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Part pairing

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Revision as of 21:32, 16 August 2025 by Jawar (talk | contribs) (Created this article to the best of my ability—undoubtedly needs revision and expansion.)
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Part pairing is a practice in which manufacturers serialize individual components to effectively mandate the use of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and approved technicians for repairs. By monitoring the serial numbers associated with each component, device functionality can be disabled if a third-party part or non-approved repair is detected.[1][2]

How it works[edit | edit source]

Some components can contain a small device known as a microcontroller. These microcontrollers can store and communicate information between the component and the device's motherboard, including a unique serial number associated with the original component. If the motherboard receives an unrecognized serial number, such as from a replacement part, some devices are designed to disable certain functionality or display persistent error messages.[3] This can occur even if the replacement part is an identical and original component.[4]

Consumers are often encouraged to seek repairs directly from the manufacturer or approved technicians by limiting access to the tools, parts, and information necessary to avoid error messages or loss of functionality.[3][5][6]

Why it is a problem[edit | edit source]

  1. Since replacement parts and unapproved repairs can cause the device to disable certain features, consumers are left with little choice but to have their devices repaired by the manufacturer, which is not only frustrating for consumers, but can often be much more expensive than if they had simply gone to an independent repair shop.[3][7]
  2. Part pairing also impacts independent repair shops, who find it difficult to retain customers and compete with manufacturers. Independent shops must order parts directly from the manufacturer for specific repairs, which can cause long wait times and inconvenience customers.[5][6]
  3. Part Pairing can also have significant environmental ramifications. Barriers to repair and refurbishing can contribute to increased E-Waste and pollution.[8][9]

Examples[edit | edit source]

Some examples of part pairing include:

  • iPhone disabling features such as fingerprint scanning, FaceID, and battery health information; and displaying persistent error messages after repairs.[2][3][10]
  • Microsoft pairing the Xbox One's disk reader to its motherboard, meaning a broken disk drive must be repaired by Microsoft directly.[3]
  • John Deere using part pairing to restrict farmers' ability to repair farm equipment. [11]

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Definition of parts pairing". PCMag. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Khalid, Amrita (14 Nov 2023). "Right-to-repair advocates are asking the FTC for stronger rules". The Verge. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Greenlee, Lauren (17 Jan 2023). "How Parts Pairing Kills Independent Repair". IFixit. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  4. ↑ "Nouvelle plainte de HOP contre Apple pour obsolescence programmée et entraves à la réparation (New complaint from HOP against Apple for planned obsolescence and obstruction of repairs)". HOP. 7 Dec 2022. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Stone, Maddie (30 Jan 2024). "Apple uses software to control how phones get fixed. Lawmakers are pushing back". Grist. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mikolajczak, Chloé (6 Aug 2021). "Part pairing: a major threat to independent repair". The Right to Repair Europe coalition. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  7. ↑ St. John, Allen (7 May 2021). "Manufacturers Are Making Repairs Too Hard for Consumers, FTC Says". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  8. ↑ "Plainte contre Apple : le Procureur de la République ouvre l'enquête (Complaint against Apple: the Public Prosecutor opens the investigation)". HOP. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  9. ↑ "Why Refurbished Electronics Are the Key to Sustainable Technology". Comprenew. 4 Mar 2022. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  10. ↑ Gallagher, William (13 Nov 2023). "Apple's iPhone parts pairing is making the company billions". Apple Insider. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
  11. ↑ Jitchotvisut, Janaki (22 Jan 2025). "The Feds Just Sued a Major OEM Over Right to Repair, Is It A Big Deal?". RideApart. Retrieved 16 Aug 2025.
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