The fact that Apple disables certain iPhone features when third-party repairs are performed is well known. Apparently, however, the new iPhone 13 goes to a level that was previously unimaginable.
A classic screen replacement performed at a third-party service center and not at Apple (or one of the company’s partners) will cause the iPhone 13 to completely disable Face ID.
According to a video posted on YouTube by Phone Repair Guru, after a replacement of this type, an error indicating that the Face ID is not available appears, with a message that the system “Couldn’t check if this iPhone has an original Apple screen.”
In other words, if you don’t have an original Apple screen, the facial recognition system is disabled and your only option is to go to an Apple Store and request another screen replacement.
The good news is that Apple still allows some screen repairs without disabling iPhone functionality. However, it is still possible to install a new microphone, proximity sensor or ambient light sensor without worrying about losing functionality of the device.
Needless to say, Apple hasn’t made any statements on the whole, but it’s pretty clear from the video that this is exactly how the company plans to continue its journey. Unfortunately, the display is the element that needs to be replaced most often†