Apple will no longer repair iPhones marked as missing

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

According to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors, Apple Stores and authorized service providers will no longer repair phones that have been reported missing. The company now requires repair technicians to deny a repair to users if they are notified of its missing status in the MobileGenius or GSX systems they use to service customers.

The device serial numbers are in the device registry. If someone reports their phone as stolen to law enforcement, the authorities can flag the device through the Global System for Mobile Communications, which can help repair providers identify a missing device.

Apple's new policy is designed to prevent its repair providers from fixing phones that are not theirs. The existing rules bar technicians from removing a device's activation lock unless the customer can provide proof that they purchased it. If users put their device in Lost Mode through the Find My app, Apple will refuse to perform a repair.

The company hasn't publicly confirmed the findings. The Verge reached out to Apple, but didn't hear back.