Apple no longer repairing devices that are flagged as stolen (including in South Africa)

According to an internal memo acquired by MacRumors, Apple has stopped repairing iPhones flagged through the GSMA device registry. This is a database of device serial numbers containing the status of all mobile devices on behalf of the mobile industry.  

Apple repair technicians have been instructed to deny repairs of any device flagged as missing or stolen through the MobileGenius or GSX systems that Apple iStores use. Stuff was able to confirm this with local representatives.

New rules worldwide

Speaking to the Johannesburg iStore, Stuff was assured that the new policy has been adopted by all iStores and registered repair centres in South Africa too. You needn’t be worried about your iPhone being traded in or fixed if it’s gone missing. Phew. Well, provided you locked down your phone first. 

The policy is an addition to the existing company policy barring Apple repair centres from unlocking a customer’s device without proof of purchase. It’s quite a simple process to initiate but requires owners to do a little work. Upon putting a lost device into Lock Mode on the Find My app, service will be refused to the missing device, if and when it turns up. Its original owner will also be contacted by the store in question immediately. 

While the new addition feels a little late, it’s good to see Apple taking more of an interest in their customers’ devices. Anything that results in stolen smartphones being a less attractive proposition is probably worth having.  

Source: MacRumors