Apple's anti-repair and anti-refurbishment practices - Revision history

Bananabot: Re-archived 1 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-22T21:46:41Z

Re-archived 1 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:46, 22 February 2026
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	Most contemporary Apple devices do not have upgradeable or replaceable storage and memory.		Most contemporary Apple devices do not have upgradeable or replaceable storage and memory.

	Apple sells many of their base models with storage and memory specifications that are well below the industry average, despite the memory having to do double duty as both main memory and graphics card memory<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Simon \|first=Michael \|date=2023-11-08 \|title=Apple defends 8GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro as ‘analogous to 16GB’ in a PC \|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/~~dybyp~~ \|archive-date=~~7 Jan~~ 2026 \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=Macworld}}</ref>. This gives users the choice between an underpowered base model, or paying a multiple of common industry prices<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hussain \|first=Imran \|date=2019-12-03 \|title=Apple Sells 16GB RAM for $400 – Almost 700% Higher Price Than Other OEMs \|url=https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250818140226/https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ \|archive-date=18 Aug 2025\|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=WCCFTech}}</ref> for higher-specc'ed versions. It should be noted that the price difference for the components that Apple would pay in manufacturing are within a few cents.		Apple sells many of their base models with storage and memory specifications that are well below the industry average, despite the memory having to do double duty as both main memory and graphics card memory<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Simon \|first=Michael \|date=2023-11-08 \|title=Apple defends 8GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro as ‘analogous to 16GB’ in a PC \|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222210559/https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html \|archive-date=22 Feb 2026\|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=Macworld}}</ref>. This gives users the choice between an underpowered base model, or paying a multiple of common industry prices<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hussain \|first=Imran \|date=2019-12-03 \|title=Apple Sells 16GB RAM for $400 – Almost 700% Higher Price Than Other OEMs \|url=https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250818140226/https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ \|archive-date=18 Aug 2025\|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=WCCFTech}}</ref> for higher-specc'ed versions. It should be noted that the price difference for the components that Apple would pay in manufacturing are within a few cents.

	This leaves buyers in a difficult situation: Either they user has to pay significantly more at the time of purchase, or the user has to buy a new device much earlier than would otherwise be necessary. Some models even have limits for the amount of memory the user can choose, thus forcing them into more expensive models if they want more.		This leaves buyers in a difficult situation: Either they user has to pay significantly more at the time of purchase, or the user has to buy a new device much earlier than would otherwise be necessary. Some models even have limits for the amount of memory the user can choose, thus forcing them into more expensive models if they want more.

Bananabot: Re-archived 1 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-22T21:06:30Z

Re-archived 1 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:06, 22 February 2026
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	Most contemporary Apple devices do not have upgradeable or replaceable storage and memory.		Most contemporary Apple devices do not have upgradeable or replaceable storage and memory.

	Apple sells many of their base models with storage and memory specifications that are well below the industry average, despite the memory having to do double duty as both main memory and graphics card memory<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Simon \|first=Michael \|date=2023-11-08 \|title=Apple defends 8GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro as ‘analogous to 16GB’ in a PC \|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/dybyp \|archive-date=7 Jan 2026 \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=Macworld}}</ref>. This gives users the choice between an underpowered base model, or paying a multiple of common industry prices<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hussain \|first=Imran \|date=2019-12-03 \|title=Apple Sells 16GB RAM for $400 – Almost 700% Higher Price Than Other OEMs \|url=https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://~~archive~~.ph/~~SFbRr~~ \|archive-date=~~7 Jan 2026~~ \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=WCCFTech}}</ref> for higher-specc'ed versions. It should be noted that the price difference for the components that Apple would pay in manufacturing are within a few cents.		Apple sells many of their base models with storage and memory specifications that are well below the industry average, despite the memory having to do double duty as both main memory and graphics card memory<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Simon \|first=Michael \|date=2023-11-08 \|title=Apple defends 8GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro as ‘analogous to 16GB’ in a PC \|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/dybyp \|archive-date=7 Jan 2026 \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=Macworld}}</ref>. This gives users the choice between an underpowered base model, or paying a multiple of common industry prices<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hussain \|first=Imran \|date=2019-12-03 \|title=Apple Sells 16GB RAM for $400 – Almost 700% Higher Price Than Other OEMs \|url=https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250818140226/https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ \|archive-date=18 Aug 2025\|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=WCCFTech}}</ref> for higher-specc'ed versions. It should be noted that the price difference for the components that Apple would pay in manufacturing are within a few cents.

