cschai

Q: Apple center bricks my phone

I replaced my iphone 6 screen myself. After the replacement, everything is functioning except Touch ID.

 

I sent my phone to Apple center, hoped that they could fix my Touch ID issue.

 

At the end I was charged on unauthorized modification and my phone was bricked with error 53.

 

Does Apple has the right to brick my phone?

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Feb 7, 2016 3:45 PM

Close

Q: Apple center bricks my phone

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Page 1 of 4 last Next
  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Feb 7, 2016 4:59 PM in response to cschai
    Level 9 (59,389 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 7, 2016 4:59 PM in response to cschai

    cschai wrote:

     

    I replaced my iphone 6 screen myself. After the replacement, everything is functioning except Touch ID.

     

    I sent my phone to Apple center, hoped that they could fix my Touch ID issue.

     

    At the end I was charged on unauthorized modification and my phone was bricked with error 53.

     

    Does Apple has the right to brick my phone?

    Actually, the problem originated when you did an unauthorized repair.

     

    Read this post by forum member Lawrence Finch:

     

    In this particular case Apple HAS issued an official statement, made to several press outlets:

     

    "We take customer security very seriously and Error 53 is the result of security checks designed to protect our customers," the company said. "iOS checks that the Touch ID sensor in your iPhone or iPad correctly matches your device's other components. If iOS finds a mismatch, the check fails and Touch ID, including for Apple Pay use, is disabled. This security measure is necessary to protect your device and prevent a fraudulent Touch ID sensor from being used. If a customer encounters Error 53, we encourage them to contact Apple Support.


    You can find this, along with a more detailed explanation, at http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/02/05/apple-acknowledges-error-53-glitch-say s-its-part-of-touch-id-security

  • by mendonipadrehab,

    mendonipadrehab mendonipadrehab Feb 7, 2016 5:14 PM in response to cschai
    Level 2 (182 points)
    Feb 7, 2016 5:14 PM in response to cschai

    Oh man that is awful.  Of course you have every right to repair your device.  You can hope that it is just a torn long flex which can still be repaired and clear error 53.  If it is damage to the button itself or the button flex, then right now there is no solution. 

     

    <Edited by Host>

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Feb 7, 2016 5:30 PM in response to mendonipadrehab
    Level 8 (38,147 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 7, 2016 5:30 PM in response to mendonipadrehab

    Perhaps you have every right, but you also have the right to make a mistake doing the repair, which is most likely what happened. And, while you have the right to repair the phone yourself, Apple has the right to refuse to provide support for phones that have been repaired by an unauthorized party.

  • by mendonipadrehab,

    mendonipadrehab mendonipadrehab Feb 7, 2016 6:06 PM in response to Lawrence Finch
    Level 2 (182 points)
    Feb 7, 2016 6:06 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

    Refuse to provide support is one thing, but do they have the right to brick his phone without his consent?
    Apple claims that they are aware that the lack of a functioning fingerprint sensor will brick a phone with error 53.   To initiate the restore without his consent, knowing that it would brick the phone----that is inexcusable, and wrong.

     

    It would be appropriate to send the phone back and say "sorry we can't help you" but to brick his phone?  No.

  • by cschai,

    cschai cschai Feb 7, 2016 8:55 PM in response to Lawrence Finch
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2016 8:55 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

    Yes, I understand Apple has the right to refuse provide support for the phones that had been repaired by unauthorized party and I accept that too. That is why when they charged me on that, I am willing to pay.

     

    But what I handed them was a working phone (except Touch ID), can Apple just brick it and returned me with a dead one?

     

    And they never explain to me they brick my phone, when I got my phone from them, I thought it was still be in the same condition I left for them. Until I got back home, only I found out I could not even turn my phone on.

     

    Now I am back to my hometown for Chinese New Year. I will need to wait for a week before I go back the Apple cneter and look for them.

  • by cschai,

    cschai cschai Feb 7, 2016 8:58 PM in response to mendonipadrehab
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2016 8:58 PM in response to mendonipadrehab

    What should I do? I need to spend anothet huge amount to buy a new one? That is terrible.

  • by mendonipadrehab,

    mendonipadrehab mendonipadrehab Feb 8, 2016 3:49 PM in response to cschai
    Level 2 (182 points)
    Feb 8, 2016 3:49 PM in response to cschai

    I would contact ********.

