iOS 11.3 isn't even two weeks old,Canada and it's already causing problems. Specifically, it's killing touch functionality in iPhone 8 models that have third-party screens.
Some users who have had their iPhone 8's screens replaced by shops that aren't Apple Stores or authorized retailers have been experiencing difficulty using their phones since downloading the update. Multiple retailers told Motherboard that they are able to resolve the issue, but that it requires re-opening the phone to upgrade the chip that powers the screen.
Look, we get it. If this happened to your phone, it's frustrating to the max. But it's also...a tiny bit your fault.
SEE ALSO: Zero waste iPhone? That's complete garbageTwo years ago, iOS 9.2.1 rendered Touch ID useless on older iPhones repaired by third-parties. Just a day after the news broke, Seattle-based law firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala brought a class-action lawsuit seeking five million dollars.
Apple claimed the error was meant to be a factory test that should not have affected customers, and a judge granted Apple's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The judge claimed that "the mere fact that a company has designed a product doesn't mean it automatically knows about all of that product's potential design flaws."
Following the lawsuit, Apple released an updated version of iOS 9 that restored the phones, and reimbursed customers who had paid for out-of-warranty replacements.
When it comes to iOS 11.3, it's important to remember that there's no proof yet that Apple intended to screw up your phone. Third-party retailers that aren't authorized by Apple can vary in quality, and you never know what exactly they're doing, or the quality of the materials they're putting in your device. Getting your screen replaced in a mall kiosk, rather than the Apple Store down the hall, could save you money, but it's a risk.
But even if Apple is intentionally shutting down your phone to milk you for all the money you're worth, it's hardly a secret that third-party repairs invalidate some iPhone warranties, and require other customers to pay an out-of-warranty repair cost -- and that's a term you agreed to when you purchased it.
The Right to Repair debate has been ongoing for years, and there are good arguments on both sides. It's reasonable for customers to want to be able to repair their phones themselves, but it's also reasonable for Apple to want to avoid the nightmare of a lawsuit it might face if a customer injures herself while trying to replace her screen.
But that's not what matters here. What matters is that when your iPhone has hardware in it that Apple didn't make or authorize, you run a risk of it not working with Apple's software -- regardless of whether Apple had malicious intent or not. If you're not cool with that, that's fine -- just don't buy an iPhone.
Topics Apple iPhone
Everything you need to know about Blizzard's 'Overwatch' LeagueGoogle is changing search in a big wayWith the Cubs' World Series win, Theo Epstein is the official Breaker of CursesUm, why am I being targeted with Australian antiExperience the awesome power of a rocket launch in this 360 degree videoI went to the World Series and still can't believe what I sawGermany's crackdown over online hate speech reaches Mark ZuckerbergApple slashes prices on USBRolling Stone loses defamation lawsuit over 'A Rape on Campus' articleGoogle is changing search in a big wayAndroid developers will have a new way to lure people to their appsEveryone is giving up on GoProWelcome to 2016: Here's that Ariana Grande and Stevie Wonder duetExperience the awesome power of a rocket launch in this 360 degree videoEarthworm Dave breaks records, is euthanized 'for science'Earthworm Dave breaks records, is euthanized 'for science'Meteorologist reports hell has officially frozen over after Cubs victoryRolling Stone loses defamation lawsuit over 'A Rape on Campus' articleHarvard men's soccer team kicked to curb after sex ranking scandalExperience the awesome power of a rocket launch in this 360 degree video Of course Kristen Bell makes being pregnant look like so much fun 'Silicon Valley' actor T.J. Miller accused of sexual assault Google deploys new AI tool to COVID 2021 is officially the summer we learned to say no Loki and Bart Simpson will join forces in a new Disney+ short Democrat Shelly Simonds wins Virginia race by a single vote Mom masterfully trolls her daughter, who's just trying to make a nice video 25 ethereal astronomy photos that literally light up the skies Prince George and Princess Charlotte rock colour co Drones that hunt screaming humans just want to help Elon Musk might be the only person who still loves Twitter Phoebe Waller The gloriously chaotic humor of ‘Werewolves Within’ brings it to life How to connect your PS4 controller to an iPhone TikTok deleted over 7 million accounts supposedly belonging to minors Trump has joined Disney's Hall of Presidents, and it's unsettling AF Hubble celebrates the Fourth of July with a gorgeous cosmic fireworks show How to record a Zoom meeting Facebook launches newsletter platform Bulletin You're using your air fryer all wrong