Apple's Parts-Pairing Software Faces Pushback as States Weigh Bans

A Common Repair Becomes Complicated

Independent repair shop owner Romain Godin, who runs Hyperion Computerworks in Portland, Oregon, says a once-simple job — replacing a cracked iPhone screen — has become a hard sell to customers. Apple requires replacement parts, including screens and batteries, to be "paired" with a device using its proprietary System Configuration software. Without this pairing, phones display repeated warnings that a part is unrecognized and lose features such as True Tone, which adjusts display color based on ambient light.

Godin says customers frequently decline repairs once he explains the warnings and functionality loss they may encounter, costing his business work.

Lobbying in State Legislatures

As states have advanced right-to-repair legislation, Apple and allied trade groups have reportedly pushed to limit provisions targeting parts pairing specifically. In New York, the trade association TechNet, which counts Apple as a member, requested that language interfering with Apple's parts-pairing system be removed from that state's right-to-repair bill before passage.

In California, Apple took part in negotiations over the final text of the state's right-to-repair law. According to a state senate staffer involved in those talks, Apple declined to add explicit anti-parts-pairing language when asked by other coalition members, instead holding to the terms of an earlier agreement.

Minnesota's right-to-repair law goes further, barring manufacturers from requiring that parts be "registered, paired with, or approved" before becoming operational. However, advocates including Repair.org's Gay Gordon-Byrne have raised concerns that the law's wording may contain loopholes that could allow companies to argue their software restrictions don't violate the statute.

A Divide Among Tech Companies

Oregon lawmakers are now considering a bill with more explicit language banning parts pairing that reduces device functionality or triggers misleading warnings. Google has voiced public support for the Oregon legislation, a notable contrast to Apple's approach. According to Colorado state representative Brianna Titone, Apple has asked her to permit parts pairing in a right-to-repair bill she is sponsoring in that state.