The new iPhone 13 series from Apple may include many new features, but it has a significant limitation that makes it much harder for independent repair shops to replace broken screens. If you try to change the screen, Face ID simply does not work. In short, if you do not know how to perform micro‑soldering and successfully move a tiny microcontroller from the original screen to a new one, then you cannot make the change.
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This makes a very common replacement much more difficult for independent repair shops that may rely on screen repairs as a significant part of their business. Authorized Apple stores apparently don't face the same problem, as they have access to software that "can make an iPhone 13 accepta new screen with a few clicks," according to iFixit. However, many indie shops are not part of Apple's official Independent Repair Provider , leaving them to try to find a way to repair iPhone screens themselves.
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In the video below, the repair process of an iPhone 13 screen is shown. The repair is a multi‑stage process that appears to take some time and requires special equipment. And it is almost certainly impossible for most iPhone owners to try it themselves.
Apple has consistently discouraged people from getting repairs done by independent shops, with ominous warnings appearing after battery changes and screen replacements on some iPhones. But the situation with the Face ID on an iPhone 13 means people who want to get their screen repaired don't have many options.
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An authorized repair can be expensive, as can the payment for AppleCare Plus for reduced screen repair prices. But when alternatives include finding an independent store that has the capability to perform the delicate microcontroller replacement, screen replacement but at the cost of breaking Face ID, paying for an authorized repair can be the best choice, even if it's the worst for your wallet.
