Apple’s new move will definitely capture attention of those ‘Right to Repair’ countries and states as it has, reportedly, made repairing of iMac Pro and Macbook Pro models impossible for individuals as well as independent repair shops, depending on items being replaced.
Due to the new software limitations in place in a few of the latest Apple devices, they will become useless for the owner unless some employee at Apple, or any authorized repair center, happens to run Apple’s own diagnostic software on these computers.
The limitations have been revealed through a Motherboard report which says all the T2-equipped computers from Apple will need specific diagnostic tool to be run on them for ensuring that they could be used again. They are calling this diagnostics tool as Apple Service Toolkit 2. Remember, however, that this will be applicable only if certain parts of these Macbook Pro computers are changed – the list is quite lengthy though.
This new software lock comes into action for repairs that involve replacement of the display assembly, top case (the touchpad, keyboard, and the internal housing), logic board, and the Touch ID board of Macbook Pro. As far as iMac Pros are concerned, the software lock will take effect in case of replacement of flash storage or logic board. In these instances, the computers can start working again only after the diagnostic software is run by Apple or some of its authorized service providers.
Only the Apple employees and the authorized repairers are given access to Apple Service Toolkit 2 software. What this means is that Macbook Pro users can’t repair their devices by themselves or even get it repaired at third-party repair shops just to save a few bucks.
There are many who may consider it as a ploy from Apple to get money out of the pocket of its users, but it is quite possible that this is to ensure full security and preservation of data that is stored in the T2 chip. Apple has also applied similar tricks to iPhones as well which prevents nefarious folks from replacing the Touch ID sensors of the device with ones that can recognize their own fingerprints and give them access to the sensitive data of the users. In such instances, Apple will be preventing the replacement of hardware for accessing computers having T2 chip that is built into them.