	This leaves buyers in a difficult situation: Either they user has to pay significantly more at the time of purchase, or the user has to buy a new device much earlier than would otherwise be necessary. Some models even have limits for the amount of memory the user can choose, thus forcing them into more expensive models if they want more.		This leaves buyers in a difficult situation: Either they user has to pay significantly more at the time of purchase, or the user has to buy a new device much earlier than would otherwise be necessary. Some models even have limits for the amount of memory the user can choose, thus forcing them into more expensive models if they want more.

Bythmusters: Fixed redundant cargo info

2026-01-13T06:45:29Z

Fixed redundant cargo info

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:45, 13 January 2026
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	{{StubNotice}}{{IncidentCargo		{{StubNotice}}{{IncidentCargo
	\|Company=Apple		\|Company=Apple
			\|StartDate=
			\|EndDate=
			\|Status=Active, Pending Resolution, Resolved
			\|ProductLine=
			\|Product=
	\|ArticleType=Product		\|ArticleType=Product
	\|Type=Repairability, ~~Repairability &~~ Ownership ~~Restriction~~, Digital ~~restrictions, Planned Obsolesence~~, Planned Obsolescence, Service Termination		\|Type=Repairability, Ownership, Digital Restrictions, Planned Obsolescence, Service Termination
	\|Description=Apple's behaviors have contributed to the company's hardware being converted to e-waste, such as with removing legacy-supported software		\|Description=Apple's behaviors have contributed to the company's hardware being converted to e-waste, such as with removing legacy-supported software.
	}}Since the inception of the [[iPhone]] in 2007, [[Apple]] has contributed severely to the production of e-waste from its products by blocking consumers in various methods. This has ranged from [[Apple authorized repair\|authorized repair]], to the blocking of sideloading 3rd-party software, and disposing of legacy apps and legacy appstore access.<!-- This might actually be a theme article now that I think about it...		}}
			Since the inception of the [[iPhone]] in 2007, [[Apple]] has contributed severely to the production of e-waste from its products by blocking consumers in various methods. This has ranged from [[Apple authorized repair\|authorized repair]], to the blocking of sideloading 3rd-party software, and disposing of legacy apps and legacy appstore access.<!-- This might actually be a theme article now that I think about it...
	- JamesTDG -->		- JamesTDG -->

BobSagetFan1212: added archive link with archive date

2026-01-07T22:05:20Z

added archive link with archive date

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:05, 7 January 2026
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	Most contemporary Apple devices do not have upgradeable or replaceable storage and memory.		Most contemporary Apple devices do not have upgradeable or replaceable storage and memory.

	Apple sells many of their base models with storage and memory specifications that are well below the industry average, despite the memory having to do double duty as both main memory and graphics card memory<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Simon \|first=Michael \|date=2023-11-08 \|title=Apple defends 8GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro as ‘analogous to 16GB’ in a PC \|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=Macworld}}</ref>. This gives users the choice between an underpowered base model, or paying a multiple of common industry prices<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hussain \|first=Imran \|date=2019-12-03 \|title=Apple Sells 16GB RAM for $400 – Almost 700% Higher Price Than Other OEMs \|url=https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=WCCFTech}}</ref> for higher-specc'ed versions. It should be noted that the price difference for the components that Apple would pay in manufacturing are within a few cents.		Apple sells many of their base models with storage and memory specifications that are well below the industry average, despite the memory having to do double duty as both main memory and graphics card memory<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Simon \|first=Michael \|date=2023-11-08 \|title=Apple defends 8GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro as ‘analogous to 16GB’ in a PC \|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/dybyp \|archive-date=7 Jan 2026 \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=Macworld}}</ref>. This gives users the choice between an underpowered base model, or paying a multiple of common industry prices<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hussain \|first=Imran \|date=2019-12-03 \|title=Apple Sells 16GB RAM for $400 – Almost 700% Higher Price Than Other OEMs \|url=https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/SFbRr \|archive-date=7 Jan 2026 \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=WCCFTech}}</ref> for higher-specc'ed versions. It should be noted that the price difference for the components that Apple would pay in manufacturing are within a few cents.

	This leaves buyers in a difficult situation: Either they user has to pay significantly more at the time of purchase, or the user has to buy a new device much earlier than would otherwise be necessary. Some models even have limits for the amount of memory the user can choose, thus forcing them into more expensive models if they want more.		This leaves buyers in a difficult situation: Either they user has to pay significantly more at the time of purchase, or the user has to buy a new device much earlier than would otherwise be necessary. Some models even have limits for the amount of memory the user can choose, thus forcing them into more expensive models if they want more.

