iFixit: Some iPhones with replaced batteries cannot update

Some iPhones that have a battery that has been replaced with a non-original one cannot update. This is reported by repair site iFixit. Apple has not yet responded to the apparent blocking of updates.

iPhone: unable to verify update. Source: iFixit

Apple customers experiencing the issue are seeing update verification fail, reports iFixit. The message seems to indicate that the phone is not connected to the internet, even though it is. The problem initially only occurred on European models of iPhones, but iFixit now also sees it in the US.

So far, the problems only occur with the iPhone 11 and higher. Apple is telling customers affected that they “should have had their repairs done through Apple.” This is difficult for many customers, because repairs that Apple carries out are often more expensive and the necessary stores are not located nearby. Replacing the battery is one of the most commonly performed repairs.

It is unknown why Apple would impose the blockade. The hardware maker has often put up blocks to third-party repairs of its phones, including tightly gluing batteries, notifications in the software and deactivating important functions such as automatic white balance of the screen or Face ID.