Apple will no longer repair iPhones marked as lost or stolen
India Today
Apple has updated its repair policy to deny repair for an iPhone that has been marked as lost or stolen in the GSMA Device Registry database.
Apple will no longer repair iPhones that have been reported lost or stolen in the GSMA Device Registry. This means that Apple Store employees and Apple Authorized Service Providers will deny repairs to users who bring in an iPhone that has been marked missing in the MobileGenius or GSX systems that they use to offer services to customers.
An internal memo sent by Apple to all its employees working in Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers, obtained by MacRumors, outlines that the company will now use the GSMA Device Registry database to check if an iPhone is marked as lost before continuing with the repair process. If the database and company’s internal systems show an iPhone “reported as missing”, the technicians must deny the repair.
This is not new but an extension to Apple’s existing policy under which it does not provide repairs for lost or stolen devices. However, this is applicable to iPhone devices that have the Find My feature enabled. The new restriction will include iPhones that have the Find My tracking disabled to curb the sales of stolen iPhones. The iPhone devices with Find My enabled will still remain ineligible for repair.
What is the GSMA Device Registry?
The GSMA Device Registry, which Apple will use to determine the exact status of the iPhone brought in for repair, is a global database of device serial numbers with information on whether a device was lost or stolen. For example, if you report your phone as stolen, the police may mark your device as stolen in this database. Mobile phone companies use this data along with a device’s IMEI number to check the accurate status of the device.
Apple’s new policy is aimed at preventing stolen iPhone devices from being replaced with new ones. But there is an exception. If you are able to provide proof of purchase, technicians might consider your iPhone for repair. This proof could be the receipt or the bill that you were given after the purchase. In the absence of proof, Apple must deny repairs to you even if your iPhone is in the warranty period.
If you ever lose your iPhone, you can mark it as a lost device using the Find My service. You just need to use your Apple account to sign in and pick the device that is no longer with you. Apple will immediately update its network, so when someone who stole your iPhone brings it to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for repair, the technicians will not repair it.