MrTuttle: /* Blocking third party apps */ Clearer grammar, removed orphaned citation reference

2025-11-12T13:06:02Z

Blocking third party apps: Clearer grammar, removed orphaned citation reference

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:06, 12 November 2025
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	When a device loses manufacturer support and the App Store stops working, or when Apple deletes or blocks versions of apps from the store which are compatible with that version of the operating system, the user no longer has any way to install or re-install any software on their devices.		When a device loses manufacturer support and the App Store stops working, or when Apple deletes or blocks versions of apps from the store which are compatible with that version of the operating system, the user no longer has any way to install or re-install any software on their devices.

	~~This also means that if~~ devices are factory reset to be handed to other people or to be sold on the used market, the built-in first party apps are the only ones that remain accessible.		If such devices are factory reset, either to be handed to other people or to be sold on the used market, the built-in first party apps are the only ones that remain accessible.

	Moreover, Apple does not appear to always test new versions of apps on old hardware, so sometimes the last update to an app breaks it for that device, sometimes due to bugs, sometimes due to increased memory requirements.~~[1]~~ Since the App Store allows no downgrades, this leaves the user with an app that is unusable on that model of device. If Apple allowed either app downgrades or independent installation of apps, these devices would remain completely functional for users of those apps.		Moreover, Apple does not appear to always test new versions of apps on old hardware, so sometimes the last update to an app breaks it for that device, sometimes due to bugs, sometimes due to increased memory requirements. Since the App Store allows no downgrades, this leaves the user with an app that is unusable on that model of device. If Apple allowed either app downgrades or independent installation of apps, these devices would remain completely functional for users of those apps.

	===Blocking third party browsers===		===Blocking third party browsers===
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	{{Ph-I-ConR}}		{{Ph-I-ConR}}

	== See also ==		==See also==
	[[Right to repair]]		[[Right to repair]]

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson: +see also

2025-11-10T15:54:51Z

+see also

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:54, 10 November 2025
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	===Blocking operating system downgrades<!-- Will emulate "Operating system downgrades" from parent article -->===		===Blocking operating system downgrades<!-- Will emulate "Operating system downgrades" from parent article -->===

	=== Activation Lock ===		===Activation Lock===
	Apple prevents activation of devices that have not been unlocked by the initial owner before giving them away, selling or recycling them.		Apple prevents activation of devices that have not been unlocked by the initial owner before giving them away, selling or recycling them.

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	{{Ph-I-ConR}}		{{Ph-I-ConR}}

			== See also ==
			[[Right to repair]]

	==References==		==References==

MrTuttle: /* Relevant incidents */ Added a basic draft about activation lock, but this could use reworking by someone more familiar with how it works in detail

2025-09-16T18:16:38Z

Relevant incidents: Added a basic draft about activation lock, but this could use reworking by someone more familiar with how it works in detail

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:16, 16 September 2025
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	===Blocking operating system downgrades<!-- Will emulate "Operating system downgrades" from parent article -->===		===Blocking operating system downgrades<!-- Will emulate "Operating system downgrades" from parent article -->===

			=== Activation Lock ===
			Apple prevents activation of devices that have not been unlocked by the initial owner before giving them away, selling or recycling them.

			The reason cited by Apple is theft prevention, but it has been argued that this practice may be in place to prevent second hand sales and recycling of devices since they would compete with new devices, and Apple only makes a profit on the latter.

			This leads to a colossal amount of e-waste from devices where the previous owner has not disabled the activation lock. It also makes the devices dependent on Apple services. If Apple one day decides to no longer support this procedure for a particular model, it becomes impossible to use. Aside from putting undue restrictions on what consumers can do with their devices, this also makes historic preservation very challenging.

			A simple solution to the theft problem could be to send previous owners an e-mail to the address linked to their Apple ID with an option to either consent to the release of the activation lock or report their device as stolen. A default answer (either allow or deny unlock) could be chosen if the user does not make a choice within a reasonable timeframe, for instance if the e-mail address is no longer in use. However, Apple has so far chosen not to implement a system like this.

	===Underpowered base models===		===Underpowered base models===

MrTuttle: /* Relevant incidents */ Remove greenwashing section and move it to main Apple page

2025-09-16T15:37:56Z

Relevant incidents: Remove greenwashing section and move it to main Apple page

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:37, 16 September 2025
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	===Blocking operating system downgrades<!-- Will emulate "Operating system downgrades" from parent article -->===		===Blocking operating system downgrades<!-- Will emulate "Operating system downgrades" from parent article -->===

	~~===Greenwashing<!-- Depending on where the focus of this article will go, it may make more sense to split this into its own article -->===~~
	Apple claims to be environmentally friendly and invests significant amounts of funds in corresponding PR campaigns,<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Environment {{!}} Mother Nature \|url=https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=Apple}}</ref> but the reality is not quite as green.

