The Apple Store and Apple’s authorized repair centers will no longer carry out repairs for iPhones reported as “lost”. In fact, it seems that Apple is working on a system to alert repairers in the event that the smartphone is lost or stolen.
Apple Store blocks repairs for “lost” iPhones
When an Apple technician repairs a phone, they register the device with their account MobileGenius in the management of Apple Stores or authorized centers. According to an internal note released on Monday, the system will have to check the codes of that smartphone with those reported as lost or stolen.
Should he find a match, the technician will receive a message on his account and will refuse the repair. This should discourage the number of stolen smartphones brought in for repair.
Recognition is possible thanks to the GSMA Device Registry, a global database where they report all smartphones that customers report as lost in case of loss or theft.
Apple Stores and authorized technicians cannot repair an iPhone today if the customer who delivers it cannot disable the system Where is it or Find My iPhone. But this addition also allows you to protect customers who for one reason or another did not activate the service before loss or theft.
Remember that to activate the tracking function, you must first go to Settings, then to your profile (by selecting your photo). From here choose iCloud and then Find My.
It is currently unclear when this system will actually become in use, but it should not require any special changes to the repair center workflow. It should soon become in use.