error 53 iphone 6

Wow, the amount of misinformation at the beginning of this thread and the way it devolved into bickering over semantics is truly mind-blowing. Here are some facts regarding error 53:

1. Apple does not service phones with error 53 - aftermarket parts or not. At most, all they will do is replace the device for the out of warranty replacement cost - if you're lucky.

2. Error 53 has nothing to do with security. The security aspect is implemented the moment an aftermarket home button is connected - touch ID and Apple Pay and anything else relating to the finger print reading function of the phone are disabled immediately.

3. Error 53 occurs during the restore process and is a simple verification check: "Is fingerprint scanner 'abc' there?" to which a damaged, aftermarket, nonfunctional, or even perfectly functional OEM button from another phone will either fail to respond or respond "no." This results in a failure to restore the phone, and a subsequent loss of data. No one, not Apple or anyone in the independent repair community, can get access to the data once error 53 occurs.

I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm just presenting facts as I know them. There has been a lot of attention on error 53 lately and I think it is important for consumers to know the reality of how touch ID works and how error 53 fits into the picture.

So you know more than Apple itself. Apple says it is about security. Can you point us somewhere that documents this is false?

Deggie.

Do you have an iPhone with you?

Try this, turn off you touch ID. Keep your pass code on your phone.

Now ask yourself, "Is this phone any less secure?" - The answer is NO (assuming you yourself don't go blabbering your pass code to everyone).

The evidence is physically right there in front of you, right?

Am I wrong? Is it really an added level of security? I always just though it was a bit of a gimmick. A cool gimmick, but a gimmick none the less.

Just on a side note: heard an interesting fact a few weeks ago:

The consumer electronics which Americans throw out in a year is the equivalent in weight to that of the entire population of Blue Whales.

I guess error 53 will be pushing that waste to a new level. What a fantastic move!

Yep, have it with me. If you think it is a gimmick then right off the bat your opinion is suspect. The TouchID is an integral part of security on the iPhone and has a relationship to the secure chip in the phone. It may go beyond that. Apple has the inside knowledge on that and has stated it is a security issue. Your speculation doesn't change that. If you don't believe that you should move on to another brand of phone.

They are the best smart phone. Doesn't mean I have to hold everything they do up as genius! Apple are imperfect. Just like you and me.

It is a gimmick. It's unnecessary. At best it's just a more efficient way to get into your phone and banking apps etc.. Life would go on without it. They would still be great phones without it. And they would still be secure phones without it.

I know Apple has stated that it's a security issue. I just don't buy it.

It is tied into ApplePay. I like it. I don't think it is a gimmick and I'm big on security which is why I don't have an Android device. Currently. They are more secure with it. If you don't buy it go elsewhere. I do buy what Apple says in this case and they have a lot more inside knowledge than you do. Why would any reasonable person read this and say, "Hey, I believe that SunOfRa78, he really knows what he is talking about. Those Apple employees have no clue."

I'm not really expecting to have anyone agree with me on this forum except those that already do. I just think it's important that the other side is represented.

I'm an independent repairer of consumer electronics. I've been doing it for a long time, it's what I do. I solve problems and repair electronics. Apple products probably account for 25-30% of my business. I have repaired thousands of Apple devices.

My view is based on years of experiencing Apples extreme dislike of any one other than Apple working on their devices. I see a direct correlation between that attitude and error 53. And I'm pretty certain I'm not paranoid 🙂

You may not be paranoid but you have a vested interest to not believe Apple because of your business. But the fact that you repair them does not give you any corporate insight whatsoever to the security design of the iPhone, chipsets and iOS. Only Apple would know that.

I don't know your repair site, I don't know you, I don't know your background. So I should believe you over Apple? Why?

Actually Deggie, I would prefer it if I knew this was a security issue. Then I wouldn't feel like Apple are doing such a disservice to their "customers". Because even though these customers have voided their warranty and relinquished there Out Of Warranty options, they are still Apple customers (although I think a lot will abandon ship after this).

But no matter which angle I look at it, I can't see the security angle. It sounds good. But I just don't see it.

Yes, I have a vested interest to an extent. Apples comments tarnished the independent repair community. It was a blanket statement thrown over the entire industry, even though a large majority of repairers would never replace the Touch ID, and never cause this issue.

"I don't know your repair site, I don't know you, I don't know your background. So I should believe you over Apple? Why?"

You need to come to that conclusion on your own.

The relationships between Apple, The Customer and Independent Repairers is a convoluted mess. Full of restrictions and brick walls.

I don't think it would be right to go into that in too much detail on here.

... you know what IS a good security feature. "Find My iPhone" and the iCloud lock. That has real benefits.

You still don't get it. Your not seeing the security angle does not mean it doesn't exist. And I didn't see anything that Apple said that tarnished the so-called independent repair community.

I have no means to come to any conclusion. Again, if I have a statement from an Apple official that it is a security issue and on the other hand I have a guy (assumption on my part) from the internet why in the world if I'm a stable person would I go with the guy from the internet? And where did you get your figures that a large majority of repairers would never replace or damage the Touch ID? We have a number of posts here with people saying that the 3rd party repair person replaced the Touch ID. Some returned to have the old one put back in. And if it isn't repairs doing this what is triggering the Error 53 hardware error?

I don't think this is as big as you think it is and isn't going to damage Apple like you are assuming it will. How many phones do we really have impacted by this?

The tarnishing came from implying that this will occur when taking your phone to a 3rd party.

No your totally right. It's not as big a deal as it seems. Life goes on. I'm not sure how many people are impacted... the media blows everything out of proportion don't they. In the end it's just a phone. Apple's just a corporation. And the customers are just numbers. Thanks for helping me put it into perspective. It's a beautiful day here. I think I might go for a walk.

SunOfRa78 wrote:

The tarnishing came from implying that this will occur when taking your phone to a 3rd party.

No your totally right. It's not as big a deal as it seems. Life goes on. I'm not sure how many people are impacted... the media blows everything out of proportion don't they. In the end it's just a phone. Apple's just a corporation. And the customers are just numbers. Thanks for helping me put it into perspective. It's a beautiful day here. I think I might go for a walk.

And how does a consumer know if a third-party is a competent one or not? How do they know that shop will stand behind it's work?

Is there a master website somewhere that lists all of the unauthorized service providers and ranks them somehow?

Or do it simply make more sense just to go to an actual AASP?

locate.apple.com

That's a great question. There is a new organization, repair.*** with a mission of helping answer this exact question for everyone.

In general, everyone has to make their own decision. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. AASPs are very limited in the repairs that they can do compared to independent repair. In general, every town has a mix of competent shops and "pizza techs" You identify the competent independent shops the same way you identify the competent service providers for all your other needs. Read reviews, talk to your neighbors, and judge a shop by its warranty service and local reputation.

It is a myth that independent repair in inherently risky or bad.

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Not nearly as regulated as auto repair shops; but then you aren't driving your iPhone

on the freeway, although some use them to keep distracted from realities while there.

The idea to be involved in the Apple training, & consulting, to be proficient with them,

is likely a better means to gain credible foothold in the business model they're using.

Good luck in regard to this matter! 🙂