	~~Customers are lead to think that their purchases and frequent replacement of their devices do not have a negative impact on the environment, which is not the case.~~

	~~====Green energy sharing====~~
	Apple shares manufacturing capacity at Chinese/Taiwanese companies FoxConn and Pegatron with other companies. If Apple uses a hypothetical 20% of their manufacturing capacity, and company B, C, D, and E also each take up 20%, and the company doing the manufacturing runs on 20% renewably generated energy, now Apple as well as companies B, C, D, and E will each publicly claim that their manufacturing runs 100% on renewable energy. In other words, each company will claim the 20% renewable energy was used for ''their'' production.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Gieselmann \|first=Hartmut \|date=2023 \|title=Von wegen CO2-neutral – Umweltexperten werfen Apple Greenwashing vor \|url=https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 \|journal=c't Magazin für Computertechnik [Germany] \|volume=2023 \|issue=23 \|pages=49}}</ref>
	~~====CO<small>2</small> Certificates and forest projects====~~
	…

	~~====The packaging trick====~~
	Apple, like many companies, regularly emphasises how environmentally friendly their packaging is and highlight advancements in this area.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Apple 2030 – We’ve reduced our emissions by over 60% \|url=https://www.apple.com/environment/ \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=Apple}}</ref>

	This deliberately distracts from the fact that only a negligible fraction of the environmental footprint of an electronic device comes from the packaging, as it is made of siginificant amounts or rare earth minerals, metals and mined components and consuming vast amounts of energy, water and fuel in manufacturing and transport.

	Some of the environmental advancements touted by Apple could also be argued to be environmentally beneficial side effects of purely economic decisions aimed at maximizing profit, such as shipping iPhones without chargers.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Dragan \|first=Lauren \|date=2023-09-12 \|title=iPhones No Longer Come With a Charger or Headphones. Here’s What to Get If You Need Them. \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/iphone-12-charger-headphones-options/ \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=The New York Times}}</ref>

	===Underpowered base models===		===Underpowered base models===

MrTuttle: /* Green energy sharing */ FoxConn is Taiwanese owned

2025-09-15T20:51:09Z

Green energy sharing: FoxConn is Taiwanese owned

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:51, 15 September 2025
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	====Green energy sharing====		====Green energy sharing====
	Apple shares manufacturing capacity at Chinese companies FoxConn and Pegatron with other companies. If Apple uses a hypothetical 20% of their manufacturing capacity, and company B, C, D, and E also each take up 20%, and the company doing the manufacturing runs on 20% renewably generated energy, now Apple as well as companies B, C, D, and E will each publicly claim that their manufacturing runs 100% on renewable energy. In other words, each company will claim the 20% renewable energy was used for ''their'' production.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Gieselmann \|first=Hartmut \|date=2023 \|title=Von wegen CO2-neutral – Umweltexperten werfen Apple Greenwashing vor \|url=https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 \|journal=c't Magazin für Computertechnik [Germany] \|volume=2023 \|issue=23 \|pages=49}}</ref>		Apple shares manufacturing capacity at Chinese/Taiwanese companies FoxConn and Pegatron with other companies. If Apple uses a hypothetical 20% of their manufacturing capacity, and company B, C, D, and E also each take up 20%, and the company doing the manufacturing runs on 20% renewably generated energy, now Apple as well as companies B, C, D, and E will each publicly claim that their manufacturing runs 100% on renewable energy. In other words, each company will claim the 20% renewable energy was used for ''their'' production.<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Gieselmann \|first=Hartmut \|date=2023 \|title=Von wegen CO2-neutral – Umweltexperten werfen Apple Greenwashing vor \|url=https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 \|journal=c't Magazin für Computertechnik [Germany] \|volume=2023 \|issue=23 \|pages=49}}</ref>
	====CO<small>2</small> Certificates and forest projects====		====CO<small>2</small> Certificates and forest projects====
	…		…

MrTuttle: /* Greenwashing */ Add comment note

2025-09-15T20:05:50Z

Greenwashing: Add comment note

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:05, 15 September 2025
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	===Blocking operating system downgrades<!-- Will emulate "Operating system downgrades" from parent article -->===		===Blocking operating system downgrades<!-- Will emulate "Operating system downgrades" from parent article -->===

	===Greenwashing===		===Greenwashing<!-- Depending on where the focus of this article will go, it may make more sense to split this into its own article -->===
	Apple claims to be environmentally friendly and invests significant amounts of funds in corresponding PR campaigns,<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Environment {{!}} Mother Nature \|url=https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=Apple}}</ref> but the reality is not quite as green.		Apple claims to be environmentally friendly and invests significant amounts of funds in corresponding PR campaigns,<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Environment {{!}} Mother Nature \|url=https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ \|access-date=2025-09-15 \|website=Apple}}</ref> but the reality is not quite as green.