The announcement comes shortly after Oregon passed a repair bill banning parts pairing, which involves software locks on devices that reject non-Apple parts. Apple states that it has been working for two years to enable the reuse of biometric sensors and other parts, and select iPhone models this fall will support this new policy.

Apple acknowledges that parts pairing is important for preserving the privacy, security, and safety of an iPhone. However, the company's updated repair program aims to offer customers more options while increasing product longevity and minimizing environmental impact. By incorporating biometric sensors and moving part calibration onto the iPhone itself, Apple seeks to extend the life of its products and their components.

Additionally, Apple has announced that the Parts and Service history of iPhones will now indicate whether replaced parts are new or used Genuine Apple parts. While aftermarket parts are not mentioned in the announcement, it can be assumed that they will continue to be labeled as "Unknown Parts."

The activation lock feature, which has often hindered repair and refurbishment efforts, has been expanded to the parts themselves. If a device detects that a part came from a device with activation lock or lost mode enabled, it will prevent that part from being calibrated. This feature aims to deter the use of stolen parts in repairs.

The move by Apple is seen as a response to the progress of Right to Repair legislation, with bills in both Oregon and Colorado gaining traction. Apple's new policy is considered a middle ground, using software locks to make stolen parts less valuable or worthless while allowing genuine salvaged parts to be functional. However, there are concerns that neglecting to deactivate activation lock could render discarded devices mostly useless, even for parts.

Nathan Proctor, the senior director of PIRG's right to repair campaign, attributes Apple's change in policy to the efforts of state lawmakers and the collective advocacy of repair advocates. CEO of iFixit, Kyle Wiens, sees Apple's announcement as a strategy to deflect further laws banning parts pairing entirely and believes that aftermarket parts are still being restricted by Apple.

Apple has not provided further comments on the announcement at this time.