar with the discussions. The discussions are in their early stages, and it is ...
Read Full Article • 104 comments
General Apps Messages

Green Bubbles on iPhone to Gain These 7 New Features Next Year

Thursday November 30, 2023 9:00 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple announced that it will finally support RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting later next year. This change will result in several improvements to the messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices. RCS will become the new default standard for messaging between iPhones and Android devices, but these conversations will still have green bubbles like...
Read Full Article