Parts Pairing Threatens Independent Repair

Manufacturers' software locks on replacement parts make it harder and more expensive for consumers to fix their own devices.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 9:13am

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The growing trend of 'parts pairing' in electronics manufacturing is making it increasingly difficult for consumers and independent repair shops to fix their own devices. Manufacturers are using software barriers to prevent the replacement of parts like batteries and displays, even with genuine parts from the same manufacturer. This forces consumers to go to authorized repair centers and pay high prices, or risk losing key device functionality. Repair advocates argue this practice is driven by profit motives rather than legitimate security or safety concerns, and are calling for manufacturers to provide the necessary software tools to allow independent repairs.

Why it matters

Parts pairing threatens the ability of consumers and independent repair shops to extend the life of their devices, leading to more electronic waste. It also gives manufacturers an unfair advantage by forcing consumers to use their authorized repair services at high prices. This issue impacts a wide range of electronics, from smartphones to farming equipment, and highlights the broader 'right to repair' movement fighting against manufacturer control over product repairs.

The details

Parts pairing refers to the use of software locks that prevent the replacement of certain device components, like batteries and displays, even with genuine manufacturer parts. When a new part is installed, the device may display error messages or lose key functionality until the part is 'paired' with the device using the manufacturer's proprietary software - which is only available to authorized repair centers. This forces consumers to either pay high prices for manufacturer repairs or resort to complex workarounds like microsoldering to restore full device functionality. Manufacturers claim parts pairing is necessary for security and safety, but critics argue it is primarily a profit-driven strategy to control the repair market.

  • The parts pairing trend has been growing over the past decade, with the number of iPhone parts subject to pairing increasing from 2 in 2015 to 9 in 2020.
  • In 2021, repair YouTuber Hugh Jeffreys demonstrated parts pairing issues with Samsung Galaxy A51 phones, where swapping genuine Samsung parts caused the loss of fingerprint scanning functionality.

The players

Apple

A major electronics manufacturer that has implemented parts pairing on a variety of components in its iPhone and other devices, forcing consumers to use authorized Apple repair services.

Samsung

A leading smartphone manufacturer that has also been found to have parts pairing issues, where swapping genuine Samsung parts can cause the loss of device functionality.

John Deere

An agricultural equipment manufacturer that has used parts pairing and software locks to limit farmers' ability to repair their own farming machinery, forcing them to rely on authorized Deere repair services.

Right to Repair movement

A consumer advocacy movement fighting for the right of consumers and independent repair shops to access the necessary parts, tools, and information to repair their own devices.

Hugh Jeffreys

A repair YouTuber who has demonstrated parts pairing issues with Samsung smartphones.

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What they’re saying

“I'm unfamiliar with the specific variables that could have come into play with this repair or the unsubstantiated comments from Mr. Jeffrey. What I can tell you is that there is no requirement to pair parts on our smartphones. If a repair were conducted correctly, a device would not lose functionality.”

— Samsung representative

“The trend is clear, while in 2015 only 2 iPhone parts were serialized, in 2020 that number had increased to 9 with the majority being non-replaceable by anyone but the OEM without loss of functionality.”

— Chloé Mikolajczak, European Right to Repair campaign

“You have to pay for training because learning on your own is hard, you have to pay for tools, you need microscopes, you need soldering irons, that's an extra 1,000 bucks. In the time you actually spend learning you're going to burn up some phones.”

— Alexandre Isaac, Founder, The Repair Academy

What’s next

Repair advocates are calling on manufacturers to either provide the necessary software tools to allow independent repairs without losing device functionality, or to abandon parts pairing entirely. They argue this practice is driven by profit motives rather than legitimate security or safety concerns, and is harming consumers, independent repair shops, and the environment.

The takeaway

Parts pairing is a growing threat to the ability of consumers and independent repair shops to fix their own devices, forcing them to rely on expensive authorized repair services from manufacturers. This practice is seen as an anti-competitive tactic driven by profit motives, and is fueling the broader 'right to repair' movement fighting for consumers' freedom to choose how to maintain and extend the life of their electronics.