No, Apple has not yet activated any destructive Mac repair switch

Despite the hysteria generated as a result of the discovery of internal Apple repair documents, it seems that it is still possible to exchange parts on new Macs with the T2 chip.

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according to Motherboard, who reported for the first time about this, things seemed pretty terrible.

"Apple has implemented software locks that will effectively prevent third-party, unrelated repairs on MacBook Pro 2018 computers, according to Motherboard's internal Apple documents.The new system will make the computer" inoperative ", unless a proprietary "system configuration" software from Apple is executed after the replacement of some parts of the system. "

This seemed to have quite broad implications for third-party repairers:

"The software lock will take effect for any repair involving the replacement of the MacBook Pro's smart card, keypad, keypad, touchpad and internal box, as well as the Touch card. On the iMac Pros, it will start if the logic board or flash storage is replaced.The computer will only work again after Apple or a member of the vendor's repair program. Authorized Services Apple has run the diagnostic software called Apple Service Toolkit 2. "

Sounds bad, right? End of the road for repairs by third parties.

Not so fast.

Industrious people to I fix it decided to put it to the test by visiting the Apple Store to purchase a brand new 2018 MacBook Pro Touch Bar 2018 device, disassemble it and exchange the screen with a dismantling unit this summer.

After the exchange, both MacBooks worked normally.

So, despite all the smoke, there is no fire. For the moment, anyway.

Which raises the obvious question: why did Apple integrate this feature into Macs?

iFixit believes this could be a way for Apple to track serial numbers and other parts data to verify that Apple's authorized service providers are performing the repairs properly. It can also provide a way to calibrate repaired devices to ensure they are working properly.

But it's not as if Apple did not have a history of disabling repair scandals, such as Error 53, the iOS 11.3 update that was causing problems on iPhones equipped with spare displays, and Batterygate ( to name a few).

This is a considerable power exercised by Apple over its customers, and who knows when this problem will surface to bite the customers.

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