Apple’s new iOS 11.3 update effects iPhone 8 devices with third party-repaired screens

On March 29, Apple’s latest IOS 11.3 software update was released. Unlike other updates the new IOS 11.3 was not just any ordinary update. For iPhone 8 users that have done the new update that have had their screens repaired by a third-party repair shop it has been causing their screens to stop working.

Users that have had a screen repair performed by a third party, rather than with Apple, on their iPhone 8 found that the iOS 11.3 update stopped the touchscreen from working, reports Motherboard. The recent update, introducing Apple’s promised iPhone battery health information, as well as the ability to turn off the slowing down of smartphones related to the battery following the scandal in December.

What you will notice is the screens continue to display the homescreen once updated to iOS 11.3 but the touch function has been disabled, effectively rendering the affected iPhone 8 device unusable without any warning from Apple.

“This has caused my company over 2,000 reshipments,” Aakshay Kripalani, chief executive of repair shop Injured Gadgets told Motherboard. “Customers are annoyed and it seems like Apple is doing this to prevent customers from doing third-party repair.”

With hardly any options for users effected by this update, current users in this situation have are forced into having the screen replaced again, hopefully with one that will work regardless of the iOS 11.3 update. fortunately this is not the first time a software update from Apple has caused serious problems for those opting to repair their broken smartphones at third-party shops rather than sending them to the manufacturer.

A similar thing happened for the iPhone 7 last year. An iOS update prevented the touchscreens from working on iPhone 7 models with third-party repaired screens. Apple then released a follow-up software update that made them work again, resolving the issue.

Which followed the cammotion caused by the so called Error 53, which again rendered iPhones useless if they had their home button replaced by third-party repair shops after a software update. The problem was related to the Touch ID fingerprint scanner embedded within the home button. Apple later apologised and issued a fix for the Error 53 issue.

It is becoming more evident how Apple is attempting to dominate it’s superiority and dominance in the market in all aspects. Just to think with any update that Apple can break any iPhone that have been repaired by any third-party via a software update. Resulting all Apple users to submit to  Apple’s in-store service the only viable option. With Apple devices already costing the hundreds, now they are aiming to charge premium price ranging between $160-$400 for typical repairs that can be done for half the price with the same standard of quality. Another option that Apple also offers is an insurance policy, called AppleCare+, which costs $169 for two years which covers up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee of $39 for screen damage, or $129 for any other damage, plus applicable tax.

With that in mind, if you are an Apple user what do you think about all the headache and hassle Apple is causing its everyday users and those that aim to offer a much friendlier and affordable price?