You can still repair new MacBooks and iMacs yourself. The software lock is not yet active

At the end of last week, information appeared on the web that Apple has implemented a special software lock in the new MacBooks and iMac Pros, which will lock the device in case of essentially any service intervention. Unlocking is then possible only through the official diagnostic tool, which only official Apple services and certified service centers have. Over the weekend, it turned out that this report was not entirely true, although a similar system exists and is found in devices. It's just not active yet.

Following the above report, the American iFixit, who is famous for publishing how-to guides for home/home improvement of consumer electronics, set out to test the truth of this claim. For testing, they decided to replace the display and motherboard of this year's MacBook Pro. As it turned out after the replacement and reassembly, there is no active software lock, as the MacBook booted up as usual after the service. For all of last week's controversy, iFixit has its own explanation.

Considering the above, it might seem that there is no special software installed in the new ones, and their repair is possible to the same extent as it was until now. However, iFixit technicians have another explanation. According to them, some kind of internal mechanism may be active and its only function may be to monitor the handling of components. In case of unauthorized repair/replacement of some components, the device may continue to function normally, but official (and only available for Apple) diagnostic tools may show that the hardware has been tampered with in any way, even if original components are used. The aforementioned diagnostic tool should ensure that the newly installed device components are "accepted" as original and will not report unauthorized hardware changes.

 

In the end, it can only be a tool that Apple wants to control the flow and use of original spare parts. In another case, it can also be a tool that detects unauthorized interventions in hardware in case of any other problems, especially in connection with trying to claim a warranty/post-warranty repair. Apple has not yet commented on the whole case.