     

    <Personal Information Edited by Host>

  • by cschai,

    cschai cschai Feb 7, 2016 9:19 PM in response to mendonipadrehab
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2016 9:19 PM in response to mendonipadrehab

    Thanks

  • by KC7GNM,

    KC7GNM KC7GNM Feb 8, 2016 6:15 AM in response to mendonipadrehab
    Level 4 (2,893 points)
    Feb 8, 2016 6:15 AM in response to mendonipadrehab

    mendonipadrehab wrote:

     

    Open it back up and see if you can see where the damage is.  If is it just the long flex, then you can replace that and error 53 will clear.
    If it is damage to the home button flex itself, then it too can be repaired if it is not torn too horribly.  There are plenty of microsolderers out that that can help you.  I would contact Rany S in Lebanon.

    Won't work. The error 53 can only be cleared by apple and because he voided his warranty and did the repair himself then he is out of luck. Stop giving bad advice.

     

    <Personal Information Edited by Host>

  • by deggie,

    deggie deggie Feb 8, 2016 4:36 PM in response to cschai
    Level 9 (54,686 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 8, 2016 4:36 PM in response to cschai

    I would suggest you call Apple Customer Service and speak with them. One source says that they may allow you to do an out-of-warranty replacement of the phone.

  • by Jimaymay,

    Jimaymay Jimaymay Feb 13, 2016 12:15 AM in response to KC7GNM
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2016 12:15 AM in response to KC7GNM

    Not true at all. Error 53 can be fixed. As long as original home button has no damage, or actually touch ID has no damage. I got iPhone 6 in for a screen replacement and while attempting to power the phone. Guess what screen i got? If you guessed connect to itunes, you win a headache. I was about to tell the customer she was done for. She said phone is out of warranty. Well then then, i told her i will take a look thinking that the home button will be damaged. No damage at all. Just a bit of liquid damage ONLY at the home button connection at top of the board and a filter was not making connection.

     

    I fixed this phone when Apple can't/won't since out of warranty. The myth of error 53 needs to be explained. It is not related to home button, but ONLY Touch ID. The device i fixed did not have home button function(customer did not care leaving for out of town). If touch ID ever fails on your phone, run to Apple store. Yes, that is right, an independent store owner send people to Apple store all the time.

     

    The other people need to stop posting that only Apple can fix certain things. Provide a solution and options for the people that have an issue. Stop being mean. I see more hatred then help.

     

    My goal is to help people. That is my entire life. Seeing the face of the lady that has her phone working and not having to pay $300 for out of warranty. You should see that face. Also the screen replacement was a swap from an original iPhone 6 before any lame attempt to call my shop using bad parts or anything else. I also provide a better warranty on my repair than apple on a new device.

     

    There are BAD repair shops for certain, but lets identify the good ones for those cases that Apple store is not an option for the customer. Even if it will void Apple warranty. We all need to think about the customer first. This is a help forum, so let us all get together and find a best solution for the customers in need. I will for certain try my best and be 100% honest.

  • by ckuan,

    ckuan ckuan Feb 13, 2016 12:25 AM in response to Jimaymay
    Level 7 (34,131 points)
    Feb 13, 2016 12:25 AM in response to Jimaymay

    Stop advertising, if you want business go somewhere else.

  • by Jimaymay,

    Jimaymay Jimaymay Feb 13, 2016 12:39 AM in response to ckuan
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2016 12:39 AM in response to ckuan

    Not advertising at all. I am just saying that a solution should be provided for customers in need. I didn't post a website, or say "contact me".

     

    If somebody has a problem, i am going to provide a solution to that problem. Many times, it is NOT me. I am 100% ok with that. Telling somebody there is no hope, but there is.... That is just bad advice. I understand policy, but those few customers that need data that could not be backed up in time(for whatever reason). That data is important to them, not just getting a new device. It is all about the customer and what they want for me. I am a super small business, if i have unhappy customers, i am done.

     

    I send many customers to Apple store. There are times that the Apple store can't help them though. I am just trying to help when Apple can't.

  • by Crittie,

    Crittie Crittie Feb 13, 2016 5:15 AM in response to ckuan
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2016 5:15 AM in response to ckuan

    It is my understanding that this is a 'support community' - It looks to me as though there are people here with experience in repairs offering an above average level of support (voluntarily might I add) and they are being treated like crap by others that think they know more than they actually do. If you don't like the support being offered, ignore it and use an alternative method.

Page 1 of 4 last Next