A Face ID fail isn’t going to get you a new iPhone anymore. Apple has begun distributing the components that its own in-store technicians and authorized service providers need to fix Face ID faults without replacing an entire device.
The cost of the repair depends on the service provider, location, and iPhone model, according to one report. And it is only available for iPhone XS or later, with iPhone X — the first to ship with Face ID — left out in the cold.
Apple now fixes Face ID failures
A leaked memo distributed to Apple stores and the company’s third-party repair partners last week revealed Apple’s plans to start fixing Face ID issues. Until now, a Face ID fault meant having to swap your iPhone for a new one.
While that’s a somewhat exciting prospect for some iPhone owners — especially if their existing handset is a little worse for wear — getting a new device can be a rather troublesome process when it comes to transferring all your data.
It can also mean a much more expensive repair, and it’s not great on the environment. But you shouldn’t to worry about that when you encounter Face ID issues in the future, according to a new MacRumors report.
Some countries left out
“Apple said it has begun to send out those parts to authorized service providers and Apple Stores, allowing for Face ID repairs without whole-unit replacement,” reads the report, citing a second memo issued by Apple.
“Repair prices will vary depending on the service provider, location, and device. The new repair option is available only for the iPhone XS and later.” It should also be noted that Face ID repairs aren’t available in a long list of regions.
Those regions are: Argentina, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
It’s not yet clear when the program will expand.
